Can I have some advice on my daughters bloods, please

[Suin]

Iron profile seems worrying,

but doctors advised her to eat it up ^

She got b12 3 monthly for a year or more as it had been low before

But they stopped it, a year ago

She’s extremely dizzy and exhausted

Thank you

[Nessy50]

I agree she should be on iron tablets no wonder she’s not great no one would feel good that low. Mine was 4 years ago & so exhausted her folates way too low too. Did she fast for B12 or on multi vitamins? Serum test isn’t the best. Was she much better on injections? What age is she?

[Suin in reply to Nessy50]

Her bloods were done in the afternoon and she had fasted. She didn’t see a major improvement on injections but they were Only every 3 months, she’s 29. Thank you 😊

[Nessy50 in reply to Suin]

Have they looked to see if she has fibroids I have them & didn’t know for years that they can cause heavy bleeds I had laser treatment & a breeze after that just wish I’d known sooner

[Suin]

She bleeds heavy for a week each month on coil, won’t eat liver, she’s going to ring doctor today again. Thank you 😊

[FlipperTD in reply to Suin]

I think you've identified the problem!

Blood loss and iron intake are finely balanced. 1ml of red cells lost equals 1mg of iron lost. It's likely if you says she 'bleeds heavily' then she's losing more than she's gaining from her diet, especially if she won't eat liver, which is the best source of dietary iron. Other sources in food are nowhere near as laden with it.

Her doctor can advise on iron replacement therapy and this does need to be supervised medically. There are plenty of things out there for iron replacement, because some people struggle to cope with some of the iron preparations.

Good luck!

[FlipperTD]

Speaking as a scientist, not as a doctor: I'm not qualified to give advice, however:

These results indicate iron deficiency. The iron profile and the MCV/MCH tie in nicely. The Haemoglobin is not significantly reduced, so she's barely anaemic, but the iron status clearly needs attention.

If one doctor won't listen, try another.

[Suin in reply to FlipperTD]

Thank you

Are iron supplements the answer?

I thought her TSH was low considering it was the afternoon too, but I’d doubt they’d retest again in the morning.

[FlipperTD in reply to Suin]

Her TSH level is fine. Just where it should be, in my [unqualified] opinion!

Concentrate on the iron. A good, healthy, balanced diet is a start, and a registered dietitian would be able to advise, as that's their speciality.

[Showgem]

Everything screams iron deficiency, is she taking iron? If not, why not, does she have problems taking iron tablets?

[Suin in reply to Showgem]

They never prescribed it, but she rang again today and the doctor consented to give it now.

[Showgem in reply to Suin]

Hopefully she’ll get on with them and feel better soon. She should take them with vit C to help with absorption, orange juice would be good and avoid drinking tea and coffee for a hour or so after taking as these hinder absorption.

[Suin]

Thank you, is 1000mg vit C enough each day? She’s been prescribed 1 Iron tablet x2 daily.

I’ve also read on here before of

x2 tablets x3 daily, being a good starting dose

[Nessy50]

Glad your daughters getting somewhere now & starting the iron should definitely help once her levels come up maybe Dr should test in 3-4 months.

[Showgem]

I would think so but I have orange juice for vit C. 1 iron tablet twice a day would be enough unless a doctor prescribes more.