If i suspect I am anemic, should i just buy an over the counter iron supplement?
544606
My dear, please consult your doctor if you're not sure. I doubt it that you're anaemic. The symptoms that you felt before and during your periods are quite normal, really. If you're anaemic, you can usually see certain signs (for example, pallor of your palms and at the inside of your lower eyelids). You would also likely be experiencing lethargy, palpitations or worse, fainting spells.\n\nHeavy flow on the first 3 days of your periods are normal. Usually, it's consider heavy bleeding if 5 pads or more are fully soaked. \n\nPlease consult your doctor if you want further peace of mind :)
230009
Take a multi vitamin, with added iron.  Iron supplements can cause medical problems (such as constipation) so, you should consult a doctor before taking a supplement.  Eat foods high in iron, such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, watermelon (yep, watermelon), and go to the library or book store and browse through the diet and nutrition section.
963681
it could be caused my the extra iron they put in pre-natal vitamins, but call your doc, not worth the risk.
666376
My wife was the same way.  She started taking iron supliments and it really helped out.  Try asking a doctor if you need iron.
808752
Anaemic means that you are iron deficient in your blood.  Most people can fix this with altering their diets, while others need to take iron supplements.\nFoods that are highest in iron are meats.  Red meats are the richest in iron, followed by white meats.  Then, dark green, leafy veggies, and some whole grains.\nAlso, taking a vitamin C supplement with your iron rich foods will increase the absorption... \nAsk your Dr. whether taking a supplement is necessary, or if you can make the change w/ your diet.  \n\nGood luck!
794959
No, it means that you are low in iron.  It's proven.  Take a multivitamin or eat some raisins.
105531
I would talk to your doctor first, but Iron supplent pills might help.... ALthough depending on your reason for the fast that may not be an option.
593285
Anemia means you are low in iron and it can be treated easily, might explain why you're "bored" same with mono. been there took 3 months to get better. wears you out...
485362
I really don't think chocolate will do more but satisfy a craving and make you gain weight.If you are feeling weak and tired all the time,maybe you should have your dr check your hemoglobin you could be anemic,you could try some Over the counter Iron Pills.
510621
I have found that severe anemia does strange things to periods as well.  If you have been advised by your doctor that you are anemic, you may want to continue taking iron supplements.  I had interminable periods, spotting at other times and at still other times horrifically heavy flow, when I started taking an iron supplement in the AM and one in the PM, viola!  Cured -after several decades of Doctors running all sorts of expensive and inconclusive tests.\n\nIt does sound as if a Doctor visit is in order for you. However,if all the tests are inconclusive. Don't give up.  Sometimes there are incredibly simple solutions available.
864846
"For iron deficiency anemia in women, a diet with iron rich foods along with iron supplements is often recommended. Absorption of iron from food is influenced by multiple factors. One important factor being the form of the iron. Heme Iron, found in animal sources, is highly available for absorption. Non-heme iron on the other hand, found in vegetable sources, is less available. "
850915
Gentle exercise for your circulation, and iron tablets should help. But you should ask the doctor to try and find out the cause of your anaemia.
484310
Yes young and old, it's not common because with vitamin supplements it's treamtable. Iron-deficiency anemia affects your health as well. It can sap your energy and make it harder for your body to fight infection. And if you're anemic later in pregnancy, you're more likely to have problems if you lose a lot of blood when you give birth. You may feel dizzy, have a rapid heart rate, or have other symptoms that require you to stay in the hospital an extra day or two. You're also more likely to need a blood transfusion. \n\nCalcium interferes with your body's ability to absorb iron. So if you're taking calcium supplements, or an antacid that contains calcium, don't take either one while you're eating iron-rich foods or at the same time as your iron supplement. For the same reason, don't take your supplement with milk, which is rich in calcium. Drink milk between meals, instead. The same goes for tea and coffee, which contain polyphenols that interfere with the absorption of iron from supplements and plant sources. \n\nEating or drinking something rich in vitamin C at the same time you take your iron supplement or eat iron-rich plant foods can help your body absorb significantly more of the type of iron found in non-animal sources. Good vitamin C choices include a glass of orange or tomato juice, a handful of strawberries, sweet (bell) peppers, or half a grapefruit. Meat and fish (sources of heme iron, which your body absorbs much more easily) can also improve your absorption of the iron in non-meat foods. For example, putting a bit of beef in a pot of vegetable chili can help you absorb iron from the vegetables.\n\nIf your test indicates that you're anemic, your practitioner will prescribe an iron supplement of 60 to 120 mg a day or more. To make sure you absorb as much of the iron as possible, take your iron pills on an empty stomach. Wash them down with water or orange juice (the vitamin C helps with absorption) but not with milk (calcium hinders absorption).\n\nNote that these doses refer to the amount of "elemental iron," or pure iron, in a supplement. Some labels list the amount of ferrous sulfate (a kind of iron salt) instead of or in addition to the amount of elemental iron. A supplement that contains 325 mg of ferrous sulfate will give you about 60 mg of elemental iron. Others use ferrous gluconate, 300 mg of which yields about 34 mg of elemental iron.\n\nOne more important thing to note: Be vigilant about keeping any pills containing iron in childproof containers and away from children. More kids die from iron overdose each year than from any other kind of accidental drug poisoning. In fact, a single adult dose can poison a small child.
446744
Because blood transfusions are extremely invasive and there are many non surgical things a person can do to help with this problem. Like eating foods high in iron. Liver, green leafy foods, etc. can help. Your doctor could prescribe you iron pills that are more potent than the over the counter iron pills. What helped me and a friend of mine with anemia is drinking more grape juice and drinking ginseng. It made a huge difference in our health.
786934
No everything I looked up on the internet stated that to determine if someone has low iron is to do a hemaglobin test.So I dont see how you can be low iron but have a normal hemaglobin test.
861986
You need to take a multivitamin with100% Iron because I am anemic with the same problems, buy a big bottle and start off taking 2 aday to build up.
189218
Some supplements will have an effect on other supplements if taken at the same time. For example, taking calcium and magnesium together will cause you to absorb and use a little less of each mineral than if you take them at different times of the day. \n\nIron and vitamin E should not be taken at the same time, especially if you are taking iron for anemia.\n\nSome of the B complex vitamins will affect how your body takes in some of the others, so if you are taking larger amounts of one single B vitamin, take an extra B complex with it.