Anyone btdt with anemia?

Avatar for kel7col4
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Anyone btdt with anemia?
9
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 9:14am

Back in January, dd's hemoglobin levels came up a little less than the normal minimum of 12. She was 11.7. Three weeks ago, she was tested again and her levels were at 10.7. The drs wanted to do a full blood work up right then, but dd talked them out of it, promised to eat really good and take her vitamins. She had it tested again Thursday and her levels were at 10.2. ALL FOOD in this house has iron in it. And, best I can gauge, she has been taking her vitamins pretty good along with Vitamin C to help with the absorption of iron. She goes back in Monday and if the levels aren't WAY up, we get the full blood work up.

She's been complaining of a headache for weeks and from my research that could be from the anemia. She had a catscan and that didn't find anything.

She is tired a lot - I don't know if this is from the anemia, getting over mono, the grueling schedule she has right now, or all of the above.

Ughhhh, I hate this - this is my healthy kid that NEVER gets sick or hurt and this entire year has been one thing after another...

Anyone else dealt with anemia?




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Registered: 02-14-2000
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 9:53am
Jason was anemic when he was so severely anorexic last summer/fall.
Pam
Avatar for kel7col4
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 10:04am

I don't suppose you remember Jason's levels do you? I think I read that <10 is severely anemic and of course I can't find anything about it now.

I'll definitely keep you posted - not only does it look like she will be getting the full blood work up she is getting her 2nd Gardasil shot. All for a child that has recently decided to absolutely terrified of needles... that will be a fun morning!




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Registered: 11-28-1999
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 11:29am

I myself was diagnosed w/ anemia in Dec. They must have measured something diff. (Maybe hematocrit) since the initial number I had was 28 and that was considered low. The dr. put me on iron pills (to be taken w/ Vitamin C) and after a couple of months, it was up to 35. The joke was that she said "haven't you been tired?" Of course I'm tired, I work and have 3 kids at home. Isn't every mother tired? But I did notice an increase in my energy after my iron went up, then of course, I always feel tired and depressed in the winter too.

Then of course, I had to have all kinds of tests to figure out why I was anemic. It turns out it's all stuff in the uterus, so now I have to have a D&C. I cant' wait.

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Registered: 10-25-2006
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 4:03pm

If your DD were mine, I'd go for the blood workup if she was, in fact, taking the vitamins and eating okay for the past three weeks. In a prior life I was med tech, and unless a patient's health is compromised in some other way, a hemoglobin of 9.0 or above is usually high enough to avoid transfusing. The headaches and tiredness could be from any, or the combination, of the things you mentioned. While the Hgb level is not seriously low, I would want to know the reason it is low and has not been going up at all. The blood workup is the most logical starting point to get to the source of the problem.

Peace and prayers for you and DD through this drawn-out recovery.

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

Avatar for kel7col4
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 4:08pm

That's what has me worried - there is nothing that she is eating that is not iron rich! She's actually being grouchy because she is eating so much if that makes any sense. She forces herself to eat when she's not hungry because she is so desperately trying to get those levels up!! She was almost in a state of depression when she saw the levels dropped again.

The blood work is a given at this point....




Avatar for kel7col4
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 11:42am

Some how her levels skyrocketed back up to 11.7??? Is this normal for it to increase that much in less than a week? I'm thrilled, but wow, wasn't expecting that AT ALL!




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Registered: 02-14-2000
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 12:15pm
That's great!
Pam
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Registered: 07-22-2003
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 11:17am
Your daughter might become more anemic during her periods. Be sure she eats a lot of leafy green vegetables and meat (or beans) during that time to counteract the loss of blood. Is your daughter drinking enough fluids? Sometimes if your body is dehydrated, you can feel tired. And lastly, be careful with constipation. Sometimes increased iron causes that.
Avatar for kel7col4
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 12:00pm

Thanks for the info. She was on her period when her levels were down to 10.2 - she was put on the pill last year for this exact reason (erratic, heavy periods - low hgb levels). She lives off of water, gatorade and apple juice (won't touch prune juice though lol) and eats spinach and red meat constantly. The Drs yesterday were thrilled that her levels (11.7) were where they were and don't want to check it again for another 4 months.

On a side note: I just had to take her motrin up to the school because she had such a bad headache and seeing blotches.