Anemia - Any experience? Update in comments

HBamama2B · March 2016

Please don't kill me for posting a new thread ladies, I know we are saturated, but I used the search function, and couldn't find anything similar, just a discussion on iron pills from December.

I have my blood results, but haven't heard back from my (asshat) OB yet. I'm below the normal pregnancy range for RBC, HGB, and HCT. I was below normal for HGB and HCT and at the very bottom of the normal range for RBC in January when I just felt dizzy and a little tired, now they're even lower and I'm nearly non-functioning. My OB didn't say anything in January about the results and hasn't called yet about the latest results. I know that they indicate anemia.

My questions are: Ladies who had anemia (mild or otherwise), how were you Dx? What were your symptoms? Where were you in the range (low normal or out of range)? And at what point did the OB recommend action (supplements/diet/etc)? I'd really appreciate any help. I'm mostly trying to determine how loudly I should be yelling when the (ETA: former) OB finally does call...

MynaBird · March 2016

No experience actually being dx with anemia, but I know when I mentioned to the midwife at my OB practice that I was still feeling tired around 18 weeks, she sent me off for a blood test just to be sure. Turns out I was just tired, but I appreciated her responsiveness.

NLewis1 · March 2016

I was dx with anemia during my last pregnancy. It was during a routine blood draw in the third trimester and my MW called and let me know and gave me an RX for iron pills. I filled them once and because they were so freaking expensive I called and asked if I could just take an OTC iron pill instead. They said yes. I continued taking my iron pills until about 6-8 weeks after delivery.

i actually didn't have any symptoms and I think my anemia was pretty mild.

mkemommy · March 2016

I don't have any experience with this during pregnancy but I was anemic for a number of years and just took iron supplements. Does your prenatal have iron in it?

ETA - I take an iron supplement now too in addition to my prenatal because my doctor asked me to (even though my blood results do not currently indicate anemia). When I was diagnosed with anemia I also had celiac and a vitamin D deficiency (both probably not helped by celiac). It was a simple blood draw that spotted it.

HBamama2B · March 2016

Thank you so much!

@mkemommy Yes, I take a prenatal with 28mg of iron every day.

@nlewis1 that's great you had no symptoms. Do you remember if you bw was low normal or below normal?

@mynabird yeah, I think that's more what I was expecting. I called my OB the day before my visit to say that I couldn't breathe, couldn't work, was extremely fatigued, weak, dizzy and suffering from a headache that wasn't responding to Tylenol. He called day of and said to take more Tylenol. At the appointment he said to contact my primary care doctor who could help with the pregnancy breathlessness and headache and ignored the extreme fatigue and other symptoms. (Asshat).

WinniethePoohsPants · March 2016

I had to take otc iron supplements with my 1st pregnancy. Just DO NOT forget to take fiber supplements, or you will regret it. Also, they turn your poo black. Enjoy!

goldie987 · March 2016

If you do end up on additional iron supplements, be aware that in addition to causing constipation like no other, they can turn a lot of people's stomachs so taking them with a substantial meal may be required to keep them down. I was anemic when I was younger and the first time I took an iron supplement I was heaving my guts out in the bathroom less than 5 minutes later because "take with a meal" is very different from taking it before you start eating.

MynaBird · March 2016

@HBamama2B Hot take: It's my professional message-board-commenter opinion that your OB sucks.

colesmom33 · March 2016

I found out on Monday that my Iron was low after taking my GD test. They didn't tell me the actual numbers but want me to take an OTC iron pill (Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg), I was able to get it at Target for $5. The nurse said that I've probably been feeling exhausted and this will help that. I was actually glad to know that because I just thought the exhaustion was from being pregnant with twins! She also told me to take it with food but not with diary or my Prenatal, because of absorption issues.

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

I haven't been officially diagnosed (I know we
commiserated on this in the other thread), but my HG was 11.1, so lower than the "normal." In addition to my prenatal (take in the AM), I take an iron pill at bedtime (to cut down on the awful stomach issues) along with some fiber gummies to combat the constipation. I'm having the same symptoms as you, aside
from the headache. It's rough :-/

NLewis1 · March 2016

HBamama2B said:

Thank you so much!

@mkemommy Yes, I take a prenatal with 28mg of iron every day.

@nlewis1 that's great you had no symptoms. Do you remember if you bw was low normal or below normal?

@mynabird yeah, I think that's more what I was expecting. I called my OB the day before my visit to say that I couldn't breathe, couldn't work, was extremely fatigued, weak, dizzy and suffering from a headache that wasn't responding to Tylenol. He called day of and said to take more Tylenol. At the appointment he said to contact my primary care doctor who could help with the pregnancy breathlessness and headache and ignored the extreme fatigue and other symptoms. (Asshat).

What do you mean by BW?

HBamama2B · March 2016

@nlewis1 sorry, blood work

@mamanicoleof3 yeah, it sucks! My HG was 10.9.

@jaceyannie so glad she was on it! And exhausted is definitely it. I told my DH I felt peppier in first tri. It got to the point this week where it was too much to lay down and knit. I thought I just sucked at being pregnant and was lazy. So frustrating.

NLewis1 · March 2016

Oh. I think it's was slightly low - under low normal but not by much

hollywoodave531 · March 2016

I've heard of something from my fertility Doc where some people can't absorb iron easily from prenatals and because of this, there is a special type of prenatal that has something in them that helps with absorption. Sorry I know that doesn't sound very scientific, but sometimes they screen people for this condition so they know what vitamins give you. Just an FYI.

cmac827 · March 2016

I just had mine checked and it was fine, but I have a history of anemia from heavy periods. My HGB was 9.9. I was given iron and vitamin C. I didn't think I was having any symptoms, but my body probably just adjusted to it being low for so long.

Boonhilde · March 2016

I'm often anemic, and am now too! My doctor called and told me to take iron but didn't tell me how much so I called her back and spoke to 3 different people before they were able to give me an answer. Who tells someone they need something and not tell them how many mgs!?! Anyway, they never told me what level on the spectrum I was at, but I was probably pretty low. I had a lot of bad headaches that I haven't had in a week now. (Yay!) And I'm just generally feeling better, but it's more than just pills. I have to add more iron rich foods into my diet along with the 325mgs of iron a day. It's the iron rich food that really makes me feel better. (Went to Outback last night. Yep. I feel GREAT today!)

HBamama2B · March 2016

MynaBird said:

@HBamama2B Hot take: It's my professional message-board-commenter opinion that your OB sucks.

Thank you!

HBamama2B · March 2016

@winniethepoohpants and @sgoldberg247 thank you! Will watch for darth poo and vomit comet.

Very helpful.

mno918 · March 2016

That really sucks that your OB is so unresponsive. My doctor's office called me the day after my glucose test to let me know that I passed the glucose test, but my iron levels were too low. They wanted me to start taking an iron supplement right away and sent the prescription to my pharmacy the same day. I've been anemic on and off since childhood so I've had to take iron before and I definitely agree on the need for fiber supplements or some kind of stool softener if it gets really bad. Also tons of water. Could you possibly find another OB? I know it's pretty late but she/he do not seem to be too on top of things.

Bee112309 · March 2016

I was told that I was anemic when they did my first trimester bloodwork (which wasn't until 12 weeks because I didn't know I was pregnant until a week prior to that). My levels were below normal. I've been on an iron supplement as well as my prenatal since then. I take my prenatal before bed, and my iron supplement with breakfast. Vitamin C aids in absorption, so I take it with orange juice. I agree with previous posters, add in fiber to prevent constipation! I have a slow-release supplement that I get at Target, and have had no nausea from it.

HBamama2B · March 2016

@mno918 yes, we are exploring other options. He's not going to be my OB any longer for this and a laundry list of other reasons.

two days still waiting for a call. He's 'out tomorrow' so now I won't get a call until Monday at the earliest.

vulpini · March 2016

My blood tests came back indicative of mild anemia during both my pregnancies. My numbers were a little bellow the normal range. Both times I was told to take 65mg iron supplements daily, preferably with orange juice to help it absorb. I was also advised to eat iron-rich foods and cook on a cast iron skillet.

cjackrunfast78 · March 2016

I have low iron and I take the liquid iron. I hate the constipation that iron pills bring so I either fill the prescription or request the location of the liquid iron from the pharmacy. Only down side is that there is not a child proof cap on the liquid iron so I have to keep it up high away from the kids. Plus vitamin c helps your body absorb iron but I second the comment about iron rich foods on top of the supplements. Good Luck!!

Starlight32 · March 2016

My ob did a routine blood test at 27 weeks (when I did gtt) and called me immediately (like 2 business days later) to tell me to start iron supplement. Mine isn't that bad though, I'm taking 45mg elemental iron supplement per day and eating 100% fortified iron cereal. I don't have any symptoms different from normal, probably because it's only a mild case.

Tawny87 · March 2016

I was consistently anemic my twin pregnancy, which is common in multiples, they just kept upping my iron until the numbers improved. So far so good this pregnancy.

tjenkins528 · March 2016

I found out I was anemic after my glucose test. Nurse just called the next day and told me my levels were low and to take iron supplements on top of the prenatals. I take them at night because they are a little rough on my stomach. Sorry your doctor sucks!!

colesmom33 · March 2016

@Hbamama2B I'm right there with you!! I started crying the other morning because I didn't know if I could make it through work that day!! It's been a tired I've never known!! It's too bad there's not another doctor or nurse you can talk to so you can at least start taking some medication!!

HBamama2B · March 2016

@jaceyannie ugh, so sorry lady! Thanks for commiserating. I hope you start to feel better soon!

I took a 'gentle' otc iron supplement today (wanted to wait until I got the ok, but with this tool...) and am calling to demand to speak to any doctor tomorrow.

kaitielynnrichardson · March 2016

I have no idea what my exact level was/is, but I am on the low end, and was diagnosed with anemia in my first tri. I have to take an otc iron pill daily. I take my prenatal in the morning and iron at night. If you take them together, your body may have a tougher time absorbing the iron. At least that's what I was told. Thankfully, I have not had any issues with constipation. Good luck!!

vulpini · March 2016

Oh, also I was told not to take my iron at the same time as any anti-acids (Pepcid, Tums) that I take for heartuburn because it won't absorb as well.

crdo · March 2016

No experience here, but I'm sorry your OB is such a dick, and I'm sorry you're having such a rough time

purplefan1 · March 2016

Jumping in to agree that iron supplements suck in the poo arena. I don't think I have it now but have had anemia a lot in the past and hate taking iron pills. They make my poo all tar like and scary. The type of poo where you wipe a billion times but just feel so unclean. UNCLEAN! Fiber is your friend. Hope you feel better!!

Edited for words.

HBamama2B · March 2016

Thanks ladies. I was silently happy to have finally escaped the rabbit poo of first tri, but now it looks like I'll get a whole new ick. Better than feeling like this though. I may invest in wet wipes. Thank you so much for the helpful tips and support!!!

kaitielynnrichardson · March 2016

DH is jealous of my wet wipes!! Apparently I was supposed to buy them for his bathroom too!! LoL

. Good luck momma!!

Knottie55378246 · March 2016

I have been taking Ferralet 90 since the end of my first trimester. I was not terribly anemic but my Dr didn't want to take any chances. The prescription is expensive and insurance would not cover it for some reason, but my Dr was able to find coupon which made a big difference. It's hard to tell if I had symptoms since I also have to get my blood checked often to check on my thyroid. Both of those (hypothyroidism and anemia ) can cause lethargy. Gotta love getting blood drawn often! But I am thankful my Dr is on it. Sounds like you have not had such luck!

PBear93 · March 2016

I don't have experience with anemia during pregnancy, but after my c-section with my first I had a hematoma and lost a lot of blood, had to have a second surgery, and ended up having a blood transfusion. As a result I had to be on iron supplements for about 6 months after birth. I agree with the poop comments and the taking it during a meal.
Good luck finding a new OB and I hope the iron helps you feel better quickly.

candicek15 · March 2016

I'm in the same boat as a few others. After my GT the nurse called me and told me that my iron was low (though she didn't comment on the GT - no news is good news?) and to take an OTC iron supplement, 300mg. She didn't use the word anemic and I didn't think I was particularly tired, but I am on bed rest so my days are not very tiring! I take my prenatals at bed and the iron with breakfast. I didn't realize that dairy doesn't go well with iron, so I'll switch to OJ and save the milk for lunch now!

HBamama2B · March 2016

Glad this is helpful for others too!!

Quick update- taking supplements once a day with OJ and eating more iron/fiber throughout the day. My (soon-to-be former) OB still hasn't gotten back to me. I left a message this morning asking any of the other OBs to call me back asap. Nothing so far.

I reached out to a midwife pairing my doula recommended, however, and heard back quickly. We have an interview with them next Thursday to see if they might be a good fit.

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

@HBMama2B- I'm impressed they got back to you so quickly! I hope that bodes well for their care of patients and that you feel secure with them!!

arteduc8 · March 2016

I found out I'm mildly anemic after getting back my GD results. The nurse sent me a message via mychart and they want me to take an iron supplement. I had been taking one all along, but I had been taking it at the same time as my prenatals in the morning. They told me to take it at night opposite of my vitamins. This is the supplement I take: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FYOU6AG/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_g121_i2_sh I was told not to take it with my prenatals and also that calcium can block the absorption. Vitamin C can help the absorption so I had been taking the iron with my OJ but stopped because I drink the OJ with calcium.

My low results are below. I was told this was in the mild range. The second column with numbers is the standard range, the first column are my levels, to give you a point of comparison.

RED BLOOD CELL COUNT	3.58 10*6/uL	3.70 - 5.20 10*6/uL	L
HEMOGLOBIN	11.0 g/dL	11.2 - 15.7 g/dL	L

LYMPH PERCENT

18.7 %

20.5 - 51.1 %

L

sorarose · March 2016

I was anemic last pregnancy and shocked that I'm not yet, considering I feel the same. Apparently, anemia and exhaustion from a toddler have similar symptoms.

I was told to take Vitron C last pregnancy. Vitamin C is supposed to help with iron absorption. Everything worked out fine, so don't worry about it!

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Anemia - Any experience? Update in comments

Re: Anemia - Any experience? Update in comments

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

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

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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