Iron deficiency...

[Iron_Maiden]

Over a year ago I had some blood tests taken when I felt extremely tired/ emotional/ anxious. The only thing discovered was that I was deficient in iron (not anaemic). I started taking suppliments. Ive been taken the suppliments on and off for over a year now. I cant take them everyday as they play havoc with my stomach - Ive tried both tablets and liquid and Spatone (R) :(  I was tested again 3 months ago and scored 25 (which Ive been told is very low on a range of 20-300). I have been to a number of docs and they all just tell me to take suppliments. I have also made a real effort with my diet. Regarding the anxiety (which turned into panic attacks) I attended CBT for over a year and after some serious monitoring it appears that the anxiety is linked to the lack of iron!!! Has anyone else had this problem/ can anyone gve me some advice on what to do now????

[sunshinedawn]

BTW nothing is insignificant when it comes to your health... SHAME on your DR.

[sunshinedawn]

Just a thought...are you taking any other supps that could help you absorb the iron or tried to eat more foods with iron in them.
Has the Dr. said why it could be low. Usually there is a reason why your body wouln't absorb it naturally. My father-in-law had the same symptoms and they still can't find what is wrong. He has even had to undergo blood transfussions. You probably should see a hematologist.

[Jennifer1987]

I think Im in the same boat as you. I have been suffering from anxiety the last month or so. I didnt know what to do. I actually think Im losin my mind. I went to my doc. and he told me it was jus anxiety which I doubted. I asked him to do some blood tests jus to rule out things. Got the results today and Im anemic, the iron deficent one. I was anemic aswell about 3 yrs ago. Im on Galfer FA tablets. They worked before so I hope they do this time to.. Hoping the anxiety will go away shortly now. I had the implanon contraception in for 2 yrs which messed round with my periods etc.I think this is all linked! If nothing has worked for you try Galfer FA! If your feeling better let me no cos I tink im goin mad now!

[Iron_Maiden]

Thanks for the post...

I'll definitely make a note of all you have said and raise it when I visit my doc on Wednesday, to be honest, I am not expecting any help from him, he's the kind to prefer to offer you anti-depressants in a hope to get rid of any problems :(

I'm not anaemic by the way but I am assuming I can still go for those tests you described?

I cannot believe that a lot of heartache/ many thousands of pounds/ lots of stress and over a year later it all my issues were caused by one "smalll" and "insignificant" issue -(as per the first doc I saw).......................

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You are right in saying that anemia can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Anemia can cause a rapid heart beat which if your heart is beating fast, can cause you to feel anxious and precipitate panic attcaks.

Other possibilities for your anxiety can be hyperthyroidism,excess adrenal gland function and sleep deprivation or sleep apnea.

In my opinion,you should consult a hematologist and get your complete blood count,peripheral blood film,MCV,MCH and serum ferritin and vit B 12 levels assessed.This will help in differentiating the type of anemia you have and then specific treatment can be prescribed.Anemia which can be the root cause of anxiety and panic attacks in you case should be identified and then treated accordingly.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doing or  if you have any additional queries.