I'm anemic, what should I do?!
Question: I've had anemia before, and I nearly had to go have a blood fusion because of how bad my iron levels were. It's not that bad yet, luckily.
My mom would like to have one of those birth control shots done to me, but she says that I have to wait until my period stops before I can get one.
Meanwhile, I'm tired all the time, and my ice-eating habits are NOT good for my teeth. But, if I take iron pills to get my iron levels back up, my period will keep going. I can't exactly delay my studying because of my tiredness, nor continue to treat my teeth this way..
Should I take the iron pills, or just wait until my period finally gives up, so I can get my shot THEN start taking iron pills?
Answers: I've had anemia before, and I nearly had to go have a blood fusion because of how bad my iron levels were. It's not that bad yet, luckily.
My mom would like to have one of those birth control shots done to me, but she says that I have to wait until my period stops before I can get one.
Meanwhile, I'm tired all the time, and my ice-eating habits are NOT good for my teeth. But, if I take iron pills to get my iron levels back up, my period will keep going. I can't exactly delay my studying because of my tiredness, nor continue to treat my teeth this way..
Should I take the iron pills, or just wait until my period finally gives up, so I can get my shot THEN start taking iron pills?
You can get the shot before your period lets up, but the shot doesn't always stop your period. You should really get on a continuous pill that skips your period because that will eliminate that source of the anemia entirely. Also, I have really heavy periods and am always weighing the taking iron versus making my period longer. The iron always wins because I get tired of being tired and dizzy. I would probably take it. Ask your doctor, they will tell you that you can get the shot or start on the pill any day.
Try to eat foods high in iron like spinach and liver.
I am pretty sure that it wont do any good to just start the iron pills without the shot b/c the shot is what is going to minimize the amt of blood lost during your period. I would say you just have to eat an iron rich diet in the meantime ....
I've been anemic before, and I started taking an iron supplement. That's about the best thing I can recommend. I take those chewable children's vitamins because I hate swallowing pills. Make sure the box says "With Iron"! Also, check the %Daily Value chart on the back to see how much iron is contained in one dosage. The chart is split in half for children under 12 and adults and children 12 and up. Get the vitamin with the maximum iron in it. However, do not take more than the daily dosage. Getting more than 100% of your daily iron isn't going to help--it can actually be detrimental if you accumulate too much iron. Mostly, though, it will just be going to waste.
Your period will keep going??? Your period will only last as long as it takes to shed the lining of your uterus.
If you are iron deficient, then you really should be taking the prescribed supplement.
You need to be sure to keep up your iron level. I don't want to scare you but anemia is pretty serious. It could result from blood loss. Are you sure that you are not bleeding internally, like from an ulcer. Check you stools for either red blood or black coffee like grains. Anemia can be the result of a serious diseases too. Consult with your doctor and follow his instructions to the tee. Good health to you!
1. Taking iron pills will not make your period last longer. I don't know how you got that idea.
2. Blood infusions are not a big deal at all. You go to the outpatient center of a hospital and lie there watching TV with an IV in for 2 hours and then you go home.
3. Iron pills will be fine for you. (Iron can make you constipated, so watch out for that.) Note that drinking caffeine from coffee and soda inhibits the absorption of iron into your body while Vitamin C makes the iron easier to absorb. Because of this, it's good to get an iron pill that comes with Vitamic C, like Hemax.
Take the iron pills -- it'll help you to feel better... and if you're a particularly heavy bleeder, or this is an issue you experience frequently, you may want to talk to your doctor about it.
Have Iron riched foods
the birth control shot won't stop your period. you would need to try taking a continuous birth control pill, or one like seasonal (only 4 periods a year).
since it is likely your diet, and not your periods, that is causing your anemia, you should talk to a dietitian and find out how you can include iron rich foods in your diet. using iron pills can help you get a little more iron in your diet. it will take a few months to bring up the iron in your blood