Told I'm Anaemic?

Question

I got my Blood checked in February and my Iron came back as 10.2 which the Doc said is low. He gave me Iron Tablets which I don't like taking. I got my blood checked again on Tuesday and my Iron this time is 5.4. Can anyone shed some light on this for me.?Can this get dangerous. What is normal Levels?

I was told that for menstruating women a normal level is 13 - 15 ????
Any Docs in the room

Maybe it is not Iron lacking. In feb when whatever it was was 10.2 I was given Iron. My husband had an appointment yesterday and came back saying the doc said it was getting worse at 5.4 and gave him a prescription for more Iron and told me to come in for more blood tests. Iron studies and B12 folate

Answer 1

If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Your iron might be too low because of heavy periods, pregnancy, ulcers, colon polyps, colon cancer, inherited disorders or a diet that does not have enough iron. You can also get anemia from not getting enough folic acid or vitamin B 12. Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or cancer may also lead to anemia.

Anemia can make you feel weak, cold, dizzy and irritable. It is confirmed with a blood test. Treatment depends on the kind of anemia you have.

Go to this website for more links to help you find out the different treatments and types:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html

I think your doctor needs to research the cause of your anemia. If he doesn't seem aggressive enough in his investigations then find another doctor!

Answer 2

Normal RBCs (red blood cells) values in females is between 3.9 and 5.2. Normal hemoglobin levels are 12-16. If 5.4 was your red blood cell level you should be doing well on the iron. I know you don't like taking it, but you should do as the doctor said. If you are a woman who has monthly periods it's COMPLETELY normal to be a little anemic from time to time. It's really nothing to worry about. Most women do have times of being anemic. If you notice easy bruising or more pale than usual, see your doctor. Only they can diagnose exactly what's going on with your system. Take the iron like they told you and if it upsets your tummy take it with food. If it makes you constipated you can use a mild stool softener like Colace 100 mg found at any pharmacy in the over-the-counter section. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure of the normal levels but I know I fainted and the doc said I might be anaemic. Take the tablets you really should. I don't have to have any blood tests yet but when I do I'll let you know the results.

Answer 4

Yes it can be detrimental if left unchecked. But don't worry, take the medication your Doc has prescribed. Do some reading on diet as certain foods ease/affect the absorbtion of iron.

Answer 5

you must take the iron tablets...they wont do you any harm..they will make your number twos go black in colour but that is what they are meant to be
if you are anaemic you can lost weight and find it hard to put back on.
take the pills before you get to weak and tiered all the time..which im sure you must be feeling....do you have mood swings?? if so this is to do with being anaemic.
take them and make yourselve better :)

Answer 6

between 4 an 7 is normal
Tina

Answer 7

usually it should be 14G, a lot of factors may be responsible ranging from worms to malnutrition, you better get your stool, urine and liver functions tested to narrow down the cause,anyway 10.2 is not much low ,

Answer 8

probably bad diet you want to cut out the junk food/fast food and start cooking healthy meals

Answer 9

yes it can eat liver and red meat

Answer 10

well I to am anamic and I don't take the pills just take some vitamans