Low hemogloben

[Melissa in Australia]

So if you have had a low hemogloben how long did it take for you to get it to rise?

 

2 years ago mine was101. I took iron tablets up unlit just over a month ago. Per operation last week it measured 95. After operation it now measures 86. I am pretty lightheaded and feel completely exhausted after the slightest task.

 

I have started taking iron again and have a regular diet that includes both red meat and green leafy vegatables

[nd293]

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad.

 

My 'low' was ferritin (stored iron) rather than blood iron and I've only been on iron tablets for a month. That said, I've been told to go for a retest after 3 months, and also had additional tests to check I was not losing blood internally - your doctor should probably have suggested both of these when you initially had low levels. I'm guessing my doctor expects levels to be within normal range after 3 months. The blood donor service have a 'lock out' of 6 months, so I think 3-6 months is a reasonable window to expect improvements.

 

Does your iron have Vit C included or are you drinking it with orange juice? Vit C assists iron absorption. Coffee (not sure about tea and cola?) reduces iron absorption, so should be spaced between meals or iron tablet consumption.

[Melissa in Australia]

The iron does have vit c and I do not drink coffee or tea.

 

Yes I am loosing blood internally and just had surgery last week to fix one area of blood loss. I also am premenopausal with some small fribroids so have blood loss there as well.

[magnificent_baby]

What do your doctors recommend? Are you taking it on an empty stomach? If you are still losing blood from somewhere and it's even lower after surgery I hope your docs are instructing you on iron dosage and monitoring you closely. It does take several weeks for it to rise.  

[TXBeth]

If your low Hg is due to blood loss, iron supplements are not going to fix that. You might need a transfusion of red cells to carry you through until they get all the bleeding stopped. What did your doctor say about the low Hg?

[Arcadia]

My haemoglobin was low for both my pregnancies and also in college. I had to go on double dosage of iron supplements as prescribed and they ran a full blood count a month later to monitor. I had to be on iron supplements the whole duration of pregnancy, it was too low at first blood count, then climbed slowly up. Obgyn was worried it would drop again if I stop. My mom is also often anemic, her haemoglobin count is often low on blood counts. She is on rheumatism medication so they do routine blood draws to monitor medication side effects.

[Harriet Vane]

I took 125 mg per day for eight months before my ferritin score finally got up in the normal range. It takes a while. If you are continuing to have blood loss, it will take longer.  :grouphug:

[prairiewindmomma]

Do they sell Floradix in Aus? It seems they do: http://floradix.com.au/wheretobuy/

 

I found this, hands down, to be the most helpful supplement in trying to recover after heavy blood loss. Iron tablets did very little for me.

 

I drank this twice a day, and followed with a glass of orange juice each time.  My serum levels increased dramatically weekly, and I went back to normal after four weeks.