Canadian- With Low Blood Count.

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. Just wandering if anyone of my Dis Friends have a low blood count? I went last Friday to my knee Dr, and after asking all these questions, even if I smoke , he thought that I could have a low blood count. He took a blood test, but I want to start taking stuff now. I have already started to eat more fruits and veggies and drink more water.A good diet would be good he said. I want to prove to him that I can do it before I see him again. Now what vitamins is REALY good to take?

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Are you fatigued and did he say he thought your iron levels were low? If so, you will need an iron supplement to get your stores up and then begin eating iron rich foods, not necessarily red meats but green leafy veggies, etc... I would wait until you get your results prior to beginning an iron supplement, though.

I have been through this several times and if it is your iron, the supplement will help you to feel normal again in about five days and you will not need to take it indefinitely, possibly only for a month or so. I would highly recommend going to a naturopath for treatment, which is covered by many group plans. Their supplements are often of higher quality than what you can buy in the pharmacy or even from a health food store. Their advice on how to take the supplements is extremely helpful as well. Certain combinations will ensure that absorption happens optimally.

Good Luck!

 

[deanie]

A good one-a-day with iron multivitamin would be good along with a healthy well balanced diet. Beyond that, I would wait to see what the doctor suggests.

 

[rjan67]

I would wait until you get the results from your Doc. How did he know your blood count was low? From a previous result? Red meats have lots of iron (especially organ meats like liver) but also lots of green leafy vegies. Your doc will probably order some iron supplements. Usually 325mg 2-3 times per day. Take with meals as iron can be irritating to your stomach and you may feel nauseated if you take them alone. They also tend to be constipating so make sure you are also getting lots of fiber and water or you may want to take a fiber supplement or Metamucil. Hope this helps.

 

[disneynuts777]

Is it your iron or are your B12 levels really low? I have extremely low B12 levels which make my blood levels out of wack. I get B12 shots and that has helped out alot. I am no longer sleeping more than half my day away. I would wait to see what is making your blood levels low before trying to fix it yourself. Eat properly but I would not go overboard. Even with changing my diet and taking supplements I was not able to increase my B12 to an acceptable level. It can take a little work but it is worth the effort in the long run. Good luck!!!

 

[bababear_50]

Just wanted to say and Disney -Ontario

HUGS
Mel

 

[plowgirl]

Hi:
Disneynuts777
Do you mind telling me what your B12 levels are? My hubby has just been told his B12 is low normal at 239. What are your symptoms? He went to the dr complaining of numbness and tingling in his feet and hands and she wondered if it was B12 deficiency. He is now taking 1200 mcg B12 per day. Only been on the pills for 6 days so can't tell much.
Thanks
Nancy

 

[disneynuts777]

Plowgirl...My b12 levels when they finally figured out what was going on were just over 100. When I origionally went to my doctor he thought that I may be suffering with depression . I was terribly moodly, was losing weight, slept a ton, had pins and needles in my fingers and toes,was forgetting things and was losing my ability to concentrate.(My poor DH was positive that I must be pregnant) I always felt like it was a struggle to make it through the day. I knew that I was not pregnant and I really did not think that I was depressed. It was after the lab results came back that we discovered my B12 was almost non exsistant. I tried oral suplements for about four weeks and it did not really help. I then started going for 1000mg shots twice a week for about six months and I could not believe the almost immediate improvement in the way I felt. It has been three years since I was first diagnosed and I have been able to cut back on my shots to once a month with a daily sublingular oral supplement of 1000mg. It will get better. I still have good and bad days. But the good definetly are more frequent than the bad.

 

[disneynuts777]

Plowgirl....If your hubby is taking his B12 in the morning make sure that he does not have it with a coffee. It will be flushed right out of his system. I take mine right before I go to bed with some water hoping that it will have a better chance to absorb into my body.

 

[plowgirl]

Disneynut
Thank you for your help and info. He has been taking the B12 in the morning with coffee. oops He is going to start taking it tonight at bedtime. He has had the numbness in his feet for 3 or 4 yrs and our dr. just basically give up trying to find a cause. We have a new dr. now and when it has now started to effect his fingers we thought we would try again. We wondered if he should be on injections but obviously he isn't. I hope you continue to feel better. Thanks again