Hi I just found this health board and I am hoping to learn about Anemia. I recently had my 2nd child and while in the hospital I was told I was anemic. Finally after 2 months of doctors and bloodwork I have learned that my blood level is at a 9.1 and my iron levels are at a 26. I have constant headaches and I am really not sure how low or high that 26 is. What is "normal", and does anyone have any advice on howto get my levels up? Thank you so much! :)

Hi I just found this health board and I am hoping to learn about Anemia. I recently had my 2nd child and while in the hospital I was told I was anemic. Finally after 2 months of doctors and bloodwork I have learned that my blood level is at a 9.1 and my iron levels are at a 26. I have constant headaches and I am really not sure how low or high that 26 is. What is "normal", and does anyone have any advice on howto get my levels up? Thank you so much! :)
I am sorry you are still suffering. However, the ranges are usually unique to the laboratory that is testing. The side effects of anemia sometimes seem worse or less worse than the numbers given depending on how fast the anemia occurs. If the anemia happens suddenly like giving birth and bleeding a good bit, then the numbers do not have to drop much to experience extreme discomfort. On the otherhand, if the anemia has happened gradually over a long period of time such as a year or so, then the numbers could look severe and the symptoms might not seem as bad. It is pretty confusing to the patient. The best thing to do for the anemia at home is to follow the doctors recommendations, and to add as much iron rich food to your diet as possible such as beets, root vegetables (those that grow under the soil, meat if possible, and iron enriched foods from the grocery store. Main thing is to follow your doctors recommendations and seek out a doctor if you have not done so.

as stupid as this may sound, but i'm a 17 year old female who wanted to donate blood at our schools blood drive this year, and i was hit with the big REJECTION sign. my iron count was a 25 and i believe the "normal" was 28. i've had a few dizzy spells since then, and just a huge craving for ice all the time. i guess i've been anemic of awhile because i crave ice all the time. while getting advice for how to get my iron level up, i was given a flyer (i guess thats what you'd call it) on what to stay away from and what not to stay away from...it goes as follows:

Facts About Food
These foods contain iron that is readily absorbed:
Meat or liver
Chicken or turkey
Fish and other seafood

These foods will help your body absord iron:
Citrus fruits and drinks
Fresh fruits (e.g. apples, peaches, pears)
Fresh or lightly cooked vegetables

These make it hard for your body to absord iron:
Tea, coffee
Eggs (yolk)
High bran foods
Whole wheat bakery products
Whole grain cereals
Calcium supplements
Antacids



hope i helped!

Thank you for your replies :)

I am 16 with a iron level of 21 it just dropped from 41 to 21 within a month with no explananation and i was on two iron pills a day and a vitamin, but the weird thing is i dont have any cravings and any thing like that so am I anemic or is it something else???? I'm sorry but it just doesnt seem like my doctors are really doing anything, because its been 3 years and I just am slowly getting more and more tired. I do have crohn's and nodules in my lungs and a decreased lung function. is it possible that i am bleeding some where internally without knowing it even if my blood levels except my iron and occassionally my sid rate are fine?

I'm 47. Hb:97 I haven't had my iron studies yet. I don't understand why iron studies so important? Traditional way just taking some iron tablets that will do, isn't it? They want me to do a gastroscopy and all that tubing things. Very scary. I have a lot of dizzyness but I think I had linked to a wrong track. I never craving for ice or carrot. And I don't feel like anyway. What are yours doctor suggestion? Isn't women has mildly anemia is common especially like my age perimenopause? Very confusing! :confused: Pika.