Need little advice--low hemoglobin - Anemia Message Board

firemom89 · 01-24-2008, 02:38 PM

I'm 47 years old and have always been anemic. If my hemoglobin was in the normal range, it was at the very bottom. I just took vitamins and went on, no major problems. After having my kids and getting older, my periods have gotten awful--usually a 24 hour period I don't dare leave the house. Three weeks ago, I had my annual blood test to make sure my thyroid med was where it should be (also have low thyroid), and they also tested my iron. My hemoglobin was 6.7, the lowest it's ever been. I've been really neglectful the last several months about taking any kind of iron pills and eating good (life got in the way). I immediately started taking vitamins with iron, doing blackstrap molasses, etc and started to feel better. Yesterday I ran errands all day and got up this morning and felt like I had gone 10 steps back. Would just running errands all day take away that much energy? Has anybody else had this? (Hopefully this made sense and thanks for reading).

ChristineVA · 01-24-2008, 02:51 PM

I am no longer anemic but still have low ferritin.

I remember back last year when I was "mildly" anemic (I was at about 11.6) and if I went shopping or did something "fun" on a Saturday, you can't bet I couldn't leave the house on Sunday. I was just WORN out.

Now, you are very anemic. That you can even get anything done is a miracle!

Yes, it would be totally normal to feel sapped after a day of running errands.

I think at this point, you need to consider yourself on iron supplementation indefinitely until you can get the bleeding thing worked out.

FLFLOWERGIRL · 01-24-2008, 05:46 PM

Sorry your having a hard time. As Christine said, you are very anemic and it is amazing that you are able to function. After I remained anemic for a long time I wasn't able to go to the store at all. Running errands was completely out of the question. I hope you are taking a high dose iron supplement. Good luck to you! FLFLOWERGIRL

abki168 · 01-25-2008, 06:19 PM

About a month ago my hemoglobin was a 7.7. I could barely function. I cannot even imagine being any lower. I feel so awful for you. I really was miserable after doing anything. I went on a pre-natal vitamin and iron pills. They seem to be helping slowly. Just walking around your house at your level would make you exhausted!!!