My appt. was this morning, and of course I had great hope of finally getting some idea if anemia is the cause of the problems I've been having.
The first thing the dr. did was told me implicitly that the hemoglobin number is the only one that really matters, so of course when my ferritin tested at 13 it didn't matter, b/c my hemoglobin has risen slightly which she said proves the iron is working, albeit slowly.
So, I was told to continue taking 325mg ferrous sulfate 3 times per day for a minimum of three more months, then have my internist re-do my labs. And of course, I got the standard weight loss lecture.
After it's all said and done, maybe my whole problem IS that I'm overweight and that makes me tired so I can only find the strength to work 17 hours a day, which is just not enough to get everything done...so I tell myself I'm just lazy. If the whole problem is my weight, then there is no magic pill, no shot, no infusion that will help me. GREAT...I needed more stress and pressure.
Needless to say, it was not an encouraging visit. I will put up the actual hemoglobin and iron numbers tomorrow, as I was driving when her nurse called and couldn't write them down, but I did remember the ferritin tested at 13.
It's standard for a lot of doctors to pronounce you to be out of danger once your hemoglobin results come ok. It is very positive and encouraging that they are actually telling you to keep taking your iron supplement AND to come back in 3 months for a re-evaluation. Not a lot of doctors do that, so that is great to hear.
Yes, being overweight can make exercise or even general day to day life a tad more difficult, but a ferretin of 14, regardless of your hemoglobin, would still be making you tired. You need to keep taking your iron and don't slacken off, even if you do begin feeling better. In your case your iron didrn't rise in a hurry, which is the same story for a lot of us on this board, so don't stress over iron overload.
With your weight, do you want to lose weight or do you feel comfy with your weight? That is only something you can answer. If you feel fine with your dress size, then maybe some light exercise just to keep healthy? On the other hand if you are looking at losing weight, maybe an overhaul of your kitchen cupboards and starting a healthy lifestyle plan. Losing weight slowly is always more beneficial and healthier for your metabolism than losing a heap of weight each week.
Low ferretin might make exercise a bit arduous as there isn't sufficient oxygen running through your system due to insufficient blood stores. So go easy and just do some light exercises for now. Regardless of your dress size, some light to moderate exercise is good for all of us.
If you are low in ferretin, there is a chance you can be low in other things eg: vit D, b12, zinc, folate, iodine. low iron can also be due to many things ranging from diet to gluten intolerance and a heap of other things inbetween.
Just remember don't go supplementing with things unless you have been tested first as some supplements can be bad for you in high quantities.
Nancy--I'm sorry your were disappointed a little with your docs statement about ferritin but know it's quite normal of a response from a Hematologist. They are looking for problems to fix. If you have ferritin that's good and if your in range even better LOL. That's just how they see it. I'm telling you it's not ALL your weight with a ferritin of 13 you barely have any iron stores. That means that when that is depleted there is nothing left to pull from (for iron) other then your organs and bloodstream. So, you see it's not really okay and fine. You should be at least 50 and then you should talk about symptoms and see how you are feeling. I bet you that you are not oh, so tired!!!! Best of luck to you and keep us posted. FLFLOWERGIRL
Last edited by FLFLOWERGIRL; 02-05-2009 at 06:57 PM.
Thanks so much for the encouragement and advice, ladies! I truly appreciate your kind words; I was really down after that appointment and wasn't sure I'd EVER feel better!
Audrey-B, I totally hear you about how low iron affects our ability to exercise, and for me, it's coupled with asthma. I have what my doctor calls "Hollywood" asthma, which is to say that I can be just fine one minute and calling for an ambulance the next...it's freaky, and it makes "real" exercise just about impossible.
Having said that, however, I DO take the stairs all day at work and have a fairly active job, and I like to get out at lunch time and walk around the city. I always have to use my inhaler before and after I do anything, and unfortunately, I've been using it a lot more lately, which is one of the main reasons I was hoping for an encouraging appt. with the hematologist.
Question: Do you think it's possible to get my levels up by only taking oral supplements? If not, I wonder if my internist would agree to give me iron shots for the short-term, though I imagine she won't b/c of the hematologist's report. Speaking of that, here are the numbers from last Wednesday:
RBC 4.36 (3.93 - 5.22)
HGB 12.3 (11.2 - 15.7)
HCT 38.0 (34.1 - 44.9)
MCV 87.2 (79.4 - 94.8)
MCH 28.2 (25.6 - 32.2)
MCHC 32.4 (32.2 - 32.5)
RDW 15.5(H) (11.7 - 14.4)
MPV 9.4 (9.4 - 12.3)
As always, I appreciate any input you can give me on the test results!
Audrey, after my appt. on Wednesday I reached two conclusions:
1. I need to taper off the pain pills I've been using in very low dosages to give me energy; this is simply not a solution and is no longer an option.
2. I have to start working diligently to lose weight. At 5'6" and 235 pounds, this is INSANE...particularly when you consider that I spent my life until 8- 10 years ago weighing between 140 - 150 pounds. Even though it's very hard for me to exercise now, I'm just going to have to commit myself to "baby steps". My pantry definitely is in an "overhaul" state, because there are only two of us in the house now (my 16-yr. old son and I), and we both need to lose weight. I am going to look into joining Weight Watchers online or something similar just to have a community of people who are fighting the same battle.
The bottom line is this: Having spent 17 years in a completely dead marriage, then 6 years in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship (no self-esteem, clearly), taking medications for 8 years for anxiety/depression/PTSD/bi-polor (NONE of which I actually have), and discovering along the way that those neat little pain pills could help me get enough energy to get through the day (hello, addiction!) only to finally realize that anemia plays a huge role in every challenge I face, I'm ready to MOVE ON IN MY LIFE!!!
Thanks again for your support and encouragement. BTW, I have noticed this week that if I take my first iron pill w/the Vit. C at 5am when I get up, I don't go looking for 1/2 a pain pill within a couple of hours...so I guess I'm just going to have to figure out what works for me on my own and follow through!
Question: Do you think it's possible to get my levels up by only taking oral supplements? If not, I wonder if my internist would agree to give me iron shots for the short-term, though I imagine she won't b/c of the hematologist's report. Speaking of that, here are the numbers from last Wednesday:
RBC 4.36 (3.93 - 5.22)
HGB 12.3 (11.2 - 15.7)
HCT 38.0 (34.1 - 44.9)
As always, I appreciate any input you can give me on the test results!
Nancy
Nancy--No, you are not anemic, as you already know. However, you are low in the Hgb as far as being optimal, a women should be at 14.0 Hgb. You would be feeling much better at that range. Along with your ferritin of course, a 13 is almost no iron remaining in the bone marrow. As long as you are absorbing (which your Hema doc stated you were), you should be easily able to go the oral route. It should only take 2 months time on FS 3X daily to raise your Hgb (and to replenish some stores), I think that's what you said you were taking. As long as you don't suffer GI S/E's. Keep us posted.
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Best of luck to you! FLFLOWERGIRL
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Hashimoto's Thyroiditis / FM
Moderate Anemia (resolved), Low Ferritin-- Work in progress (Endometrial Ablation)
Hiatal Hernia--GERD
Linear Mode
