I have had anemia for the last 3 years, today my doctor told me my anemia was at 109, what exactly does that mean?
thank you :)

I'm not sure what scale he is using. If it is hematocrit/hemoglobin maybe he means 10.9. If so, you are mildly to moderately anemic.

Now you need to find out what type of anemia it is and why it is happening.

I would request a copy of the results to know exactly what they mean. Keep us posted. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering because i was looking at all of the different levels and what they are supposed to be and it didnt make sense. My doctor thinks it's because of heavy periods. I have been taking iron for the last 2.5 years, and now my iron level is normal, but i'm still anemic. Im going to have a bone marrow test done soon, to rule out any other causes.

It's good that they think that the anemia is due to your periods. My docs told me that I wouldn't correct the anemia until I fixed the blood loss, even with iron. Have you done anything to fix the problem? I tried to continue taking iron without slowing the monthly blood loss and I stayed anemic for most of the year. After I had an ablation and continued iron my hgb finally went up along with my ferritin level. I am to continue iron 1X daily until menopause which will be a while from now. Good luck with your bone marrow testing. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Currently I am taking bc, which doesnt seem to help much with the bleeding. I have been on them for about 5 months now. Im pretty nervous about the bone marrow test, I have heard that it can be quite painful.

My advice first to you as stated in another post it to ALWAYS request a copy of all medical/lab test results. You are allowed by law to obtain copies.

Secondly, Maybe you need to ask your doctor about changing brands of BC pills.

Have you had an ultrasound or anything to rule out polyps or fibroids which could be causing your heavy bleeding?

I have had horrible bleeding, found out 2 years ago I had a polyp. Had a hysteroscopy and things were better for many months, then we came back to heavy bleeding again. I went back on BC pills to try to help with my severe anemia. The BC pills are helping a little, but not as much as I want it to. Now on my second brand of pills, hoping for the magic cure.

I know we discovered I had a fibroid in July 07 and need to return soon to see if it is still present.

These health boards have been such a blessing and a wealth of information for many medical issues.

Good Luck, and keep us posted on how you are doing!

Stefarina

Stefarina and Uglygirl--That's exactly what I had 7 polyps that did not show up on the transvaginal ultrasound. At the time of my ablation they found and removed them. I hardly have a period now and as a result are no longer anemic, only low ferritin.
Stefarina did your polyp return at all? My mom had terrible times with fibroids, hope that I don't get those too. I cannot imagine going through this again. Good luck to you both. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Okay next time im in i will request for copies. I have had an ultrasound but it showed nothing, i have also had an endoscopy checking for internal bleeding. I was thinking of switching birth control pills, currently I am on Tricyclen 21 any suggestions of one that might be better?

Mine did not show up on the ultrasound. Did you have BOTH upper and lower scopes? I don't know anything about BC sorry. FLFLOWERGIRL:)