Hi,

I was wondering if my situation was at all uncommon.

I am a 38yr old female who had her 3rd baby 5 months ago.

I went to my doctor when the baby was a few months old, feeling so emotional and drained and tired (new baby - go figure).

Anyway, he automatically said "PND" and prescribed me antidepressants.

I knew it wasn't that. I knew it was something physical but no-one would listen to me.

Anyway - last week I went back asked them to check my thyroid function AND my hormones (as I hadn't had a period since he was born). He included in the blood test request that my iron level be tested also.

Surprise surprise - it came back low - 5.

I am on iron supplements and have to take them for 30 days, at which time he will recheck my levels and we'll move from there.

Now - has this happened to anyone before, low iron (anaemia) mirroring depression ?

Just wondering.
Cheers.

Low iron with anemia can cause depression (not just mirror it).

It's a shame that we women get the antidepressants thrown at us so easily. It really ticks me off.

I'm glad you had your iron checked and hopefully you will be feeling better soon. I'm sure that the three pregnancies have zapped your iron stores.

I was treated for depression and anxiety for many years, until a new doctor did some blood test and it was discovered i was quite serverely anemic, im still unsure to this day wether the anemia caused the depression (i had no real reason to be depressed), although when my iron levels are low, the anxiety tends to return.
There are a lot of characteristics of both that are the same, some lazy doctors would rather give anti-depressants rather than do blood tests, it must be cause its easier for the to write a prescription than do a blood test!

I say that it causes depression and anxiety as well. I have always been healthy, exercise everyday, eat pretty good. A month and a half ago I started to get a feeling of not being well. I went to the ER one night because my heart was racing and palpitating as well. The palpitations I had once before back in FEB and went to the ER as this was not normal to me. The doctor did a blood panel said I looked good but to check back with my doctor about the thyroid because that could cause my problems. My problems went away and returned August 21. I made an appt with my doctor. He pulled the blood work and said I did not have a thyroid problem but I looked slightly anemic but it was not a big deal. At this point I was crying because I was so weak, tired, palpitations, heart racing, chest burning (acid reflux), tired(I wanted to sleep all day), anxiety, and my vision was off. I did not want to go home until I had an answer because I felt like I was dying. To put my at ease he sent me home with a Z-pack and an order for a Holter Monitor. I did the Holter the falling week. By the time I got to the office to have it removed I couldn't focus, felt like I was going to pass out, and my heart was jumping on every third beat. I was completely freaked out because I had my 3 yr old daughter with me. The nurse suggested I go directly to the ER. There the doctor laughed and told me I had anxiety and sent me home. It was not till 4 weeks later that I said this is it something is wrong with me and I need a blood test done. I was very depressed crying all the time, extremely tired, and having major anxiety attacks because I felt something was just not right, but everyone around me was telling me I was fine. Sure enough I got the blood test done after 12 hours of fasting (I also have low blood sugar so I almost passed out from dizziness) my doctors office called right away and said you need to go in for another test you are severly anemic and we need to find out why. Of course I was happy but also scared. It turns out that I have low iron. I am currently taking supplements to see if those work. After a night of sleep I still wake up tired and am tired and foggy all day off and on. My doctor said it will take a few weeks to get my stores back up, but I am a little iffy on what they say because I actually had to request a new blood test to be done. However, my depression is subsiding and my anxiety is gone(thank goodness!) It may be because I found out what was wrong with me but I think it is because I am getting the much needed Iron back in my body. It has been almost two weeks now.
Sometimes I wonder about these doctors! lol
Hope you get to feeling well and everyone else too! :)

Thank you so much for your responses. It's good to know that I'm not going crazy and that this anxiety can be put to something.

Unfortantely, I started iron supplementation only 7 days ago, but my period started then also and I've been bleeding, quite heavy, for 7 days so I think the iron supplement has done bugger all.

I'll just have to wait for that to settle and then hopefully a couple more weeks on the iron and I'll start to feel my normal self again.

And yes, doctors worldwide have a lot to answer for!

My anemia got diagnosed only because my very astute therapist said "go get a bloodtest, just to rule out a physical problem" and lo and behold, I was low in iron and becoming anemic (my ferritin was at 4, which means practically no storage). My hair was falling out and I was semi-depressed and having anxiety symtoms, which is why I went to see the therapist in the first place. I was just so on edge with the kids and my husband, I thought I needed anti depressants.

I have been on iron supplements for a couple of months now and feel MUCH MUCH better now. I still have my normal "grumpy mom" moments, but overall, I feel like myself again. I was getting vague headaches and fatigue as well, which I attributed to stress, but that were actually from the iron deficiency.

Good luck and if you don't start feeling better within a month, as for a specialist referral.

Chandra

Chandrar, how long until you started noticing a difference in your energy levels and generally feeling better ?

I started iron supplement 9 days ago. Having said that, my period started 9 days ago also and I've been bleeding for the whole time.

But I just want to feel normal again. I want my energy back.

But I understand it takes a while for iron to build back up again - how long ?

hi iv been taking iron for a year now ferritin level gone up frpm 12 to 32 but i still feel ill after a period,i have fibroids and still waiting for them to be sorted out:(

I noticed some subtle differences about 2-3 weeks later, and definite differences in 6 weeks. I stopped getting my headaches ,"faded head", and got my energy level and "sharpness" feeling back in about the 6-8 week time period. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel like myself until I started feeling like that again, if that makes sense. My hemo doctor had me double up my iron and I honestly haven't noticed any additional changes, but overall I'd say I feel pretty "normal".

HTH!
Chandra

Thanks for that. I'm a bit of a mess at the moment. I've now been bleeding for 20 days. Saw specialist (Gyno) last week and he found a bleed in my uterus, which needs to be sorted and is probably the source of my low iron. But that is all going to be looked into next week.

I've been taking the iron supplement for only 20 days, but considering that I've been bleeding the whole time, I'm sure my levels have probably not moved much.

And headaches, oh, don't get me started on the headaches ... don't know if my period or the iron is to blame but I'M SO OVER THEM !