????Low iron

[Reese777]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if having low iron in your blood can make you lethargic...

I gave blood on Wednesday, and the person testing me said that my blood didn't "drop" fast enough - and that my iron may be too low. She took a little slide of my blood and went to another area, and when she came back she said I was fine.

 

[jonahnah]

Low iron is another term for anemia and yes, it can make you lethargic. I was mildly anemic for years due to heavy periods and it absolutely takes a toll on you. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to take to find if you're anemic. BTW, I don't think you are allowed to donate blood if you are anemic so you should probably find out asap. HTH!

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.

 

[Sunshine 1528]

Mine was actually too low to donate the last time I went.

And I have had low iron before too - as jonahnah said.

 

[wutherhi]

It can definitely make you unbelievably tired. I thought I was just getting lazy! It can also make you crave ice. How weird is that?

I remember looking outside at the snow one time thinking, ohmigosh, that looks sooooo good. I actually scooped some up and ate it. Yuck! And it WAS good! Before long, I was eating six or eight POUNDS of ice a day! I have worn out three ice crushers. Literally. I have one and a spare, just in case this one quits too. That's how desperate I've been for ice.

When I finally found out from the doctor that the ice cravings were caused by anemia, I started taking a multivitamin with iron and the ice cravings are gradually going away. The lethargy, on the other hand, changed dramatically in a reasonably short time. I just keep feeling better and better.

Shari

 

[nancy324]

Be careful, Reese. Don't just start adding iron supplements to your diet without first determining that you are anemic. Anemia is not that common, and our diets are full of iron. Last time I saw my doc she told me my iron level was too high! So many foods are good sources of iron from tuna and salmon to broccoli and asparagus to oatmeal and kidney beans. I don't know about you, but I eat many of these foods on a daily basis. So, unless you're diagnosed as having low iron, I would stay away from iron supplements in pill form, in case you're considering it. Check with your doctor first.

ETA: I have never been able to give blood!! They always say my blood pressure is "too low", yet my doc says my blood pressure is just fine. What gives??

 

[lala1]

Interesting that this comes up now. I was just in to my doc and while there mentioned that my hair seems to be thinning. She ordered a thyroid test and iron. My ferritin came back low, although my hematocrit and hemoglobin are fine. So, I am taking a daily multivitamin and increasing my intake of high iron foods. In the meantime, when the alarm goes off at 4:45 and I can't seem to get out of bed, I can say "I have low iron, think I'll go back to sleep!" and feel no guilt ;-)