Aa
Anemia
I am a 42 year old female. I was diagnosed in July of this year as being severely anemic and deficient in Vitamin D. I was started on Vitamin D and Iron prescriptions since then. What prompted this wast extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. Had chest X-ray that was negative and it was the blood work that showed the rest. My question is....it is now December...5 months since this was discovered...and I still get very short of breath. My fatigue isn't quite as bad, but I still get more tired than normal. Shouldn't I feel better by now? Still taking the supplements as well as Vit C to help with iron absorption. I tested negative for gastro bleeds and Celiac as well as had a uterine biopsy that was negative. My on/Gyn put me on birth control pills because he felt my Amelia was likely due to my heavy menstrual bleeding. I am concerned by my shortness of breath that I still experience. Is there anything else I should be checked for?
Thank you Jemma for all of the information. I have an appointment next week with a hematologist. Hopefully I will get some answers soon!
One thing at a time needs to be ruled out.
At this moment in time, it would be advisable to see the doctor again with regard to checking for deficiencies in the blood. And then proceed from there if there has been no improvement.
Breathing problems can be due to other factors and does need looking into.
For persistent heavy menstrual cycles sometimes a laparoscopy is performed and a D&C carried out. Sometimes polycystic ovaries and fibroids can cause a problem. Being aged 42 is also a time when a woman can start to have irregular patterns in the monthly cycle with heavy or no bleeds which is due to being on the change of life.
Whatever the cause, I do wish you a speedy recovery.
At this moment in time, it would be advisable to see the doctor again with regard to checking for deficiencies in the blood. And then proceed from there if there has been no improvement.
Breathing problems can be due to other factors and does need looking into.
For persistent heavy menstrual cycles sometimes a laparoscopy is performed and a D&C carried out. Sometimes polycystic ovaries and fibroids can cause a problem. Being aged 42 is also a time when a woman can start to have irregular patterns in the monthly cycle with heavy or no bleeds which is due to being on the change of life.
Whatever the cause, I do wish you a speedy recovery.
With due respect, and I do not wish to argue, you are incorrect and misinformed in stating that an inhaler would assist in the case of diffculty breathing secondary to a low hematocrit. In the United States, a prescription for an inhaler would have to have the concurance of a physician. In this patient we either have a loss of blood or a problem in manufacturing blood cells. Lack of iron is one of a dozen reasons why this could be a problem. Bone marrow disorders should ben ruled out, to include leukemia and a hematologist is the person for that differential diagnosis. An occult stool test is also in order. Hemorrhoids are another possibility. A small amount of blood can add up.
I am somewhat concerned because your physician has apparently jumped to the conclusion that you have blood loss, and not provided a follow-up.
The sqeaky wheel gets the grease and I urge you to go to a clinic in a teaching hospital for a complete new evaluation. If in fact ou do have a low hematocrit, you also become susceptible to infection.
Your problem cannot be resolved on an internet board, but only by finding a doctor(s) who will pay attention to you.
It is possible that more than one "thing" is going on.
The "other" things could be failure of the endochrine glands, specifically the thyroid, but also the glands that produce indulin.
I am somewhat concerned because your physician has apparently jumped to the conclusion that you have blood loss, and not provided a follow-up.
The sqeaky wheel gets the grease and I urge you to go to a clinic in a teaching hospital for a complete new evaluation. If in fact ou do have a low hematocrit, you also become susceptible to infection.
Your problem cannot be resolved on an internet board, but only by finding a doctor(s) who will pay attention to you.
It is possible that more than one "thing" is going on.
The "other" things could be failure of the endochrine glands, specifically the thyroid, but also the glands that produce indulin.
Exactly my point, the doctor will need to prescribe a prescription for an inhaler no matter which one it was and there would be no point in having an inhaler if one did not suffer from a lung disorder unless it was agreed by the doctor. If the haemoglobin levels are low, no inhaler would help, because there would not be enough red corpuscles to carry the oxygen round the vital organs.
The doctor orders a blood test to check the HbA1C which shows the average glucose levels in the blood over a 9-12 week period.
Stress, anxiety and depression can present itself as fatigue.
It is imperative that iron and other supplements are taken as directed by the physician. Only a blood test to check the level of iron in the body would show whether it was normal or not. Of course it is important to get other tests carried out should the iron levels be fine and the condition persists.
It is also very important to have good sleep hygiene and a healthy and well balanced diet.
The doctor orders a blood test to check the HbA1C which shows the average glucose levels in the blood over a 9-12 week period.
Stress, anxiety and depression can present itself as fatigue.
It is imperative that iron and other supplements are taken as directed by the physician. Only a blood test to check the level of iron in the body would show whether it was normal or not. Of course it is important to get other tests carried out should the iron levels be fine and the condition persists.
It is also very important to have good sleep hygiene and a healthy and well balanced diet.
(1) albuterol sulfate inhalers, as recommended, DO NOT cause oral thrush. This is incorrect information.
They increase surface area available for oxygen transfer. They are available in an electric inhaler to use at home and one to carry around. In the United States you require a prescription from a physician.
(2) an Hba1c test is advised whether or not the "doctor" thought it necessary. The objective is to see if you have a history of abnormal glucose levels. Both high and low glucose levels can contribute to fatigue.. If glucose levels are an issue fruits may not be a good idea.
It is unlikely that this is "stress or anxiety".
DO NOT take iron supplements except under the supervision of a physician. The assumption that low iron levels are your problem cannot be made.
They increase surface area available for oxygen transfer. They are available in an electric inhaler to use at home and one to carry around. In the United States you require a prescription from a physician.
(2) an Hba1c test is advised whether or not the "doctor" thought it necessary. The objective is to see if you have a history of abnormal glucose levels. Both high and low glucose levels can contribute to fatigue.. If glucose levels are an issue fruits may not be a good idea.
It is unlikely that this is "stress or anxiety".
DO NOT take iron supplements except under the supervision of a physician. The assumption that low iron levels are your problem cannot be made.
Sometimes people lack Vitamin B12 and that can make you feel tired too.
HbA1C blood test is carried out to find out the average sugar levels in the blood over a period of 12 weeks. This is done to check for diabetes or glucose intolerance. The doctor would check your blood for this if he thought it would be appropriate.
Please do not buy any inhalers. These should only be used if the doctor prescribes them for you after carrying out the appropriate lung function test.
They can cause oral Thrush and your condition should be monitored from time to time when using them.
Anther reason for shortness of breath can also be from stress, anxiety and panic attacks. So take things easy, don't overexert yourself unduly and do relaxation and breathing techniques to help.
As you have improved a lot, your iron levels still may not be high enough.
I donated blood one year and although it normally takes 3 months to build up a loss of a pint of blood, it did take me twice that time (6 months). As you have been on the medications 5 months, it may take you a little longer to be back to normal.
To help yourself at home, make sure that you get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy and balanced diet with fresh fruit and vegetables and foods that are rich in iron, like kidneys, liver, eggs, spinach, you my find more iron rich foods on the web. Cut out, or cut down on processed foods and fizzy drinks, sugary foods like cakes and biscuits etc, eat brown bread instead of white.
Read the instruction leaflet about how to take your iron medication, as they should not be taken at the same time as stomach remedies and some drinks like tea.
Also make sure that you drink plenty of water so as not to get dehydrated.
You may find that following a healthy and balanced diet as mentioned above may also help you with your PMS and heavy menstrual cycles.
Best wishes.
HbA1C blood test is carried out to find out the average sugar levels in the blood over a period of 12 weeks. This is done to check for diabetes or glucose intolerance. The doctor would check your blood for this if he thought it would be appropriate.
Please do not buy any inhalers. These should only be used if the doctor prescribes them for you after carrying out the appropriate lung function test.
They can cause oral Thrush and your condition should be monitored from time to time when using them.
Anther reason for shortness of breath can also be from stress, anxiety and panic attacks. So take things easy, don't overexert yourself unduly and do relaxation and breathing techniques to help.
As you have improved a lot, your iron levels still may not be high enough.
I donated blood one year and although it normally takes 3 months to build up a loss of a pint of blood, it did take me twice that time (6 months). As you have been on the medications 5 months, it may take you a little longer to be back to normal.
To help yourself at home, make sure that you get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy and balanced diet with fresh fruit and vegetables and foods that are rich in iron, like kidneys, liver, eggs, spinach, you my find more iron rich foods on the web. Cut out, or cut down on processed foods and fizzy drinks, sugary foods like cakes and biscuits etc, eat brown bread instead of white.
Read the instruction leaflet about how to take your iron medication, as they should not be taken at the same time as stomach remedies and some drinks like tea.
Also make sure that you drink plenty of water so as not to get dehydrated.
You may find that following a healthy and balanced diet as mentioned above may also help you with your PMS and heavy menstrual cycles.
Best wishes.
The shortness of breath is most likely due to the anemia, and not from asthma. A low hematocrit goes hand-in-hand with shortness of breath. There are many possible causes of anemia, and low iron levels are only one possibility. You need an evaluation/consult with a hemaetologist, who specializes in blood issues. Roughly speaking, if your hematocrit was low it will take quite a while to build it up without a transfusion. Nevertheless you should have shown some improvement. A current hematocrit is necessary. Normal for women is 40-44. Men about 45. Shortness of breath occurs below 125-130. There is a possibility that the blood cells are not being formed properly. While a cardiac issue cannot be ruled out, it is unlikely. Another contributing factor could be simple dehydration. Even if you don't have asthma albuterol sulfate inhalers can increase the oxygen transfer per unit volume and be helpful. Ask your physician. You didn't mention your blood pressure and heart rate. Most likely you have a higher heart rate which is compensatory, and not necessarily due to an abnormality. A cardiac consult with an ultrasound might be helpful in a differential diagnosis, but I am leaning toward a red blood cell issue. Crushed ice in the mouth will make you feel better. In addition get an inexpensive hba1c test for blood sugar levels and get a consult with an endrochonologist, who will test thyroid output.
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