Low Iron / Anemia

N

NY25

Cathlete
Has anyone had any experience in this space? I`m experiencing ongoing issues with low iron and sometime anemia. No idea why. I am vegetarian, but I'm taking supplements and I really try to watch my diet.
I'm turning 50 this year, so starting to have some of the associated changes with that (peri-menopause for at least 5 years now - desperately awaiting the real thing - I want this over!). I've recently discovered a I have a large uterine fibroid. Is that causing my issues? Who knows. Next step, if this doesn't resolve is colonoscopy which I DO NOT want to have done. Terrified of the procedure and/or what they may find. Today, I'm so weak and lightheaded feeling (yesterday, too) that there is no way I can work out. (yes, it's that time right now). I can't wait to go home and lay down. It's becoming impossible to keep a regular workout schedule which is ridiculously frustrating. Hoping beyond hope I feel better tomorrow. What of this is impending menopause related? No one can tell, apparently. It's all very annoying and frustrating and discouraging. Has anyone had any experience in any of this space? Thanks, all!
 
I am going through exactly the same. Anemia, together with aged 50, vegetarian, in perimenopause, had a virus for last 2 weeks, now have a bad cold. I haven't 'worked out' for 3 weeks, although every other day I go for a 12 mile walk and marshal my energies for that. I actually feel better out walking in the fresh air than sitting at home waiting to feel better. But yes, for the last 2 weeks I have been without my usual energy levels, more fatigued, dizzy, spacey head feeling, brain fog, lowered blood pressure and pulse rate, and not able to do my usual workouts at all.

In the meantime, I am examining my diet for ways to include more beans, legumes and dark leafy greens, all sources of iron. And I am taking an iron supplement which also has vit B12 in it and vit C. So.

Take the supplements, improve diet, do whatever movement you can, so what if it isn't hardcore? Keep moving! These are my recipes for sanity.

Clare
 
Sorry to hear about your illnesses. I don't know about low iron & anemia but I would get the colonoscopy if the dr. recommends one. I'm only 41 and I'm about to have my 6th one. I had my first one at age 21 due some abdominal issues. Thank god I had it because I had 2 polyps removed. I have a family hx of colon cancer so I can only imagine what would have happened if I didn't have it done. It's better to find out earlier than later. As for the procedure itself, nothing to it. It's the day before prep that sucks. Clear liquids only (nothing red) and drinking the mag. citrate and taking the laxative is what sucks. But at least every time after its done, I'm glad I got it because no more polyps since my first. So now I get them done every 7 yrs. It's also not a bad idea to get one done around the age of 50 anyway. Wishing you both the best on getting better soon. Check back in if you hear anything.
 
((Hugs)) to you both. Feeling weak is no joke! Do not try to do things you just aren't up to.
I just would like to reiterate what firemedic has said regarding a colonoscopy. My Aunt had colon and endometrial cancer, so when something like this came up, I went for one. It is NOTHING really. And the GI gave me valium so I was on a cloud the whole time and watched my procodeure on the computer screen like I was watching a soap. Sooo relaxed. ;) It's a little longer than a mammo, but you feel it less so, much less so. It's an easy procedure. Get it done.

I've been a ovo-vegetarian myself for about 14 years and luckily have not had low iron issues. I do really pay attention though to what I eat in terms of this and have a printed chart on my fridge of foods that are rich in iron. It's a good reminder. I also find that minerals really work in unison. I take this supplement when I am not paying anough attention to my diet. http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-574957-megafood-balanced-minerals-90-tablets. Food sourced supplements are more readily absorbed than synthetic. They are large, so I split them and take half before lunch and the other half before bed. If you are already low however, I would take more than this and then continue with a more moderate/maintenance dose.
If you are okay with consuming (ethical) bee products, bee pollen and royal jelly are also excellent sources of nutrient & mineral, iron, b12 etc whole foods. I look for ones from local bee keepers whenever possible. I've heard some women even say that royal jelly has helped them with night sweats.

Clare, good for you on those super walks!! :) I have to back to those. I always feel so good doing long walks a few times a week.
 
I've had iron related anaemia all my life, and it's got worse since peri menopause. I eat meat, but it's still a problem. I take an iron supplement, on an empty stomach, along with vitamin c to aid absorption, every morning. Around the time of my period (very heavy), I double up on the iron. It has helped.
 
I had some low iron and B12 issues in my 30s. I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian, but apparently wasn't eating a decently balanced diet. I started taking supplements, and that helped (and of course improved my diet). I did some research found that if you're low on B12, your body can't make use of protein, no matter how much you eat. So those of you who are vegetarians might want to have your B12 levels checked, too - it's an easy deficiency to have, even though it can take years to surface since the body stores surplus B12 (like from the years when you may have eaten meat). You might want to increase your consumption of dairy and eggs, too. I recently made some more changes to my diet and decided to experiment with not taking supplements. So far I feel great!

Best wishes to NY25, Clare and Justine - this fatigue stuff is no joke!
 
I developed severe anemia from heavy menstrual bleeding, due to uterine fibroids. It went undiagnosed for years, with my doctor dismissing the heavy menstruation as being just a sign of aging/peri-menopause (I was 38 the first time I complained about it!). By the time I was 43, I was having all of those symptoms you mention, plus depression, plus feeling my heart "squeeze" when doing exercise. I went to a new doctor who was quite alarmed. She informed me that anemia will do serious damage to the heart, and other organs (they're not getting enough oxygen!). I had a hysterectomy last year (age 44), and I feel fabulous now. It took 9 months after the surgery to get my blood levels back to normal, but it's given me a new lease on life. The nurse who had originally looked at my blood work 2 years ago said to me: "You're tired. You have no idea how tired you are." I cried, and said "Yes! Yes I do!" But I really didn't. I feel like a whole new person now, and working out feels so good again. Good luck!
 
One thing I learned through all of that is that dietary iron won't do much good; it's just not enough to make a difference. I was put on iron supplements of 300mg per day, for about 18 months. The daily recommendation for a non-anemic menstruating woman is 18mg. Unless you're eating your cast-iron frying pan, you will not get enough from your diet to overcome the deficit you're experiencing. Oh, and I'm not vegetarian. Quite the contrary: I love red meat (probably was craving the iron!). Molasses is a very good source of iron, too.
 
Justinef said:
SRP - good point about B12. I love marmite (I know, I know, it's a Brit thing!), which has masses of B vits. I believe it's the Brewers yeast in it.

Sandra, thank you, I may go and get a second opinion.
Click to expand...

I adore marmite! Marmite on toast, marmite and cucumber on ryvita, I could eat that 'til the cows come home. Great stuff. It's true though what they say: there is no middle road with marmite, you either love it (my eldest daughter and I) or hate it (my youngest daughter)!

Clare
 
FiddleFit said:
One thing I learned through all of that is that dietary iron won't do much good; it's just not enough to make a difference. I was put on iron supplements of 300mg per day, for about 18 months. The daily recommendation for a non-anemic menstruating woman is 18mg. Unless you're eating your cast-iron frying pan, you will not get enough from your diet to overcome the deficit you're experiencing. Oh, and I'm not vegetarian. Quite the contrary: I love red meat (probably was craving the iron!). Molasses is a very good source of iron, too.
Click to expand...


300mgs daily: good to know, thanks!

I had blood tests done last week: I am apparently stubbornly healthy, despite feeling like crap! B12 within normal range, but low hgb (iron). So, I'm taking supplements. Good to know how much to shoot for.

Clare
 
Ok, Justine, Clare and Elsie. What is marmite? I got that it's made from yeast, what other ing? Is it like jelly, since you eat it on toast? I got that it's a Brit thing. Splain Lucy!!
 
Have you heard of (Australian) vegemite? It's a superior version of that!!!!

The brilliant marketing line is 'you either love it or loath it', so successful was this ad campaign that things that some people adore and other hate are known as 'marmite things'. It's simply yeast extract, salt (rather a lot) and b vitamins.
 
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