Hi,
I haven't been diagnosed with anemia, but the last time I had bloodwork done which was a few years ago they said my iron levels were somewhat low. I haven't been able to go to a doctor regularly b/c of no health insurance. Now I have health insurance again and I will go to a doctor soon.

My mom thinks that I probably have anemia just because of my symptoms: lack of energy, feeling weak, inability to concentrate at timese, getting cold, etc. I really have all the symptoms like my mother had before menopause.

The reason why I am on here is because I have had a rash on my lower leg for the past year. It is a bunch of little small red dots. They do not itch or hurt or bother me in anyway. They tend to fluctuate in redness. Some have gone away over the past year but others have appeared. People keep telling me it could be a sign of something worse, but I'm wondering if it has anything to do with anemia?

About a year ago I came down with the chicken pox at 20. It was pretty bad and painful on my lower back and legs. Afterward, I began taking these natural-based vitamins that helped me with energy problems. I ran out of those after a few months and was not able to get them again because they were only available through a membership that my parents had with the company that manufactured the vitamins. I began taking OTC vitamins but stopped taking them after a month or so because I just didn't really like them. About a few weeks later the rash appeared on my leg. My leg was really itchy and I began to itch it and not finding any relief. I seem to have scratched a little to hard and the red dots appeared. I put hydrocortison on it quite frequently until the itch passed which was after a few days. But the red-dotted rash remained.

I am going to a doctor as soon as I can schedule an appointment, but I just wanted to hear from any of you if you have any idea of what that might be. Thanx!
Steph

Steph,
I have a condition, ITP which is basically a low platelet problem and when my platelets go low, when I scratch my skin, it leaves red dots, called petechaie - (please don't trust my spelling). The red dots are not a rash, but a mild form of bruising, which is a warning signal to me that things are not right!

You should definitely see a doctor and get a complete blood count done - it's called a CBC with platelet count. That will be a start to help you. If your platelets are low, there's no reason to panic, but you should look into it, as it is a reason to be vigilant.

Fatigue often is the first symptom I have of falling platelet counts. You could be anemic, but you should look into it.

Take care,
Jill

Thanx for your response. What does ITP stand for?

ITP stands for Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura. It means the immune system induced thrombocytopenia (low platelets). The Purpura part refers to the bruising aspect of the condition, I believe.