Just Diagnosed With Iron Deficiency Anemia

[MareQ]

Keli, thank you for that information. I had read about the tea connection with iron absorption.

I drink about 2 cups of hot tea per day during the week, and probably 3 cups on both Saturday and Sunday. During the week, I eat my Total Raisin Bran (iron fortified) as I sip my tea. I was wondering if that was enough to block the iron in the Total.

Also, as soon as I get home from work, I have that "pick me up" cup of tea. Within an hour I am eating my dinner.

I've been reading that maybe I should space my tea away from my meals. Your post kind of confirms that in my mind. You know, when you read this stuff on the internet, they always talk about the "possibility" of this but you never really now things like "how much tea is too much?"

Avoid dairy as well when taking your iron and if possible - take your iron with OJ Vitamin C helps a great deal when it comes to the body absorbing the iron

 

[HamTown]

I'm going through this as well... Three kids in 6 years and nursing each of them plus heavy monthly bleeding since my last child has sent my hemoglobin and iron levels south. I'm terrible about remembering to take my iron. I eat fortified cereals and that does seem to help (Frosted mini-wheats is my favorite: iron and fiber) My GP's plan is to put me on the pill for 3-6 months to allow my iron stores to replentish themselves if my levels don't come up after another month or so. I will head for my OB/GYN's office before getting the prescription to make sure there are no fibroids or other GYN issues causing problems.

My hgb level is in the 11's. Not actually horrible but with three kids I need all the energy I can find. My mother's dropped to around 7 before her hysterectomy. At least you know now and can keep a check on it. A simple finger prick every 3 months or so can make sure you're not dropping further.

Just another perspective and treatment idea. Good luck!

 

[Christine]

Avoid dairy as well when taking your iron and if possible - take your iron with OJ Vitamin C helps a great deal when it comes to the body absorbing the iron

Now how am I supposed to eat my Total Raisin Bran without MILK?

Also, and probably another contributing factor for me, is that I avoid OJ like the plague. It REALLY upsets my stomach. I have naturally shyed away from acidic foods because of my reflux. It's has probably made my iron absorption even worse.

 

[Christine]

I'm going through this as well... Three kids in 6 years and nursing each of them plus heavy monthly bleeding since my last child has sent my hemoglobin and iron levels south. I'm terrible about remembering to take my iron. I eat fortified cereals and that does seem to help (Frosted mini-wheats is my favorite: iron and fiber) My GP's plan is to put me on the pill for 3-6 months to allow my iron stores to replentish themselves if my levels don't come up after another month or so. I will head for my OB/GYN's office before getting the prescription to make sure there are no fibroids or other GYN issues causing problems.

My hgb level is in the 11's. Not actually horrible but with three kids I need all the energy I can find. My mother's dropped to around 7 before her hysterectomy. At least you know now and can keep a check on it. A simple finger prick every 3 months or so can make sure you're not dropping further.

Just another perspective and treatment idea. Good luck!

My last hemoglobin was at 12--not too terrible. The worst was my iron saturation. It was at 7%. The low end of normal is 16%. This just means I don't have much iron left.

 

[MareQ]

Now how am I supposed to eat my Total Raisin Bran without MILK?

Also, and probably another contributing factor for me, is that I avoid OJ like the plague. It REALLY upsets my stomach. I have naturally shyed away from acidic foods because of my reflux. It's has probably made my iron absorption even worse.

Anything else rich in Vitamin C will work As for raisin bran - eat it - just wait 2 hours to take yoru iron then Not exactly pertaining to you - but you'll get the idea http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pfitness/0,,45h5,00.html

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Now how am I supposed to eat my Total Raisin Bran without MILK?

Also, and probably another contributing factor for me, is that I avoid OJ like the plague. It REALLY upsets my stomach. I have naturally shyed away from acidic foods because of my reflux. It's has probably made my iron absorption even worse.

Floradix has Vitamin C in it to aid in absorbtion.

I was going to post about dairy as well. Try rice milk with your cereal.

 

[FloraFauna]

Try grape juice. It should be easier on your tummy and it is full of vitamin C.

 

[dental wiz]

I think you are correct and I would prefer to get it through the diet, but, honestly, I cannot eat liver. My mom used to make this once a week when I was a kid. I tried to eat it then, several times, and I just couldn't. As I sit here thinking about it, I can remember the smell of it cooking it the house. I guess I can try more red meat.

Well good luck. I truly believe that dietary iron is absorbed much better by the body than iron supplements. You might want to give liver another try, as there are several ways to cook it. My wife rolls it in flour before cooking and that seems to help.

Once you have a condition like this, you really need to move beyond eating for taste and start eating in accordance with your condition. And that might mean forcing down some iron-rich foods that you just plain don't like. However, if you just don't like liver that's one thing -- but if you absolutely despise it and gag on it, then don't force it.

Also, my wife went of BC pills, and her periods got much heavier. The heavier periods really took a toll on her iron counts. So you might consider taking BC pills, if you aren't alread. Just something to think about.

Good luck.

 

[Christine]

Well good luck. I truly believe that dietary iron is absorbed much better by the body than iron supplements. You might want to give liver another try, as there are several ways to cook it. My wife rolls it in flour before cooking and that seems to help.

Once you have a condition like this, you really need to move beyond eating for taste and start eating in accordance with your condition. And that might mean forcing down some iron-rich foods that you just plain don't like. However, if you just don't like liver that's one thing -- but if you absolutely despise it and gag on it, then don't force it.

Also, my wife went of BC pills, and her periods got much heavier. The heavier periods really took a toll on her iron counts. So you might consider taking BC pills, if you aren't alread. Just something to think about.

Good luck.

Thanks. Maybe I will give it a try. I'll see if my mom will cook some up for me. I'm guessing that I don't have to eat much--probably only 2-3 ounces per serving.

As for the BC pills, they've always made me queasy and they "mess" with my Synthroid (TSH levels are hard to control for some reason). I am thinking of going to the OB and asking for a Mirena IUD. My cousin has one and it has all but stopped her bleeding.

 

[dental wiz]

Thanks. Maybe I will give it a try. I'll see if my mom will cook some up for me. I'm guessing that I don't have to eat much--probably only 2-3 ounces per serving.

As for the BC pills, they've always made me queasy and they "mess" with my Synthroid (TSH levels are hard to control for some reason). I am thinking of going to the OB and asking for a Mirena IUD. My cousin has one and it has all but stopped her bleeding.

I think that's a good idea. Stopping your bleeding will make a big difference on your iron counts, IMO. Sounds like you're on the right track.