Hi everyone,
I was hoping someone could help me or give me some reasureance?(sp). I was diagnosed with anemia back in the middle of January after some bloodwork after being sick in e.r. I was given iron pills to take twice a day. I have been taking them on and off since then. My level was a 7 back then. I was retested yesterday and i was an 8. About a week earlier i had just started taking the pills twice a day as directed because ive been so scared and plus before i couldnt tolerate the pills and even thought i still cant i have been taking them. Anyhow when i was retested my Dr. didnt like that my levels didnt go back to normal so he is sending me to a Anemia specialist. He says i may have something more serious going on since the pills havent helped. I did tell him i wasnt taking them twice a day till now but i think it didnt dawn on him. Couldnt this be why my levels didnt go up yet? What could be wrong? Im so afraid of cancer or something like that. What will this specialist do? Im faithfully taking the pills 2 times a day now and hopefully when i go i will b normal. Any help or suggestions would b great! I asked dr what else could b wrong but he didnt answer me really.
Thanks a bunch!:wave:

You would have needed to take the pills for 6-8 weeks to even BEGIN to see an improvement in your levels. So, after only being on them for 1 week, I'm not surprised that you hardly got an improvement. You should have told your doctor prior to the test that you had not complied with the iron treatment. He may have waited to do the test.

A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in blood disorders. This doctor will probably run more specific tests to determine why you are anemic, if it is indeed due to iron, and if it is due to iron problems then exactly WHAT is the iron problem. You could be bleeding from somewhere, you could have a problem where the bone marrow doesn't produce red blood cells properly, or you could have a problem where you aren't absorbing iron well in your system.

I'm a little surprised that your doctor would send you to a hematologist right away. If I'm not mistaken, the standard treatment is first to take the iron pills. Along with that, it is up to the General Practitioner to search for reasons for possible blood loss--this could be due to heavy periods, bleeding from the colon, bleeding from the stomach, and tests for celiac disease (which means you won't absorp iron from your food). If these tests come out okay, THEN, they usually send you to a hematologist.

But, please, don't be nervous. You will end up being in the best care for this. The hematologist will order all the appropriate tests.

Don't be scared. I have been anemic for years and have taken iron pills, vitamins, cooked in caste iron pots, had IV vitamins and still find myself anemic...and to the best of my knowledge, I don't have cancer. However, your doctor is wise to send you to a specialist. Remember, you can't fix what you don't know exists. Let him do all the tests necessary to ease your mind. If (hopefully not!) you do have something bad like cancer...at least you will know and seek the proper treatment. Just know, alot of people do not respond to iron pills. Don't worry!!!

A hematologist will be able to order more in depth testing. your doctor was probably looking to see if there was any body response at all to your last 120 days chance to make more blood cells on its own. The iron pills will not help you if your ferritin level is too low, and the iron will not help if you are deficient in B-12 or the intrinsic factor which the hematologist will be able to confirm or diagnose better. None of this is a cancer involved illness, just a problem that needs addressing by another doctor who is a blood specialist

Welcome to the group. A lot of us are in your situation or we were there not too long ago. I have been anemic for a long time and finally they sent me to a hematologist. You are going to the right doctor. Good luck and keep us posted.

Phyllis

Thank u so much to all who have answererd and have gaven me advise. it really means alot to me and to have somewhere to come where people understand is wonderful. What makes me mad is when had surgery last may the hospital told me i was borderline anemic, and just eat iron contain foods and told me it was no big deal. i was a 10 or 11 then. Now im a 7 and dr is mad too cuz he didnt catch it sooner. owell things happen i guess. Can u guys tell me what kind of test they will do to me? im a big big chicken! Im so tired of being tired and weak and pale. I have 4 kids and a hubby to take care of, but hubby has been taking over and i feel so bad. Sorry to ramble but had to get some of this off my chest. Thanks again everyone! Have a great weekend!

Nu2patch:wave: :yawn: ;)