My boyfriend seems to be pretty insistent that I am anemic, I am curious to hear what others think based on my symptoms. I intend to have this checked out by my doctor at my appt. next week.

Symtpoms:
Feeling fatigued more than usual
Frequently cold, particularly hands, can not seem to warm them.
Pale skin
Bruise very easily
Scratching of the skin causes raising/redness almost immediately
Extended menstrual cycle (not necessarily heavier, just tap on a few extra days)


Keep in mind I'm currently trying to determine some other issues with my digestive system (potential ulcer, or IBS).
To me this doesn't sound like the weak, light headed/dizzy typical anemic individual, any thoughts anyone??
Thanks!

It definitly sounds like anemia to me. And if you're dealing with a possible ulcer, that would cause it as well because you lose blood. I would go to the dr and have them do a cbc to check out your blood levels. feel better!

The only reason, I hesitate to jump on it being anemia, is that aside from the extended menstrual cycle and extra fatgiue I have always been this way. As long as I can remember, so these are not new alarming symptoms. But it can't hurt to ask the doc!
Thanks!

Maybe you were anemic all along though?

Okay, you sound like my twin, and yes, I've always been this way too. I go through spurts kinda, some days I'll just be white as a ghost, and I'll be exhausted, and a friend will tell me "you don't look so good," and I'll confirm it, so I go out and eat a steak. I don't have cold hands...although I do usually feel cold. I bruise VERY easily, have been asked by people if someone was beating me it was so bad, slightest tap and I get a big purple bruise on my leg or wherever else I hit when I walked into something (the tiredness/dizzyness can make me very clumsy). Oh and the redness of scratching, I'm really bad for that too, I can lightly scratch my arm and a red line will show up within seconds. I think that parts cool, I use it to draw pictures when I'm bored, or train tracks... (okay, so I'm a dork, whatever!) hehehe, yeah, see a doc about it, I'm seeing them for so many other things I just don't want to bug him. He'll just say to take Iron pills, and the darn things make me so sick I can't do it.

Thanks for the input! I'll look into it!
Dana

Ya'll really need to be checked you can be having thyriod, iron, or sugar problems.
Why suffer when you can get help?! Feel better all!

I've just discovered I'm b12 deficient, and share all your symptoms. After 10 years of thinking I just need to toughen up, have found out my freezing hands and feet, paleness & fatigue is not all in my mind. My iron is fine and I don't have pernicious anemia or a digestive issue...b12 injections have definitely had a + effect on my cold extremities!

I've been anemic all my life and didn't really realize it. A long time ago my doctor told my mom I was anemic, but they never really did anything for it since I only lose blood in my stool *gross, but true* Though it affected me when I had my child. If I had really known more about anemia I would of taken more precautions and saved myself a few extra days in the hospital. It' definately worth looking into. But Iron pills can be horrible to take, but worth it. I'm almost anxious about taking my new ones. Gotta take alot of laxetives with it. Sometimes I wonder if the cure is worse than the problem. But always take care of yourself it's worth it in the end!