Anemic when a Teen..?

Question

May I ask what was your experience with anemia like? Did it improve when you were older? Did it ever become extreme?

I recently learned that I'm anemic from a low blood count but I feel just fine so far and I don't have any symptoms. I'm not scared but I'm just wondering if my situation is normal. Thank you :)

ramon k thank you it was my dr. who told me. And she told me it was most likely iron deficency anemia. I'm taking an iron supplement and vitamin C and I will see her again in 3 months.

Answer 1

A lot of young women can be somewhat anemic, especially due to monthly menstruation. It is fairly common and you probably don't need to worry about it. But eating healthily and making sure you get enough iron should be helpful. Green veggies like spinach should help you out there.

I have been mildly anemic for several years but it hasn't really affected my life. I have low blood pressure which can sometimes make me feel faint or dizzy if I haven't eaten and/or I've been standing too long, but it's not too big a deal. I just try to make sure I eat regularly. It has prevented me from donating blood (usually they do a test to make sure you have a certain hematocrit, which is the measure of your blood cells). I do believe it is supposed to get better with age.

Answer 2

Anaemia occurs when the amount of haemoglobin (found in the red blood cells) drops below normal. Haemoglobin is necessary for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. There are many different types of anaemia.
Most common type is Iron Deficiency anaemia.
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common of the anaemias and is usually due to bleeding. In women, iron deficiency may be due to heavy menstrual periods, but in older women and in men, the bleeding is usually from disease of the intestines. In children and in pregnant women, the body needs more iron, and iron deficiency may be due simply to not eating enough iron in the diet. Iron deficiency may also result from some extreme diets. Treatment of iron deficiency usually involves iron supplements. In older women and in men, there is usually also some further testing to determine why the person is iron deficient.

Blood tests may show a normal or low haemoglobin, decreased iron, ferritin, and all red blood cell indices. The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) or transferrin will be increased. The ferritin test is considered to be the most specific for identifying iron deficiency anaemia.
Other types of anaemia are Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, Aplastic Anaemias and Haemolytic Anaemias .
The doctor could recognise type of your anaemia based on few blood test.
I suggest you consult your family doctor rather than wait at home to be symptomatic. (most probably you are having asymptomatic iron deficiency anaemia secondary to menstruation ).

Answer 3

i never experienced anything like that- but i just want to pass on some general medical wisdom. Even if you are not having symptoms-or just small ones- you need to act on them and not let that stuff get you down by not taking care of the problem when it was small. go in for all of your test and adhere to EVERYTHING you are told to do-take ALL of your pills or finish evry treatment completely. it would behoove you to do your own research and learn everything YOU can about your condition, so nothing is a surprise to you. Keep a positive outlook, it might be a temporary thing for you, i hope. I also hope this helps.