Two doctors, two results very far apart...

Thank you for answering.  I did nothing different in that 3 month period of time.  I didn't change my eating habits & I still don't feel any different. My new dr wants me to have infusions that I can't afford.  She is worried I may be heading for pernious (sp ?) anemia.  The other dr told me my iron was fine.  It's that they are such extremes.  I've been researching foods that inhibit iron absorption & those that help & from what I can tell it's a nightmare.  Every list tells you to eat fortified cereal & then another list tells you one of the biggest blockers is calcium. Then I find that Vit. C helps with absorption but some of the fortified cereals are fortified with everything but vit. C.  And they all seems to have 100% calcium added in.  I've eaten spinach salads all my life & now find out that even though spinach has 3 times the iron of other leafy greens it also has a big dosage of oxalate which inhibits iron absorption.  Also, I'm a big egg eater & eggs have iron, but they also have a protein in them that inhibits iron absorption.  It's a nightmare. What on earth do people eat?  

Yeah, they make it very confusing so that you don't know what to eat. I just ate the way I usually would cause if I followed what I read I wouldn't be able to eat any. I just cut back on the tea because I didn't really need to drink tea. Since one doctor says you are fine and you feel fine then maybe the other doctor or lab messed up. Unless the doctor gets a kick back/a cut of the money from that expensive iron infusion. May I ask why did you switch doctors? You might have to switch again. Too much iron can be harmful. So, it is good to make sure you need it.

Lots of red meat and and free vegies my doc told me then eat a orange after to absorb the iron are you are your periods heavy ? And its true to much iron isn't a good thing and what you have to pay for an infusion that's crazy I love the Australian health care system I would never need to pay for an infusion as it could save your life if it was needed that bad maybe go see another doctor and tell him you have had mixed results and that you are worried cause you don't know what to believe you should know I your iron is low cause o can sure tell its exhausting good luck with everything xo

I think I will go back to eating what I used to eat.  If it wasn't for the fact that the two results weren't so extreme I might not think much of it but it seems that there is a mistake somewhere along the line.  I switched doctors because she & I weren't communicating.  Ane she got a reading of 164 for my blood pressure the 1st part of 2015 & she didn't mention it to me.  I've also never had high blood pressure before.  But she is the one that I think has the correct iron count.  I don't know what to think anymore. Everytime I bring this up to anyone they seem to be just as confused as I am.  At this point I think I need to confront my present PCP & see what's going on.  If she isn't willing to work with me I may have to get another doctor.  My problem is I live in a very small town surrounded by small towns & everyone knows everybody.  But I still expect dr to be professional about my health.  Thanks for all your insight.

Eating an orange after the veggies will help despite the oxalate?  Thank you. That makes sense.  No more periods as I'm 67 years of age & so thankful there are no more periods.  Yes, our health care system here in the states isn't very good & neither is social security.  I'll consider seeing another dr although I really rather not.  At this point I think I need to confront my present PCP & see what's going on.  If she isn't willing to work with me I may have to get another doctor.  Thank you for your suggestions.

No problem. I like to try and help people if I can. I hope you get this iron situation straightened out soon.

The world needs more people like you.  Take care & if I can find you again I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hope all goes well yeah doc said vitamin c will help iron absorption i still find it crazy how America don't look after people in the fact you need to pay for health services especially a blood transfusion hopefully you can sort it xoxo

Thank you.  I've started taking my morning 1/2 iron pill & eating an tangerine with it.  Hope it helps.  I've decided to see my PCP & see what she has to say & if she & I can't develop a better relationship I will start looking for a new dr.  It's been very nice talking to someone who understands.  I don't have many like you in my life.  If I can find you again on this website I'll let you know how it all goes.

Thanks! You take care as well and please let me know how everything turns out if you can.

Susan bot sire if you know you can send private messages to people might be easy to stay in touch with people that have helped or you just click with hope all goes well for you and your doctor gives you the support you deserve xo

If you are not sure about how to message you click on the envelope near ones user name xo