Iron deficiancy anaemia, gluten allergy and how to carry on following a path that causes least harm

[Cookie101]

G'day Folks,

As the title suggests, I could do with a bit of advice (and perhaps some good ideas for alternatives if that is how it needs to be). I've been vegan for a little over five years now. I don't regret a moment of it. I used to say, the hardest bit was my gluten allergy. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the only issue for me. I've now come to the rather upsetting conclusion that I need to hand in my vegan credentials (at least for a while).

It turns out, that courtesy of my family genetics, my body doesn't absorb iron properly. Therefore, when I switched to a vegan diet, I slowly lost the stores of iron that I had. Around the time that I was trying not to fall asleep on my motorbike at 50mph, I had blood tests which revealed that despite everything else being perfectly normal, my iron was nowhere near where it should have been. I then moved from the 20mg vegan iron tablet that I had been using (the strongest I was able to get over the counter) and moved to a 400mg tablet each day. I had to take that for 9 months before my iron levels showed any signs of improvement.

Since then, I've spent the last two years taking these same tablets (400mg each week, and not only has my iron level still come down again in my most recent blood tests, I've continued to fight with the tiredness. To the point that I'm overweight because I eat extra to try and give myself additional energy. The iron medication is also not doing my tummy any good at all.

It's also affecting my mental health as the additional weight is causing pain on top of my PTSD and Anxiety disorders. I've come to the hard decision, to reintroduce SOME animal products into my diet. At least while I try and get my Iron levels to behave. Unfortunately Iron from animal products absorbs that much easier. Half the vegan iron foods are not possible for me. I can't eat many of the fortified foods because of my Gluten Allergy , I struggle with beans as even after all this time, they still make a mess of my digestion (I eat them as often as I can but it's usually just black beans and lentils in small quantities)

I'm starting by reintroducing eggs. I'm getting them from Organic producers only as my research points to this being the best option. I'm hoping this tips the balance and means that I don't need to go further. I'll never eat dairy. As far as I'm concerned, they are worse than the meat industry ever could be. If I do end up eating meat again, I've been seriously thinking about where that comes from. I became vegan primarily because of factory farming. That will continue to be a driving factor for me.

I'm not entirely certain why I'm saying all this. As I said, I don't regret being vegan all these years. While I regret having to make this decision now, I don't believe it's the wrong choice at this moment in time. Perhaps when my health has improved, (or the iron tablets are more effective) I will try again. I don't consider this a failure and I haven't stopped caring about animals and the way they are treated. Perhaps I'm writing this for anyone else who struggles and doesn't know why. Perhaps it's because I have on occasion heard people within the vegan community be quite judgemental regarding people who cease to be vegan and I wanted to give my experience. I know I'd certainly like to see if others have been through a similar process and how they overcame this issue.

Finally, I'd like to say to people who are thinking about joining the vegan community, please don't be scared off by what I've written here. I have a number of issues going on, not everything is explained above but it has all played it's part in where I've come to now. Being vegan not only opened my eyes to what animals have to go through, it has also shown me that just how much I can do to make a change. Even the time that I've been on this path has saved lives. By making the choice I made to become vegan, it has an impact even now because the animal options that I eventually settle for, will only compliment the vegetables on my plate rather than the other way round. Had I not started this journey, I'd still be eating meat and dairy in large quantities without giving it a moments thought.

Well, I think I've bored you all to tears now, so I'm sorry for that. I'll still be here, hopefully with more energy to try all the yummy vegan recipes. Perhaps by the time my health improves, I'll have found a way to get back to vegan.

[Hidden]

Hi there Cookie101 firstly poor you as being anaemic is draining for you. I know as it’s how I was diagnosed with coeliac so I feel for you.

My opinion is that you have a medical condition which means that you have to increase your iron intake and you are so right as iron upsets me and many of us that natural sources are the easiest fir us to absorb.

Now as for not being vegan VFL is for vegans and anyone interested in a vegan diet, like you and I as I’m not a vegan yet I eat lots of gluten free vegan meals and have a healthy interest in it and animal welfare.

So good luck and I hope that your change of diet helps.

[Cookie101 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jerry. Your absolutely right about how draining it is. At first, I thought I could simply put up with it. But years later, even with the medication, my health is getting worse and worse. It's been a long road and a tough decision but at the moment, I feel like a zombie most of the time. How can I help anyone else, Human or Animal if I carry on like this?

[ZazenRiver345]

Hello. It's a difficult situation when your body is rejecting vegan sources of iron like this and you have no interest in eating meat. I'm gluten intolerant and was curious how long you've been diagnosed with a gluten allergy. What are your symptoms when you eat gluten? Is it possible that you haven't fully healed from gluten damage and that's why your body is having trouble absorbing iron?

[Cookie101 in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Hello Zazen, as I don't want to sound misleading, I should clarify; I've not been formally diagnosed with a gluten allergy (I suppose I have just gotten used to calling it that for simplicity as it's taken more seriously if people at work offer me food, or in the rare event that I go out for a meal). I discovered I had a gluten issue in my very early thirties - About seven and a half years ago. I began to find that when I ate certain foods, I would get terrible pain in my gut, run to the loo, be there for half an hour and then feel unwell for a few days. It was a very specific feeling. I don't have the best relationship with doctors so when I worked out that it was something I was eating, I decided to try and figure it out before heading to the GP. I did some research, discovered it was gluten and removed it from my diet. That was a revelation as not only did the immediate issues clear up and I felt more energized, I also discovered that things I thought were normal for years, such as feeling tired, smelly stools, bloating, constipation, etc suddenly went away. I then discovered that I have a few family members who either have Coeliacs or gluten sensitivities. It was more than two years after discovering I couldn't eat gluten that I became vegan. By that time, my digestion was working substantially better.

Iron issues seem to be a constant in my family, as my mother also has them. As Australians, we grew up on a meat heavy diet, my mother doesn't eat nearly as much now as she used to but she has never stopped. She has still had to deal with it in the past.

[Hidden]

Hi Cookie101,

I’m compassionate how your body rejects vegan diet even your heart is at the right place. 😊

From what I read, you have gluten intolerance and I’m glad you can eliminate many symptoms by going gluten-free. (I’m on that journey too)😁👍

Iron deficiency: your hereditary gene plays a part in it and certain green veggie your body can’t handle. Are you able to consume dark chocolate, spinach, kale, broccoli? Those are great for iron source plus being mindful of vitC also as it helps absorb iron much better. I would suggest tomatoes but if you are prone to stress and anxiety (usually result in heartburn, acid reflux) so it’s not a great option. Homemade meals help me customizing my needs esp vegan diet and eliminate cross contamination from gluten.

We are all on journey of getting well body and mind and it takes a lot of trials and effort to design what fits for us. Best wishes.😊

[Cookie101 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Great Mindfulness, as a chocoholic, I can safely guarantee that dark chocolate has been a regular part of my diet. I'm also a lover of every other food you've suggested, even tomatoes (which has never given me heartburn so I'm atleast grateful for that). Apart from the vit C, they also recommend not eating carbs at the same time as the iron tablets to aid absorption. I've spent all the years I was on medication trying to figure out the best combination!

[Hidden in reply to Cookie101]

You’re welcome Cookie101. I see you followed all the necessary steps for your iron. We consumed meat before and with a large amount it can accumulate toxins in our livers also besides medications and all other environmental factors. For my annual checkup, liver enzyme is important to know how well it functions as iron and liver relate very much. If everything seems to be in order then you customize your diet best for your body needs. For me, I find plant base veggies my body absorbs better.

I wish you good health and joyful life! 🤗

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Cookie101]

So your doctor never told you that vitamin c increases your non heme iron absorption greatly, and possibly better than heme iron? Were you aware of that before today? 🤔Thanks for sharing.

[Cookie101 in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Apologies Zazen, I think the way I wrote my comment has created confusion. When I said 'apart from the vit C, I was referring to it as something I was already aware of. As in, 'apart from already knowing about vit C, I've also heard that I should avoid eating my porridge with my iron tablet as that can inhibit iron absorption'. Probably make more sense if said in person rather than written on the page!

[Niao]

I wish you all the very best.One thing that may also help with absorption, along with the Vit C, is to avoid any tea or coffee straight after eating iron rich foods. You’re probably already aware of this but, if not, I believe it can have quite an impact.

[Cookie101 in reply to Niao]

Thank-you for that Niao. I had actually forgotten it so it's a helpful reminder. I reread the online literature which recommends at least a two hour gap between the iron and the tea. It was never a big problem for me as I have one weak tea in the mid-morning when I'm at work, but it's very useful if anyone else comes across the discussion who is having similar iron issues.