Anemia
 

Does anyone have really bad anemia? When I last saw my doctor she said my level was 4 and its supposed to be between 65-165. I havent taken iron pills since they have been messing eith my stomach problem. I am always tired and very dizzy. Every time I stand up I feel like I am going to pass out. Is anemia really that dangerous or is it something I can not have to worry about and let it run its course?

You can't let it run its course, it won't get better by itself. Go to the doctor and get a different iron tablet, and try to eat foods rich in iron like red meat and leafy green vegetables.

You need to go back to the doc. I'm not sure what country you're in, but if it's the UK that's not a haemoglobin level, it's a something else level, but in different countries they measure it different ways.

It can kill you.

If you can't take iron tablets then discuss iron infusions, or iron injections, or even transfusions with your doctor. There are lots of options but if you leave it, it can kill you, yes.

It could be ferritin levels, although the normal range for that is 5-200ng/mL, which is quite different to what OP's doctor appears to have said.

But anyways, yes, anaemia is serious, and it's no wonder you're feeling so very dizzy.

Have you told your doctor that the supplements are aggravating your stomach problems? Although some gastro side-effects of iron tablets are expected, and you kind of have to deal with it until your iron levels are better. Are you vegetarian? Unless you're a ninja-vegetarian like I was, vegetarians often suffer from anaemia is because red meat is a good source of iron.

I too have anemia, and I've had to have 2 blood transfusions because of how bad it got, and it affects my general health pretty badly.

It can kill, as above people have said, it's very dangerous, and it won't go away on its own accord, you need to take the iron pills to help your body along with it.

If you feel nausea/stomach symptoms from it, ask for an anti nausea medication alongside it, it may help counter the effects.

Have a talk with your doctor about it, see what they suggest, and also have them explain about anemia if you're unsure about it/the dangers/seriousness of it/in general about what it is.

x

HB should read between 11.5 - 16.5.

Iron-rich foods include:
dark-green leafy vegetables, such as watercress and curly kale
iron-fortified bread
beans
nuts
meat
apricots
prunes
raisins

If ferrous sulphate (Iron) is not suitable for you because of the side effects, you may be prescribed a different iron supplement.

If you have anaemia, your heart has to work harder to get oxygen to your vital organs. If left untreated it can lead to problems with your heart and lungs. In the short term, iron deficiency can affect your ability to work and exercise.

Really, as said, you need to discuss this with your doctor. Looking at the numbers we don't know what scale they're in/ what they're measuring and therefore we cannot say anything regarding them (actually even if we knew we can't interpret blood results as that is against the rules of the forum). Because of this, I am sticking rigidly to your question (as that is all we can really do to remain within the rules and say that yes, if left untreated anaemia can cause HUGE problems. It means you have less red blood cells in your body and so you have a lower ability for oxygen to be carried around your body (as it's transported on these). This in turn means that your cells don't get enough oxygen which can cause them to die so it can lead to a LOT of problems and the symptoms you are displaying are definately ones which are typical of anaemia so yep, this does need to be checked out.

As you're already under the care of a doctor because of this and there is a worry about this going into further discussion about blood results etc (which cannot be discussed on here) as without knowing the full story people can totally misinterpret them and often one thing alone can be totally misleading, I am now going to close this thread as no further info can be given as to what you should do other than go back to your GP regarding this (something we are not a replacement for).

If you want to discuss this decision with me then feel free to PM me,
KimA, First Aid Advisor