Hello!

I just got off the phone with the nurse my ferriton is 7 should be 12-300 last september it was 17. My hemaglobin is 120 should be 120-160. I'm suppose to go in for a hysterectomy!!!!!!!!!!!!!............... .

Last week I was dizzy is that normal? I took an iron pill and I got a really big dizzy spell so I through out the iron pills. I don't know what to do. Everyone says I have to build up my iron. I am soooooooooooo tired. My vision is bad around that time of the month. I'm itchy?????? Not sure where that is coming from. headaches, hard time concentrating.

Can any of you shed some light on my dark situation..........

Oceanmist

Unfortunately I wont be much help but I can reassure you that Dizziness is caused by your Anemia. Have you been prescribed any meds? I know eating Lentils, pulses and so on is good for Anemia and helps build up your Iron levels.

Hi Ocean mist,

My ferritin is always low, it normally stays around 2, (it goes up for a couple of months following iron infusions) but drops as fast as it raises.
My problem is caused by heavy periods and an absorbtion problem. If you are having the hysterectomy because you have heavy periods, i would strongly recommend you have the surgery.
Being iron deficent can cause dizzy spells (amongst a long list of possible symptoms), so maybe your bad spell was a result of your levels, or maybe just being anxious.
All your symptoms are typical of iron deficiency - please keep taking the iron pills, they will help.

I have a lot of dizziness and lack of concentration. Thought I was losing it!! Come to find out, I have no iron!

Pills didn't work for me as I have an absorption problem and my numbers actually got worse while taking them... if your issue isn't absorption, then hopefully they will help you!

Good luck!

Can anyone relate to being itchy?? Underarms, behind my neck.....then I have this crawly feeling going down my legs too...but its different then itchy. Is that part of being low on iron?
Also I was reading on some post about ice? Having ice what does that have to do with low iron?

Thanks Oceanmist

Oceanmist wrote:
"I have this crawly feeling going down my legs"

Hi Oceanmist,

Have you had your b12 and folate levels checked. Being low in iron can also cause a deficiency in other vitamins, particularly b12 and folate. What you describe as a crawly feeling has been discussed many times by members of the pernicious anaemia society on their forum, exactly as you phrase it. If your doctor has not checked your B12 or folate, might be a good idea to have it done. Do you mean you crave ice to chew...I have read that as well on their forum, as a symptom of b12 deficiency.

Regards,
cats

Well that is one thing I don't crave....is ice...........I find that odd...why ice???

I have been suffering with these symptoms for years...in the last couple of months the dizzy spells have gotten worse and apparantly my ferritin has dropped as well. What this all means I have no idea. But it is scaring me......

I feel depressed.....and tired....I just don't want to do anything that use to interest me.........I do work thank god...that keeps me going.......

I have been on the iron supplements for 2 days......the itching behind my neck has stopped but not my underarms...........How weird is that??? This has been going on for over a year now. It must have something to do with my iron.

Oceanmist

It is called pica. I am the same way (as it seems many on this board are)... I eat ice like crazy when my iron is down.

Here is some information on it:
This is the habit of eating unusual substances, such as ice (called pagophagia), clay, cardboard, foods that crunch, or raw starch. For example, in one study, half of people whose pica took the form of pagophagia (eating at least one tray of ice every day for two months) or eating foods that crunch (such as raw potatoes, carrots, or celery) were iron deficient. The pica often stops, particularly in children, when iron supplements are given. Pica is difficult to detect because patients are often ashamed to admit to such cravings.


Hope this helps.

Symptoms:

anemia - anemia means a reduced number of red blood cells in the blood and is revealed on screening blood work as a reduced number of red blood cells (reduced RBC count and/or reduced hematocrit) In this type of anemia, the red blood cells are often microcytic (meaning the cells are smaller, which shows on bloodwork as a reduced "MCV") and/or hypo chromic (meaning the cells have low hemoglobin content per cell, which shows on bloodwork as a low "MCHC" or "MCH") Often the MCV and MCH/MCHC values begin to fall before the actual anemia begins to develop; these changes represent the body's final attempts to continue producing red blood cells without an adequate supply of iron.
fatigue
poor physical endurance
excessive sleepiness
pale skin of face or hands, pale or bluish fingernails, pale inner eyelids
sore, inflamed tongue
lightheadedness or dizziness
feeling cold, easily chilled
irritability
depression, unhappiness or withdrawal
poor concentration and/or attention span
nervousness or fearfulness
poor coordination
itching, localized or generalized
shortness of breath
heavy menstrual flow
menstrual cramps
racing heart or heart skipping beats
poor appetite
poor nails: brittle, thin, flattened, ridged, or spoon-shaped
hair loss
frequent infections
desire to chew ice, sunflower seeds, raw noodles etc. or to eat inedible substances such as paint, dirt, or paper
inadequate response to thyroid hormone therapy
whites of eyes can have a blue hue


NOTICE ITCHING>>>>>>>>>>>>>:) Always love sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.....................:)

Oceanmist