Doctors/Nurses - ? About anemia -Can anemia really cause heart palpitations, s.o.b., and really severe fatigue

Question

28 y/o/ female - Doctor wants me to go to hematologist - Ive had anemia for about 2 yrs now, take 4 prescription Fe a day. He says my total iron store should be about 100-120, they are 17. Why isnt the iron working? And can is cause really bad fatigue ??- I sleep about 12 hours a day...I also have Systemis Lupus - Any info about iron/anemia would be really helpful - Thanks!

Answer 1

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells throughout the body. Without enough iron, the body produces fewer and smaller red blood cells. As a result, less hemoglobin is available, and your body’s cells do not get enough oxygen.

Iron deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body. Low iron levels can occur because of:

Heavy menstrual bleeding.
Bleeding caused by conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, cancer, or regular aspirin use. People with these conditions may not be aware that they are losing blood. This type of bleeding is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and in women past menopause.
Lack of iron in the diet. This is a special risk for those with high iron requirements, such as small children, teens, and pregnant women.
Poor absorption of iron by the body. This is not a common cause of iron deficiency, but it may occur in people who have conditions such as celiac disease or who have had part of their stomach or small intestine removed.

You may not know you have iron deficiency anemia because it develops slowly and can cause symptoms that are so mild you may not notice them. As the deficiency gets worse, it may cause you to:

Feel weak and tire out more easily.
Feel dizzy.
Be irritable.
Have headaches.
Look very pale.
Feel short of breath.
Have trouble concentrating.

Since you have an underlying disease that affects many organs you should definitely see the Hematologist!

Answer 2

Anemia (I call it "anaemia" but it's the same thing) is where you have low hemoglobin (a protein that binds Oxygen) in your blood.

It certainly can cause fatigue and shortness of breath. I'm not sure it would cause palpitations of itself, but certainly it can cause a rapid heart beat.

Your anemia could be caused by iron deficiency (see next poster), but Lupus also causes another form of anemia called "hemolytic anemia".

I am not sure why your iron is not working. Perhaps you are not absorbing it. Have you had iron injections?

I agree with the first poster - you should see a hematologist. Your condition is a bit more complex than what your usual doctor would see and treat.

Answer 3

Why don't you go to the hematologist?

Your anemia is likely either caused by or made worse by your lupus.

It amazes me, I have been in practice for 15 years and it still amazes me that people like you will ask complete strangers about medicine when you already have a valid medical opinion.

I don't get it.

GO SEE THE HEMATOLOGIST