I was informed following a routine physical by a nurse that I am mildly anemic on Tuesday 2/14 with no other details. After requesting the doctor call me with more information, he got to me on Friday morning and told me I was mildly anemic with a "number at 36 that should be 39-49." Through research I've determined this to be hematocrit. He suspects it is hemorrhoidal, and referred me to a gastroenterologist, but the earliest appointment I could find was March 1.
In the mean time before speaking to the doctor, and since over the weekend, I am in a full on hypochondriac panic mode. I've been all over the web looking at what could be doing this and what I find is making me a lot worse (though I did find this page) as I suspect I may have missed something major that will lead to something mortal. I also feel as if I'm making myself sick as my throat hurts, my head is stuffed up and I don't have much of an appetite. I've never reacted to anything in such a manner in the past.
I'm curious to know how some of you handled the initial diagnosis and what was done to alleviate your concerns or to test for problems?
I am a 32 y/o male 5'10" 212#. I lost about 40 pounds last year through a change in diet and increased exercise. I have high blood pressure that is under control via medicine, and I have seasonal allergies. I have a condition in my left leg where the veins are in knots, which causes swelling at times, and I found earlier this year I could not run on a treadmill as it caused me problems in the leg, and made my heart really race (I had been using the bike mostly). I do have nose bleeds somewhat frequently, or blood will be part of the product of blowing my nose. I am also concerned about my prostate as I sometimes it feels as if I don't completely empty or I have to go when I lay down (though I forgot to mention this issue to my doctor).
I have been a little more tired than usual since around the first of the year, and I am undergoing a stressful period in my life with my job contract ending in July with no new prospects, I'm about to defend my dissertation, and I'm basically alone in this town with my problems. So any advice would be helpful!
Your frequent nose bleeds could be causing the anemia. To prevent further bleeding you could try using a humidifier, drinking more water to stay hydrated and not blowing your nose so hard. Your doctor may also want to prescribe something for the allergies.
You can buy ferrous sulfate (iron supplement) in the drug store. It would be a good place to start until you see GI doctor. Your hematocrit is not that low. A multivitamin with iron should also be helpful. Ask if you can be on the doctors' cancellation list. They may be able to get you in sooner. Good luck.
Thank you for the replies. I just feel helpless as I am in arguably the best shape of my adult life, and yet I suddenly have some unknown ailment, and I feel like I should be doing more to handle it. I've read mixed things about men taking iron supplements, and I still have not been able to connect with my doctor to ask about that. In the mean time I am looking to improve my diet with more leafy veggies and red meat, and drinking water instead of soda whenever possible. It might be small, but at least it's something and maybe I can pull myself out of this panic attack.
I also use a room humidifier already (though not at night -it's too noisy), and take nasonex and zyrtec for allergies, so I'm not sure what else could go on there.
Thank you for the replies. I just feel helpless as I am in arguably the best shape of my adult life, and yet I suddenly have some unknown ailment, and I feel like I should be doing more to handle it. I've read mixed things about men taking iron supplements, and I still have not been able to connect with my doctor to ask about that. In the mean time I am looking to improve my diet with more leafy veggies and red meat, and drinking water instead of soda whenever possible. It might be small, but at least it's something and maybe I can pull myself out of this panic attack.
I also use a room humidifier already (though not at night -it's too noisy), and take nasonex and zyrtec for allergies, so I'm not sure what else could go on there.
