I've been a vegetarian now for 8 weeks and i keep getting light headed and my blood is very thin.?

Question

Every time i stand up i get light headed and any time i get poked with anything sharp or cut i bleed more than normal and it won't stop. i'm bruising easily and getting weaker. Should i start taking vitamins or something?

Answer 1

You need to see a doctor. It sounds like you are not meeting your nutrional needs. It's possible that you are experiencing drops in blood sugar and possible iron deficiency.

The fact that you are bruising easily and bleeding more makes me think that your platelet count could also be low (platelets are what make your blood clot).

The human body has specific needs to function normally. If you intend to remain a vegetarian, you need to speak with a nutritionist to make sure you are meeting those needs.

Until you do, EAT. Vitamins are not a cure-all. You could be slowly starving yourself and your body is trying to tell you something. You are putting your health at serious risk and you are already experiencing some adverse effects.

Answer 2

First of all, How long have you been a meat eater? When you convert to becoming a vegetarian you need to take small steps. It's never a good idea to cut out all meat all at once. You really should just cut out one thing at a time. Your body is used to eating the types of proteins and other nutrients found in meat. If you are not meeting those needs by what you are eating now you can have some set backs.

I am a vegetarian and I think it is much healthier. But take it slow. As for your bleeding problems you need to see a doctor about that. Something else is going on. I can't imagine though that this bleeding has anything to do with not eating meat. You should have your iron and platelets (called thrombin and prothrombin time ( PT, PTT)) checked.

Answer 3

I become a Vegetarian 2 months ago! And the first week I was light headed too! I had that woozy pressure feeling and I know it sucks! I started all of a sudden as well to! I watched some scary PETA videos and then I just couldn't imagine eating another chicken. I'm lacto-ovu-vegetarian TOO! k I know this is weird. Lol. But I think it's because girls like us didn't get enough protein. Go make some toast with peanut butter.. Alot of it! Lol P.B. Has alot of protein, eggs do too, and Tofu. Also if you really thinks it's iron, not protein, eat some broccoli (very iron enriched) and red bell peppers (helps absorb plant sourced iron). But I take iron pills :) but I thinks that's just cause my family is low on iron. Girls lose alot of Iron through menstruation so us women need more. But I really think it's protein. Do you also have the no energy feeling? Well Good Luck! :) hope I helped

Answer 4

You need to find out what you need to eat to replace the protiens that you are not longer getting from meat. You have an iron deficieny. I'm not a vegetarian but I know people who are and they are very careful to take in the protiens the need. I think leguimes are the best source but I'm not sure. The vegans I know are also on a raw food only diet and I just can't picture munching on a handful of dried peas or lentils.

Your symptoms sound exactly like my wifes during her first pregnancy. The very smell of meat made her nausous so she just didn't eat meat. The doctors put her on iron suppliments.

Answer 5

have you been feeling depressed too?
Iron could be your defficiency, normlly you would get this from red meat. Also bruising can be caused by lack of B12, folic acid and vitamis Cand K.
lack of iron causes anemia, which sounds like what you have here. take vitamins, or eat spinach or other ireon rich veg.


Many adults with mild iron deficiency experience no obvious problems, other than vague symptoms of tiredness, headache, irritability, or depression, and do not show obvious signs or symptoms of anaemia. Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include pale skin, brittle fingernails, tiredness, weakness, apathy, breathlessness especially on physical exertion, giddiness, palpitations, reduced immune function, inadequate temperature regulation, loss of appetite, headache, behavioural disturbances and reduced intellectual performance. The fatigue is caused by insufficient synthesis of red blood cells and cytochromes. These symptoms are similar to those of other health problems and diseases, making it very difficult to self-diagnose anaemia. If you are concerned about your iron level a simple blood test at your local medical centre will give an accurate indication of your current iron status. Iron deficiency anaemia will be signalled by the presence of microcytic (abnormally small) blood cells and very low haemoglobin levels in the blood.


http://www.vnv.org.au/Nutrition/Iron.htm

Answer 6

i did this, i lasted 3 months been a vegetarian, this happens because your body is used to meet and grease, this is what meet provides, after you stopped taking meet your body is struggling because of your new diet, you can start by taking some vitamins, after this you can start on meets again.
(p.s. ask a doctor about the vitamins, vitamins are not for every one.) then if you still want to be a vegetarian you can start by eating more vegetables with your meets. After a week or two of this start leaving the meet little by little until you get used to vegetables and fruit again. good luck.

Answer 7

You should go to a doctor, dietician or other health practitioner and consult them about what you need to eat in your diet.

You could be lacking sufficient iron, protein or vitamins.

Any of these can be serious but are easily remedied with the right advice.

Make a note of the foods you are eating, and ask advice about what you need to eat to get the most benefit from your diet.

Good luck and best wishes :-)

Answer 8

You really ought to speak to a doctor, but you definitely should be taking a multivitamin. These symptoms could be from lack of iron, vitamin K, or vitamin C.

Answer 9

No , if you are eating meat for a long time, you should stop it step by step. Thats simple science. Try to vist a doctor and get him to check your evrything.. if you are newly married you must eat some well ;-)

Answer 10

You need more jelly(jello) and stout,some cod liver oil too.

Take that for 2 weeks and you'll be an indestructable tank of a man.
.