I am 16 years old and I was diagnosed with Anemia when I was 13. My iron was around a 9.1, if I remember correctly. I didn't really know that much about the seriousness of Anemia. Infact, I never really bothered to take my iron pills. I just blew it off. But then I went to the doctor when I was 15 and she was blown away.. my iron was down to 7.3. She said it was the lowest level of iron she'd ever seen. She said if it fell below 7, I'd have to get a blood transfusion. This scared me, so I decided to take my pills the way I should (2 in the morning, 2 in the evening) and eat bran cereal every morning for breakfast. Well, I have to say it did pay off and last month, my blood was checked and it went up 3 whole notches in a short amount of time! It's up to a 10.4 and my energy has gone up too! I'm hope to get it above a 12, which is "normal" iron. Anyway, my advice is to eat bran and TAKE YOUR PILLS. I don't think it's that nasty and anyway, it's a small price to pay for healthy iron levels.