Iron Deficiency Anemia

In case this is helpful, the only iron supplement I've found that doesn't make me sick is made by a company called Now. I took 18 milligrams a day and the blood tests showed it worked, just don't remember how long it took.

I'm surprised that, with all the symptoms and illnesses you describe, that anyone would think a single nutrient (iron in this case) would solve all of that. Bladder infection, colds, cold sores, stomach virus - that all points to a weakened immune system. One thing, maybe, "just happens" - but a series??? None of those things are the result of anemia/iron deficiencies.

And how old are you that you write this off as part of "being older"? That's such a shame that you would think this is inevitable. I used to feel that way but I've learned that a fully supported immune system can give you energy, fight the effects of aging, and keep you well. I'm quite sure I'm older than you are, and I used to be sick all the time ("minor" things I thought were "normal"), and I had no energy. Now I can go to the gym 6 days a week and outlast women 20 years younger than I am, and I have not had so much as a cold in 5 years. I have a colleague who was anemic her whole life and chronically exhausted - she now has 4 more productive hours every day, instead of falling asleep reading to her kids.

If you are only taking iron, I cannot believe that all these other things will go away. It's possible your iron level will come up in the 3 months between now and the blood test, but I don't think you can place unrealistic expectations on a single mineral. I'm happy to give you more info on nutritional support - but remember that your doctor probably doesn't know a lot about nutrition, and relies on lab tests to add one or two items to your diet. It's up to you how proactive you want to be and how soon you want to really feel better.

Hang in there!

I guess it depends on how deficient you were. I have been mildly anemic most of my life but it doesn't cause any symptoms and don't like the constipation that comes with iron supplements so I don't treat it. I guess what I'm saying is that a lot of people are anemic and it has nothing to do with their overall health. I wouldn't know that I am other than occasional blood work telling me that I am.

While I hope that your iron levels were the single cause of your recent bout of poor health, I would look at other things if I were you. Whatever the cause, I hope you feel better soon!

I think you should feel improvement soon, not sure how soon. But if you want to speed the process, don't rely on the supplement alone. Suppliments are acctually a pretty ineficient way for your body to get nutrients. I would look up foods that are high in iron and for the next several days and weeks focus on eating those foods. You don't have to pick the absolute highest rated foods for iron- like liver if they makes you hurl. You could eat a ton of steamed spinach. Better yet learn to start your day with a green smoothie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXr8-jru1KE

My sister just turned 40 and looks awsome. She drinks a green smoothie every day. I just started drinking them daily. We all know we need our green leafy veg, but few of us bother- so might as well drink it, add fruit and you'll never know you are drinking kale and spinach!!!!!! Also raw foods have phytonutrients and are great cancer fighters. So might as well be killing two birds with one stone while you work on your iron levels.

I have struggled with this my entire adult life. I discovered my anemia when I went to give blood as a freshman in college. I knew I was tired and sick a lot, but I had no idea about anemia- I thought that was an "old folks" problem-lol. I don't take iron supplements- just a multivitamin. I just do simple things to keep my iron up- leafy green vegetables every day, lean red meat at least three times a week, and cooking in an iron skillet whenever possible (esp acidic foods). The only time since then that my anemia was a problem was after the birth of my kids. I had to take iron supplements then until I could rebuild what was lost during childbirth.
Hope this helps.

Anemia can also occur because of food allergies, like gluten. Have you determined WHY you are anemic? I cut out all wheat in my diet and my energy levels shot through the roof! My sister has celiac and my daughter has a wheat sensitivity. I have not been tested, but I feel much better without wheat.

I've dealt with iron deficiency anemia on and off since I was a child.
An iron rich diet is definitely important.

Do talk to your doctor, but I would suggest making a log of your diet and your energy levels. Are you more tired at certain times of the day or certain times of the month? This will help your doctor determine what's going on.

Hopefully you'll have your energy back soon!

Best wishes.

Without knowing how low your blood count is, I would say you will start to feel better in a week or two. Make sure that you add iron rich foods to your diet such as red meat, beats, spinach, liver, and other iron rich foods. Hope you feel better soon

I've dealt with anemia since I was a child.

My body had toxic levels of iron... my body would not absorb it correctly.

During pregnancy my Dr., had me on B-12 injections and Vitamin D to help with absorption.

It has continued throughout my life, daughter is 17 now, so I keep sublingual B-12 and liquid Vitamin D daily. It helps.