Hi all, have been pale most of my life and ... - Women's Health

Women's Health

41,454 members3,941 posts

Hi all, have been pale most of my life and felt overwhelmingly tired for sometime now

seef profile image
seef
9 Replies

Just got Total Blood Count test done privately for anemia and the results are as follows:

Rbc 3.71

Hgb 103

Hct 0.318

Iron 3.9 umol/l

Ferritin 7.1ng/ml

Esr 46

From what I understand from the research I have carried out is that I am iron deficient, be that from diet deficiency or poor absorption. How do I find out which one it is?

Can anyone advise/interpret results?

Written by
seef profile image
seef
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
helen_m profile image
helen_m

Hi seef, did your test results have lab ranges next to them eg (20-50) ? That makes it easier to see if you are low. I'm afraid i don't know if your iron problem could be caused by malabsorption or diet deficiency. Are you vegetarian or vegan? Do you already take iron supplements? Your ferritin seems extremely low. X

seef profile image
seef in reply to helen_m

Thank you

I'm not a vegan and don't take any supplements at the most moment but will start today.

Clazzy78 profile image
Clazzy78

Looks like you are anaemic. Iron deficient too. For women ferritin is between 20-200 nanograms per millilitre.

You need supplementation. I've used spatone an iron rich water before that is good and gentle. You could take what your doc offers but ferrous sulphate can make you very constipated. I always preferred ferrous glutamate. Or Styron is a liquid iron supplement.

Are you seeing your doc to discuss results?

Best wishes 💗

seef profile image
seef in reply to Clazzy78

Thank you

I was going to get supplements myself and start taking them today and then make an appt to see GP. I've read that GPs aren't very good at interpreting results as do not specialise in haematology, so wasn't too keen.

Clazzy78 profile image
Clazzy78 in reply to seef

My daughter who is nearly 4 had a blood test a few weeks back to check for something else but she came back as anaemic. So she is on Sytron liquid. GP said if we tested most young children they would be deficient. To which I thought if that's the case why don't we supplement our children? I did breastfeed for 3 years too which apparently can cause anaemia too!!

Don't let them give you the cheap ferrous sulphate. They're awful. Ask for Sytron. It's easy to take and tastes ok. Or the spatone, not sure if that's available on prescription but you can get it from health food stores.

Best wishes 💗

seef profile image
seef in reply to Clazzy78

Thanks

I was going to get Floradix liquid, what do you think?

Clazzy78 profile image
Clazzy78 in reply to seef

Yes that's a good one too. There are so many out there. It may not give you enough though. Tell your Gp what you are going to try, they may suggest something else, depending on how much you need to supplement with.

The only I'd say with something like floradix is that it is designed to maintain iron levels, and as you are iron deficient it may not work as well, as it may not have enough in to bring your levels up. Does that make sense?

💗

seef profile image
seef in reply to Clazzy78

Thanks yes that makes sense.

I am concerned about taking too much iron too, as that is also supposed to very bad for you. It's quite tricky to get the intake right without harming your insides on a long term basis.

Clazzy78 profile image
Clazzy78 in reply to seef

Yes you're right. I hope you get it sorted. I was anaemic when I was pregnant with my twins. It was horrible. I was breathless, no appetite, I couldn't concentrate. I'd walk into a shop and walk around in a daze because I couldn't concentrate. I did feel better after iron supplements after about a week.

Best wishes 💗

You may also like...

Help needed with test results (iron)

I have been suffering from symptoms of anemia with fainting, hair loss, lack of energy, lack of...

Bleeding from vagina after straining and the day after intercourse. Has anyone experienced this?

I have had pre cancerous cells removed from cervix last year after being diagnosed CIN3. Since then...

CIN3 of the cervix. Is this really bad. Minds in overload about this

So biopsy results from my colposcopy came through and dont know what to think. Not at stage CIN2 as...

Perimenopause symptoms at 43

I have teenage spotty skin, I don’t want to go out, anxiety at times through the roof, feel...

Worried about HPV positive

experience HPV positive results and anything like what I have had and come out to have the HPV go...