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I've been ameic for five years. Is this normal?

Posted , 3 users are following.

lea10474
lea10474

I'm a 19 year old female and I've been anemic ever since I was 14. I'm tired of taking iron supplemts that work one minuet then the next minuet they don't. I stopped taking them weeks ago.

Does it sound like I need an iron infusion?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • crystal29909
    crystal29909 lea10474

    Posted

    does your Dr. know why it keeps dropping? I have the same problem. mine is from excessively heavy menstrual cycles. my hematologist suggested I talk to my Gyno about having a cervical ablation. which is where they basically laser burn the outer lining so you will have very light periods. due to other problems my Gyno said I was not a good candidate for this. an iron infusion would get you back to a normal range but you'd still have to tak the pills afterwards to keep you there. I have been seeing a hematologist for 6 years now. she checks me every three months and just now has she thought an iron infusion would help. I'm not sure if they use that as a last resort or what.  I would talk to your Dr. about it. good luck
    • lea10474
      lea10474 crystal29909

      Posted

      It doesn't seem like my doctor knows why my iron levels keep dropping, and I have no idea either. I use birth control for my periods, which i no longer have, and they were making me anemic in the first place.

      I would think that my iron levels would go back up since I'm not losing iron from my periods because I don't have periods.

    • lea10474
      lea10474 crystal29909

      Posted

      I won't have a problem taking the iron pills after getting an iron fusion.

      I'm confused... my mom used to get iron infusions all the time, and she no longer has to take iron supplements. She has heavy periods though.

      I'm the opposite- i don't have periods, but I'm still anemic.

    • crystal29909
      crystal29909 lea10474

      Posted

      Heavy periods are the main culprit for anemia in girls and women within teen and childbearing ages. If you don't have periods and are still anemic I would definitely have your dr. Investigate why. Sometimes you can have a tear in your intestinal tract that would cause anemia after so long but generally you'll notice black tarry stools. Also the way your body absorbs the iron in foods, if it doesn't absorb properly over time that too can cause it. You really should have your dr.  Find out why. 
    • lea10474
      lea10474 crystal29909

      Posted

      I'm going to call her today and make an appointment. You're so right btw!! i hope there's no tear or anything, and my stools are brown like they're supposed to be, so that should be reassuring. thanks!!
  • sarah00530
    sarah00530 lea10474

    Posted

    Hi lea, iron infusions are used as an emergency fix when iron levels are drastically low. Like you I'm on supplements but when I stop taking them my levels drop. I'm now taking steps to get tested for food intolerances as this can cause your body not to absorb nutrients properly.

    Can I ask if you suffer with heavy periods?

    • sarah00530
      sarah00530

      Posted

      Just saw the bit about your periods! I think your doctor needs to seriously investigate why you don't have them!!
    • sarah00530
      sarah00530

      Posted

      And again just re read it!! Sorry!!  Some of the symtoms of anaemia are similar to symtoms of food intolerance. Fatigue, headaches, and just generally feeling unwell. Main culprits are diary, wheat gluten etc. Defo an avenue you may want to look into!  
    • lea10474
      lea10474 sarah00530

      Posted

      Hi, Sarah

      I don't get periods because of birth control.

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