I've posted before and hate to make a pest of myself, but I have really bad symptoms that have turned my life on its head since May, and the only thing they found wrong is a slight anemia.

My doctor insists that there's no way my symptoms can be caused by anemia because it's too mild. (The hematocrit is the worst, at 32.) Yet all my symptoms fit the list of anemia symptoms exactly. What's the borderline when people have symptoms? Is it possible to be more sensitive than most people and be symptomatic even if the numbers don't drop dramatically? Thanks.

Hi. You are certainly NOT being a "pest" by venting your concerns. :rolleyes: That's what we all do here!!!!!!!!
I just wanted to comment on your question as to whether some people are more "sensitive" to anemia than others. I'm guessing you are wondering if some people feel the "effects" more severely (or less) than others. I will tell you my experience and you can go from there. I was diagnosed with "bleeding angiodysplasias" in 2002 after suffering from anemia for over 2 years. I have a mixed connective tissue disease so I thought the anemia was stemming from that. But when my levels got very low (hematocrit - 21; hemoglobin - 5.2) I finally realized something else had to be going on. My gastroenterologist diagnosed the problem and has since sent me for 2 blood transfusions (bleeding angiodysplasias have an 80 percent chance of re-bleed but are never 'life-threatening'). My doctor expressed "amazement" that I was even able to get out of bed with my blood levels being that low. But other than shortness of breath and mild heart palpitations and fatigue, the severe anemia was not all that debilitating. Of course I have all my aches and pains due to autoimmune condition, so maybe I had just "toughened up" over the years!! Who knows? I was just making the point (for what it's worth) undefinedthat anemia like any condition affects everyone differently.
I wish you luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wave:

My hematocrit at the beginning of this year was 30, and I was suffering extremely from anemia. Extreme fatigue, achy, hair loss, etc. After 300 mg of iron a day I just got retested and am up to 35 and feel a ton better. Some days are better than others. I think each person reacts differently. I hope you get feeling better. My anemia is due to the fact that I have a bleeding disorder called VonWillebrand's.