degree of anemia

I just got my blood work back and was wondering if there are degress of anemia.  I have to admit I am quite tired but shoudl i contribute it to the anemia or just being tired.

Here are my levels:

Red blood Cells: 3.64

Hemoglobin: 10.1

Hemotocrit: 30.5

Ferritin: 4

Total iron: 31

Saturation: 8

B12: 247- this was within the normal range

Are these considered low enough for concern.  And.. if you can't tolerate iron pills.. what is there to do?

Prof

 

because of my rectal prolapse, I am deathly afraid of pills due to hard stools and constipation. Woudl only aggrevate that. But.. guess my numbers are better so.. why worry!!!

Prof,
The normal hemoglobin range for a man is 14 to 17, so you are low, and that will make you feel tired. For a woman, the range is 12 to 15. One time, my hemoglobin dropped to a 6, and I felt like I was going to pass out. I received a blood transfusion and felt much better within days.

Another time it dropped to a 9, and I received iron through I.V. Since you cannot tolerate pills, maybe I.V. iron would be the best way to go. I'd ask your doctor.

Good luck,
Cecilia

hey, you are doing about as good as me! i am hoping that my blood tests taken last tuesday show my hem is up to about 10.5. once i broke the 10 mark (3 weeks ago) i started to slowly work in surfing and weight training. i seem to be tolerating that ok so far, but i am conscious not to over do anything. i have found that taking a green drink gives me more energy. it is nature's energy drink. give it a try.

i have been told that "normal" hemoglobin is 12-14. a transfusion will increase it about 1 point for every pint of blood (this is what i was told when i had to get a transfusion in july cos my hem was down to 7).

i am on a regiment of medium rare red meat 2-3 x week, iron supplements in the form of dessicated organic buffalo liver (check our carlson labs), and i eat a lot of spinach. seems to be working for me. iron is supposed to promote the production of rbc's.

most iron supplements constipate you. the one i am taking is not having that effect on me. you want an animal based iron cos that is better than a plant based one (ie floradix). your body can use it better (sorry to skip the scientific reason as to why).

i also just started taking a b-12 supplement (you want this to be sublingual - ie under the tongue). generally, if you are anemic, your b-12 stores is low too.

you can also try eating liver....

Went to the GO today... my levels have been about the same and he did not mention taking iron.
The problem is.... i know I SHOUDLhave aksed... but didn;t, I was waiting for HIM to suggest it and because he didn;t.. figured I didn;t need it. I was wondering WHY my levels are low allthe time.. is it that I am a female???? the Crohns??? but do I ask. no... so... yes I am tired but now I have my self to blame. I do know he is rekuctant to put me on iron cuase of my porolapse and the constiaption would NOT help that!

He did say..I am a trooper"... with all that is wrong with me.. bu guess what.. I don:t WANT TO BE

My iron levels are consistantly low also.  My PCP put me on iron, but then my GI swiftly nixed that because it made my reflux a lot worse.  He said that it is not any lower than to be expected from a menstruating woman.  My PCP disagrees, but I still am not taking iron and I'm doing alright.  This has been going on for about 8-9 months now.  My iron levels haven't gotten any lower though, they just stay consistant.

Hi Prof...you know, if you're not comfortable with starting an iron supplement on your own, I would just call your doc's office and say you forgot to bring it up at your appointment! (Docs forget things and we have to remind them!) Just a thought... But beware if he says he'll give you a prescription iron supplement. That's what our doc did at first and it tore up my son's stomach. Live and learn... And yes, hemoglobin of 10.1 is low! Definitely low enough to make you feel lousy!

As far as not tolerating iron pills, we've had good luck with over-the-counter SlowFE because of the enteric coating. But CrazyHarry is right, the animal based is probably better for you. Also consider taking vit. C which facilitates iron absorption.

Hope your energy returns real soon!

Hi Prof,

Everyone has given you good suggestions.  I just want to add a few more!

I can't tolerate iron pills either, definetely can't deal with the constapation.  So when my ferrotin (iron stores) and hemoglobin go low (like yours), I do get iron infusions.  Just finished a round of them myself, and they really do help.  Please ask your dr. about them.

I've also been drinking Naked Juice's (brand) Superfood (name/type) lately.  You can get it at most grocery stores and even Costco.  It looks disgusting- green in color, but actually tastes yummy!  Ton's of fruit and vegetables in it, and it has ton's of iron.  I also try and eat a bowl of cream of wheat every morning.  A little butter and brown sugar and it's a warm delicious way to start your day.  It' got more iron in one serving then spinach does! 

Good luck and Good health!