Am i anemic?

Question

Hi I am a 20 year old female, I just had my physical today and I told the doctor how i have been sleeping alot lately, my period has been heavier than usual. This has been the case for several months now. She told me that I am anemic. I have noticed that I get cold very easily during times when the it's not really cold. My does turn pale sometimes, lips are dry almost all the time. I am a college student, and my workload expects me to stay up late nights but I can never stay up, I am goner after 10pm. Also I have noticied that I have been losing hair, my hair is getting thiner. I have a hard time paying attention in class, I start to fall asleep like 15 minutes into my leacture, and this can be seen with my grades dropping. My appetite: somes days i eat and eat, whereas other days i have one meal and dont feel the need for anyhting else. I weigh 114lbs and am 5'2, so I know i m not thin thin, because i have read that anemics are thin. Am I anemic or something else, please help!

I also have been dealing with acne, my acne has gotten worse in the past year, i know for women they get at time of their period, but for my case i get it reguarlily. I want to know if this has a connection to anemia?

Answer 1

You may want to have a thyroid test done. I can't believe your doctor didn't think of that too. What do your eat? Healthy food, at least three meals a day is necessary. Also, water is essential. Stop all sodas and caffiene. At your age, you want to get yourself on a healthier track before you become really ill and can't get back on track. I suggest you get a new doctor and have a full work up; blood, thyroid, etc. That way, it will put your mind at ease and you will know what is going on. But begin right now to eat healthy and start to limit your load if it is stressing you to the point of harming your health. It isn't worth it.

Answer 2

All people with anaemia are not thin. Did your doc. do a blood test to confirm anaemia? Hair loss can be a symptom of anaemia as well as tiredness. Also your diet too. Once you have ben diagnosed with a blood test (as it could be thyroid), then treatment makes such a difference. It takes a couple of months to really start feeling on top of things again but the difference is amazing.

Answer 3

Anemia and heavy periods almost go hand in hand with most female cases. I suggest eating iron rich foods such spinach and meats and whole milk. Also if put on an iron supplement then to take it with orange juice as it will help your body absorb it before digestion. After 2-3 weeks go and get another cbc for levels and function.

Answer 4

I agree with madformac, i am a hypothyroid and your symptoms are alot like those of hypothyroid do a internet research on this and you will see one symptom is overweight but I am not over weight so this is not always so. Have them run all the test they can.

http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/archive_hypothyroidism.