Anemia and Bruising Easily?

[AKL_Megs]

Lately, I have been bruising very easily.

The other day, I backed into something, and I got a bruise on my arm the size of a baked potato! I hit it kind of hard, but the bruise is exceptionally large for how I hit it. You'd think I got in a car accident!

I also seem to get small bruises each and every time I bump something. I have all of these tiny bruises all over my body, apparently from bumping into things, but I have no idea what I bumped into.

All of the bruises are painful, if that matters.

I doubt that I am hemophiliac, because I am a REALLY good clotter. The other day, I cut my hand with a knife pretty darn good, and it clotted right up in about a minute and a half. It's already scabbed over and healing.

I tend to get REALLY tired mid-day, and with this and the bruising, I am thinking that I might be anemic. My mother is, so it would make sense. But SHE never bruises and isn't prone to being tired. I am taking Slow FE (Iron) starting today, so we will see. Next time I go, I will see about having my blood tested. But in the mean time...

Are these typical symptoms of anemia?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

could be an indication for a number of medical problems.

sounds like you should have a medical professional make some tests and see what the problem is, then get treatment.

good luck.

 

[Rora]

OP, I think it's very possible that you could be anemic.

I was just diagnosed with anemia. I bruise easier than almost anyone I know- I had bloodwork taken yesterday by the absolute best blood-taker person I've ever experienced and she used a butterfly needle. Needless to say, 2 hours later I took off the bandage and had a bruise that made me look like a heroin addict.

Honestly, I don't experience the tired feeling during the day. Are you getting enough sleep as it is? I know that's a pretty basic thing but it makes a huge difference.

You should go see your doctor as soon as you can to have bloodwork done to determine if you do have anemia, or heaven forbid, something worse.

Keep taking those iron pills!

 

[AKL_Megs]

OP, I think it's very possible that you could be anemic.

I was just diagnosed with anemia. I bruise easier than almost anyone I know- I had bloodwork taken yesterday by the absolute best blood-taker person I've ever experienced and she used a butterfly needle. Needless to say, 2 hours later I took off the bandage and had a bruise that made me look like a heroin addict.

Honestly, I don't experience the tired feeling during the day. Are you getting enough sleep as it is? I know that's a pretty basic thing but it makes a huge difference.

You should go see your doctor as soon as you can to have bloodwork done to determine if you do have anemia, or heaven forbid, something worse.

Keep taking those iron pills!

Thank you. And about the sleep, probably not I keep strange hours and DO NOT get enough sleep on a regular basis. I guess I didn't think of that!

Good to hear your story!

 

[taylor3297]

Please go to the doctor for a blood test.

 

[Rora]

And about the sleep, probably not I keep strange hours and DO NOT get enough sleep on a regular basis. I guess I didn't think of that!

Yep! That'll do it!

Hope you get this resolved!

 

[Epcot luvr]

You need to see a doctor. Anemia can be a symptom of many conditions some very serious, liver disease being one. Don't start taking supplements until you see a doctor especially not iron.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks everyone for your concern!

 

[daisax]

Definitely see a doctor for this -- it's a sign of both minor and very major issues.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I bruise easily and I am borderline anemic (sometimes, I am anemic and sometimes I'm fine.) But you should definitely go to the doctor and get a blood test to see what else could be going on because there are quite a few things that can cause you to bruise easily.

 

[intheworks]

Please don't self-medicate with iron before seeing your doctor. You need to have blood work done and this could skewer the results.

 

[Imzadi]

It could also be a sign of diabetes. And depending on what you are eating, that could contribute to the mid-day fatigue.

 

[AKL_Megs]

It could also be a sign of diabetes.

Oh boy. I am actually hypoglycemic, so hopefully it hasn't turned into diabetes!

 

[vickyBaby]

Please get a blood test. Other people have suspicions and it's not anemia or diabetes. It is really important you get a blood test. Please try to get it done tomorrow.

 

[jsmith]

Absolutely see a doc as soon as possible-i have Horrendous iron deficient anemia-requires more treatment than just iron supplements-i do not bruise particularly easily and if im feeling fatigued it is generally a result of insomnia and not the anemia its self. If you are anemic you may need to make dietary adjustments as well as taking supplements. And i concur with the posters who say not to self medicate-it will skew your blood work and may lead you to a false sense of security about seeing a doctor sooner rather than later. The syptoms you describe can be indicative of a number of conditions and anemia itself is a symptom rather than a cause.
ETA-i did not have any definable symptoms-my anemia was diagnosed as part of a routine blood panel in a physical-i had not had one for several years-my own fault-and had been told i had a mild problem with it then-to take a vitiamin supplement-i did for a while and then life happened-i didnt get a physical-and i stopped the supplements because they upset my stomach-all of those things were bad decisions and i was on the verge of needing to be transfused when i was diagnosed.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

corrected in the next post because it was wrong

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Since generally only males have symptoms of hemophilia (women can be carriers, but there is only a 1 in 100 million chance of them showing symptoms of hemophilia), it's not hemophilia.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I just saw my hematologist this morning and asked him about some brusing I have. He actually said it is not an indication of low iron levels (which is why I see him) but can be caused by many medications. We went over my list and he said Ibuprofen will do it. I've been taking a lot of Ibuprofen - I told him the dosage I've been taking and he said that was it. Something about red blood cells not staying as sticky when you are taking Ibuprofen so you bruise much easier. Anyways, I shouldn't be taking Ibuprofen anyways due to my IBD so it's just another reason why not to take it.

So, it could be something as easy as an OTC pain med you take on a regular basis, or another medication you're on.

Make an appt for basic bloodwork to make sure everything looks okay so your doctor can figure out what is causing it.

Good luck!

 

[griffinstorme]

Anemia runs in the family. I think i have it but not noticed any problems ever