Hi Y'all. I went to the doctor and my iron is up to 11. YEA!!! The problem is that even though my iron is up i feel more tired than i did when i was first diagnosed w/ anemia. Then my iron was 8. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? The doc is checkin' my thyroid and i'll get those results tomorrow but if its not that then he doesnt know. any ideas?? Thanks y'all!

Have you asked your doctor to check your B12 level? This can cause symptoms of tiredness, memory loss, unable to focus on task, and several neurological symptoms as well.

He checked my B12 and it was "normal" the thyroid came back fine and accordin' to the blood work everything is fine, but i know that somethin' is goin' on inside me. Should i be worried? Do y'all think i should get a referral to another doctor? if so, what kind? Thanks y'all

He checked my B12 and it was "normal" the thyroid came back fine and accordin' to the blood work everything is fine, but i know that somethin' is goin' on inside me. Should i be worried? Do y'all think i should get a referral to another doctor? if so, what kind? Thanks y'all

Hi, I'm sort of in the same situation...I have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, because my ferritin level is only a 2. My B12 levels are also normal, my thyroid is find too.

My dr. told me to take iron supplements, which I've been doing for about a month. I've been through all of the gastrointestinal tests, like a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and small bowel x-ray series, and all these were normal. A biopsy was also taken, and I have no problem with iron absorption.

I don't know if you've had all the gastro. testing done or not...you didn't mention that. Last, but not least, after all those awfully invasive tests, I was told to go to the gynocologist to see if there's any problem there. My gynocologist did a vaginal ultrasound and found 4 fibroids. So, the gyn. thinks that heavy periods (I don't think they're that heavy) may be causing my anemia, and the fibroids can make it worse. I just started taking a low dose birth control pill (Allese) to see if that will lighten my periods & help the anemia. The fibroids can't be removed because it's too risky.

To answer your question whether or not you should go to another doctor, first of all, what type of doctor is the doctor that you're currently going to? Does he/she want to do more testing, and/or send you to any type of specialist? Have you had the gastrointestinal tests all done? After the blood workups, I believe that's the next step.

Robste, I'm glad you were able to get your hemoglobin back up! That's great! As for feeling more tired now then you did awhile ago, I've had the same experience....there were times when my hemoglobin would be up a little and I would be feeling more tired then I was when it was lower....I've also noticed others on this board have had similar experiences. I haven't been able to get a good explanation for this either.....so my own personal theory on this is that your body has been working overtime to make more red blood cells, and that, in addition to being anemic, must be tiring. And, I've heard that people can still feel tired and experience symptoms of anemia if their ferritin is low, but their hemoglobin is normal....
Well that's just my two cents, but let me know if you find out something more "official"!

Oops, I wrote Robste above, but meant to say Annabella....it must be time to go to bed!

I haven't had any major test done, i've just seen my PCP and he doesn't seem to concerned with running more test to find the cause of my anemia. do y'all think it is time to get a refferal?

From everything I've heard and read about iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor shouldn't just prescribe iron supplements and stop there, even if your hemoglobin goes up. Most of the time, the iron supplements will help bring your blood levels back to a normal range, but they may drop again if you stop taking them (since your doctor never found out what was causing the anemia). Have they checked your stool for occult bleeding? That's usually one of the first things they do when someone is found to be anemic, or refer you to the gyn for further testing. I would talk this over again with your doctor....especially considering you started out at an 8....I would think he would want to find out the cause. Good luck!