anemia

shutaff · June 2014

I finally had the dreaded glucose test today before my regular appointment. The results came back before I left the OB. My glucose numbers were good, but the test showed that I am very anemic. While I don't eat meat, I do eat seafood and I am very conscientious about getting iron through foods like spinach, beans, nuts, etc. so the results were upsetting. I'm not sure I can do much more diet wise. She did say that if I feel like I am getting a lot of iron in my diet, it could be a B12 issue causing the anemia, so she sent me back down to the lab for another test, but those results aren't back yet. She also gave me some pills to take. Between the two tests, a Cystic Fibrosis test, and TDAP vaccine, I got stuck 4 different times and gave 6 vials of blood. Ugh. Anyone else dealing with the anemia thing?

Tinkerbell084 · June 2014

I also was put on an Iron supplement for slight anemia after receiving good glucose test results, i'm sure we'll check it again next appointment...I was surprised since I think my diet is well balanced.

Dawn5481 · June 2014

Yep, started on iron supplements last week.

Unknown · June 2014

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OutdoorGirl10 · June 2014

YoginiKiki said:

I am also anemic...I take slow fe. It's nbd

This. I've been taking it since this first tri. Dairy blocks or really slows the absorption so don't take it within an hour of eating dairy. Vitamin C helps absorption so now I also have to take a Vitamin C pill with each iron pill I take. For me, even with the slow fe iron that some say is milder on the stomach, I have to take it with food or I feel nauseous.

wandsandwine · June 2014

I got the same news good on glucose bad on iron. I don't eat fish but I need to start the iron supplement. I guess they will help with fatigue though so worth a shot to me

torooji · June 2014

I'm very anemic too. I'm taking vitaMedMD Iron 21/7. You take Iron (along with other vitamins) for 21 days and then reminder pills for 7. It's chelated, so it is easier for absorption and on the stomach. So far I like it.

My level hasn't gone up much on it but my situation is a little different. I have a blood disorder that cases me to be anemic so I have been my entire life and iron supplements can cause complications. Normal hemoglobin is 12 - 16 gm/dl for women but my baseline since I was a teenager has been 10 - 11.

My OB has been keeping an eye on my levels throughout my pregnancy and around week 24 it dropped to 8, so my OB decided that the risk it might go lower outweighed the risk of taking supplements. It frustrated me too but in the grand scheme of things I feel like it's a small price to pay to keep LO healthy!

Jenrileysmom · June 2014

I was just classified as anemic at my appointment on Monday. I was already taking iron and my levels dropped lower than they were before so they are upping my dosage. I went and got some fiber gummies tonight because I was already having issues going with the lower dose.

shutaff · June 2014

Thanks ladies. I know in the grand scheme it's no big deal just a little annoyance on an already rough day. I've had a lot of exhaustion, so this may actually be helpful to get the meds. I just made some Mediterranean Risotto with a whole bag of spinach in it. Take that, anemia!

Allison7 · June 2014

I am slightly anemic, but my OB doesn't put people on supplements until they are at a critical level...but they didn't check my iron again at the last appointment, so I don't know how she is going to determine if it gets better or worse. I eat meat but no seafood and I eat a lot of spinach and nuts, so diet wise I have tried to eat more, but there is not much more I could do. The OB did recommend some prenatals that had more iron than others and suggested that I switch up when I am taking them to allow for better absorption.

NLewis1 · June 2014

I just got my supplements today. The directions say to take either an hour before eating or 2-3 hours after eating, I'm wondering did anyone have any issues with nausea on these?

cristinaleeb · June 2014

I have slight anemia when not pregnant and this pregnancy I got very anemic. I am unable to take iron supplements as they make me very ill. I ended up having iron transfusions. I finished the treatment about two weeks ago and my anemia is back in the good range. I have other high risk,blood ddisorder issues as well. A lot of times diet isn't enough to keep your iron up. If your able to take the iron supplements, do it!

shugirl76 · June 2014

I'm anemic, too, and doc doesn't want me to start with supplement but simply add more to my diet. I'm already eating spinach and red meat but am adding fortified Cheerios and upping my nuts and dried fruits.

vk2204 · June 2014

My numbers were low, too. I have to take 3 iron pills a day going forward. My DR said I can take all 3 together or space them out during the day. If I take them after eating I don't feel sick or anything. But (TMI) I will say that I spent a good 30 minutes on the toilet yesterday and it hurt like a mother f-er.

shutaff · June 2014

NLewis1 said:

I just got my supplements today. The directions say to take either an hour before eating or 2-3 hours after eating, I'm wondering did anyone have any issues with nausea on these?

I haven't had any issues with nausea the last two days that I have been taking them, but I also have not really had any nausea with the pregnancy.

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anemia

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Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

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