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Why is Gluten Free Gigi talking about Iron Deficiency Anemia?
I am severely anemic and have been for most of my life. I spent many years skirting the issue, mainly because I would become so frustrated when doctors could not pinpoint the cause of my chronic anemia. I did try iron supplements, but my hemoglobin never increased, so I would stop taking them because they didn't improve my condition.
I was often warned about the dangers of anemia, but with multiple moves for school and work over the years, doctors changed frequently and I really didn't want to tell the same old story to yet another new physician. I did not take my condition seriously enough.
For me, a hemoglobin of 9 was reason to cheer (I reached this level during pregnancy - once), but more common was a reading of 7, which was my "norm". Of course, I spent years feeling tired, but I'm a busy girl, so I figured tired was just par for the course. After all, I have always been a healthy eater and exercised regularly. (I later learned that the body adapts to the lower hemoglobin, which explains my ability to function when mine was so low.)
In May 2010, when I went in for my annual checkup, everything seemed normal enough, but when my lab results came in, I received a frantic phone call informing me that my hemoglobin was 7.5. Well, that explained why I was having trouble making it through the pilates, but that was a typical result for me, so I wasn't too concerned. My physician did want me to schedule an appointment to discuss a strategy to get to the cause of my anemia, and with 40 literally right around the corner for me, I decided it was finally time to get to the bottom of this situation - in a month or so.
I mean, I didn't want to rush into it, so I continued my daily routine and trudged through the workouts, and continued to eat all the good stuff. Oh, and I continued to be tired. Fast forward to July...
I decided I would go see my doctor (I did mention not wanting to rush into the anemia issue, right?). I thought I had pneumonia. I had all the signs - tightness in my chest, shortness of breath, especially when I tried to workout or exert myself otherwise, and fatigue. So, off I went, self-diagnosis in hand, to get the professional to confirm what I already knew and to write the script that would lead me to the antibiotic that would clear up this pesky little matter. It would be very simple.
Except, here's the problem - it didn't quite turn out that way. You see, it seems that I mis-diagnosed myself (I know, I was shocked, too). My lungs were surprisingly clear, my oxygen level was near perfect, and I had had no sign of fever.
"Are you by any chance anemic?" was the question, to which I replied, "what does that have to do with pneumonia?"
Nothing, that's the point. Clearly, it takes a bit of time for me to catch on.
An EKG was ordered immediately, along with a battery of blood tests to determine my hemoglobin, ferritin levels, and other blood levels that would be indicative of anemia. Those chest pains were angina, and my body was on the brink of being unable to function. Lab results were rushed and my serum ferritin level revealed that my body does not store iron. At all. I am not kidding - I had zero iron stores. So, the typical symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, headache, and lethargy were quite understandable. The other symptoms of chest pains and shortness of breath; however, were new to me. I did not realize that severe iron deficiency anemia causes these symptoms and more - pica (that explains all the ice I crunched!), impaired cognitive functioning (focus!), and brittle, weak, mishapen nails.
I was fortunate enough to have a physician knowledgeable about Iron Deficiency Anemia. I was put on an intensive iron therapy regimine and adjusted my diet to help my body better absorb iron from the foods I ate. This meant eliminating some foods like dairy, eggs, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol until my levels were up.
In a few months, I began to feel better as my hemoglobin gradually increased. By the end of last year, my tests revealed that I have stored iron (although low levels) in my body. I have been able to add a few foods back into my diet and have reduced my daily dose of iron supplement to one-third of what it was; however, I will be on a lifetime maintenance dose of iron.
Iron Deficiency Anemia is associated with Celiac Disease, and in some cases is the first clue that an individual has CD.
Click the links below to see more symptoms, research and news articles related to IDA, and several food lists to help increase iron uptake.
Check back often for updates!
I was often warned about the dangers of anemia, but with multiple moves for school and work over the years, doctors changed frequently and I really didn't want to tell the same old story to yet another new physician. I did not take my condition seriously enough.
For me, a hemoglobin of 9 was reason to cheer (I reached this level during pregnancy - once), but more common was a reading of 7, which was my "norm". Of course, I spent years feeling tired, but I'm a busy girl, so I figured tired was just par for the course. After all, I have always been a healthy eater and exercised regularly. (I later learned that the body adapts to the lower hemoglobin, which explains my ability to function when mine was so low.)
In May 2010, when I went in for my annual checkup, everything seemed normal enough, but when my lab results came in, I received a frantic phone call informing me that my hemoglobin was 7.5. Well, that explained why I was having trouble making it through the pilates, but that was a typical result for me, so I wasn't too concerned. My physician did want me to schedule an appointment to discuss a strategy to get to the cause of my anemia, and with 40 literally right around the corner for me, I decided it was finally time to get to the bottom of this situation - in a month or so.
I mean, I didn't want to rush into it, so I continued my daily routine and trudged through the workouts, and continued to eat all the good stuff. Oh, and I continued to be tired. Fast forward to July...
I decided I would go see my doctor (I did mention not wanting to rush into the anemia issue, right?). I thought I had pneumonia. I had all the signs - tightness in my chest, shortness of breath, especially when I tried to workout or exert myself otherwise, and fatigue. So, off I went, self-diagnosis in hand, to get the professional to confirm what I already knew and to write the script that would lead me to the antibiotic that would clear up this pesky little matter. It would be very simple.
Except, here's the problem - it didn't quite turn out that way. You see, it seems that I mis-diagnosed myself (I know, I was shocked, too). My lungs were surprisingly clear, my oxygen level was near perfect, and I had had no sign of fever.
"Are you by any chance anemic?" was the question, to which I replied, "what does that have to do with pneumonia?"
Nothing, that's the point. Clearly, it takes a bit of time for me to catch on.
An EKG was ordered immediately, along with a battery of blood tests to determine my hemoglobin, ferritin levels, and other blood levels that would be indicative of anemia. Those chest pains were angina, and my body was on the brink of being unable to function. Lab results were rushed and my serum ferritin level revealed that my body does not store iron. At all. I am not kidding - I had zero iron stores. So, the typical symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, headache, and lethargy were quite understandable. The other symptoms of chest pains and shortness of breath; however, were new to me. I did not realize that severe iron deficiency anemia causes these symptoms and more - pica (that explains all the ice I crunched!), impaired cognitive functioning (focus!), and brittle, weak, mishapen nails.
I was fortunate enough to have a physician knowledgeable about Iron Deficiency Anemia. I was put on an intensive iron therapy regimine and adjusted my diet to help my body better absorb iron from the foods I ate. This meant eliminating some foods like dairy, eggs, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol until my levels were up.
In a few months, I began to feel better as my hemoglobin gradually increased. By the end of last year, my tests revealed that I have stored iron (although low levels) in my body. I have been able to add a few foods back into my diet and have reduced my daily dose of iron supplement to one-third of what it was; however, I will be on a lifetime maintenance dose of iron.
Iron Deficiency Anemia is associated with Celiac Disease, and in some cases is the first clue that an individual has CD.
Click the links below to see more symptoms, research and news articles related to IDA, and several food lists to help increase iron uptake.
Check back often for updates!
