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Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:39 pm to TheOcean
So the people that ordered the blood work didnt tell you what to do?
And if you take iron supplementa, dont be alarmed if your poop is green
And if you take iron supplementa, dont be alarmed if your poop is green
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:40 pm to TheOcean
Low iron isn't anemia, it's iron deficiency. Blood loss leading to low iron is iron deficiency anemia. Big difference.
If you had the blood work that showed low iron, you likely also had the test checking your blood counts. Unless they then scheduled you for a colonoscopy and/or stuck a finger in your arse, your actual blood counts likely weren't low (either that or you need a new doctor). Without blood loss, tons of things can cause low iron. Life-threatening causes are usually those associated WITH blood loss though. Usually dietary modifications and supplements will fix it.
The one thing that concerns me would be you talking about your lack of energy. Being anemic could cause this, but again, if your doctor didn't specifically talk to you about going down the "where are you losing blood" route, then it doesn't sound like this is the case. Some patients, once told they have something wrong (like low iron) can sometimes come up with new symptoms after knowing the diagnosis, like being told they have low iron and then saying, "well I have felt more tired recently." It isn't necessarily making it up or withholding information, we all want an explanation right then, and sometimes can try to come up with it ourselves.
Anyhow, good luck with the tests, enjoy the big arse steak, and let us know how it all works out.
If you had the blood work that showed low iron, you likely also had the test checking your blood counts. Unless they then scheduled you for a colonoscopy and/or stuck a finger in your arse, your actual blood counts likely weren't low (either that or you need a new doctor). Without blood loss, tons of things can cause low iron. Life-threatening causes are usually those associated WITH blood loss though. Usually dietary modifications and supplements will fix it.
The one thing that concerns me would be you talking about your lack of energy. Being anemic could cause this, but again, if your doctor didn't specifically talk to you about going down the "where are you losing blood" route, then it doesn't sound like this is the case. Some patients, once told they have something wrong (like low iron) can sometimes come up with new symptoms after knowing the diagnosis, like being told they have low iron and then saying, "well I have felt more tired recently." It isn't necessarily making it up or withholding information, we all want an explanation right then, and sometimes can try to come up with it ourselves.
Anyhow, good luck with the tests, enjoy the big arse steak, and let us know how it all works out.
This post was edited on 8/7/15 at 2:44 pm
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:40 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:
Oysters and clams are good.
Yes. Yes they are.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:41 pm to TheOcean
If you're not symptomatic, and not seeing any change in bowel habits, its probably nothing to worry about. Your recent diet change may be the culprit.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:42 pm to ksayetiger
quote:
And if you take iron supplementa, dont be alarmed if your poop is green
Or black!!! Ksayetiger makes a good point that I forgot. Iron supplements can change the color of your poop. Sometimes green, but more times black, which is also a big sign that your bleeding in your GI tract. As long as it wasn't black before the supplements, don't get freaked out when the sign they tell you to watch for suddenly appears in your poop.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:42 pm to MDTiger 13
quote:
The one thing that concerns me would be you talking about your lack of energy. Being anemic could cause this, but again, if your doctor didn't specifically talk to you about going down the "where are you losing blood" route, then it doesn't sound like this is the case. Some patients, once told they have something wrong (like low iron) can sometimes come up with new symptoms after knowing the diagnosis, like being told they have low iron and then saying, "well I have felt more tired recently." It isn't necessarily making it up or withholding information, we all want an explanation right then, and sometimes can try to come up with it ourselves.
Thanks, Doc
Had to go in for a TB shot when the nurse dropped the iron bomb on me. They're setting me up for some more blood work next week. I've always been on the slightly lethargic side, so I'm not too worried about that
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:52 pm to TheOcean
My wife has been told she has low iron and has had chronic fatigue for years. Doctors have run multiple tests on blood, thyroid, etc. Nothing else wrong. She has never been able to find a cure to the chronic fatigue though
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:57 pm to MDTiger 13
quote:
Ksayetiger makes a good point
My knowledge usually goes so underappreciated.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 2:58 pm to TheOcean
Very common
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:17 pm to TheOcean
Assuming you follow-up on the underlying cause part of this situation, you also need to be aware of the type of iron that you are ingesting/supplementing. Ferric iron and ferrous iron are not equivalent in terms of bioavailability. Ferrous iron is more easily absorbed. The body will reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron in the brush border of the small intestine, but it's not a perfect process. Patients using ferric iron supplements were typically encouraged to drink something like OJ (vitamin C rich) in order to facilitate the reduction process. The iron in meat is also more bioavailable than plant-sourced iron (again ferrous vs ferric). You also mentioned a multi-vitamin. It's not uncommon for "male-specific" vitamins to not contain iron. Most men aren't iron deficient and continual supplementation could lead to excess iron. "Female-specific" vitamins typically do contain iron because they go through a normal bleeding cycle.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:24 pm to Elephino
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:34 pm to TheOcean
The labeling is ambiguous. It says iron as as the amino acid chelate, but the larger label lists ferrous fumarate in the ingredient list. The two are not the same. Iron chelated to amino acids are typically how iron is added to food for iron fortification (think cereals). Even those can be different though (ferric vs ferrous). Ferrous bis-glycine chelate (FeBC) is the most common and is a good source. However, ferric tris-glycine chelate, ferric glycinate, and ferrous bis-glycinate hydrochloride are also available. Your supplement doesn't specify which form is used. You likely have a product with two forms of ferrous iron, which should be pretty good from an absorption and availability standpoint.
edit - Just noticed it also contains vitamin C. See my previous post. This is done to encourage the reduced, ferrous state.
edit - Just noticed it also contains vitamin C. See my previous post. This is done to encourage the reduced, ferrous state.
This post was edited on 8/7/15 at 3:37 pm
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:37 pm to Elephino
Have any recs from Amazon?
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:38 pm to TheOcean
quote:
cut out all beef a while ago.
I'd say definitely an issue (registered dietitian by profession). You need the heme iron from red meat, poultry and seafood.
Check out this link from NIH. Has a list toward the bottom of sources of iron. Much better to get vitamins and minerals from your diet but if it's not a well balanced one, then supplements are sometimes needed.
LINK
What other blood work are they doing??
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:40 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:
Chickpeas/Garbonzo/Hummus is good. Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are good, too.
But heme iron is from meat/poultry/seafood and is more readily available for absorption.
Also Vitamin C helps with iron absorption.
LINK
eta: didn't read all posts (Elphino's especially) before posting. And if you supplement, don't take iron on an empty stomach .. hurt me like hell and it can constipate you so keep drinking fluids!
This post was edited on 8/7/15 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:41 pm to tiger91
Definitely tossing beef back into my diet. The nurse didn't tell me specifics, just that they drawing more blood next time I come in
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:42 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Am I dying? Is this pretty common?
It's normal for women that have a heavy flow and a wide set vagina.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:46 pm to TheOcean
Ferrous sulfate is the norm. It's the form you see in many of the slow release formulations (Slow Fe). Some people don't tolerate the supplements very well...nausea and occasional constipation. The previous poster is correct. Heme bound iron found in blood and muscle (hemoglobin and myoglobin) is very well absorbed, hence the reason red meat is a good thing.
Posted on 8/7/15 at 3:59 pm to TheOcean
quote:
by TheOcean
I had blood in my stool for a month or so like 2 years ago. Haven't had any since. Just ordered some iron tablets
Did you ever get a colonoscopy or any other screening test after finding blood in your stool?
Is there any family history of colon cancer?
How low was your hemoglobin / hematocrit level?
A screening colonoscopy might not be a bad idea.
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