Medical Miracle

[tripperfunster]

Okay, not exactly a miracle, but good news!

The bad news first: A few months ago I was rejected from giving blood because my iron was too low. It wasn't CRAZY low, but low enough to not let me donate. No biggie. I've given blood dozens of times and never had a problem. I was sent away with the advice to eat more spinach and red meat and to try again in a few months.

Two months later I was at the doctor for a different ongoing but not important issue (thyroid) and she ordered blood tests to see how my thyroid numbers were. I asked her to check my iron, since I"d had that problem, so she did.

NOT GOOD. I forget the exact numbers, but it was basically, a regular hemoglobin number is 15 to 17 and you are a 7. yikes! She prescribed iron pills 3x per day plus the usual red meat and stuff.

Unfortunately, the iron pills made me super sick in a 'I might as well be taking exlax 3x per day' way. yuck! So I stopped taking them and ended up being sent to a specialist.

Of course, it takes a few months to get an appointment, so cue yesterday when I met the specialist. AND MY IRON IS JUST FINE NOW! Yay red meat! And my trusty cast-iron frying pan! I might need to check my cholesterol now instead! ;)

I told her that I was a bit disappointed, because I had hoped she might prescribe some sort of birth control that would stop my period. :D She sighed and said "OMG, no kidding! There should just be a switch you can turn on and off!" So she made an appointment for me with an OBGYN to see about getting something to lessen my periods, which would help with the iron. YAY!

Now excuse me, I have to go eat more red meat. :D

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I was on the 3 monthly contraceptive injections for years and they were totally awesome. Stopped my periods immediately (that isn't guaranteed but does happen to most women I think) and evened out everything marvellously. A plus I hadn't really thought of too - saved a bunch of money on not having to buy sanitary products!

So anyway, good to hear your iron rebalanced itself! Spinach isn't that great for iron btw, because though it has lots of iron in it, it is apparently not great at allowing said iron to be broken down by your body. Other dark leafy veg are better.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I *think* I might be too old for those shots? They are pretty much like the pill, and I don't think it's recommended after 40? I don't know. I will talk to the OB about it.

The blood doc said something about some sort of 'ring' (IUD) (she said the brand, but I don't remember) It doesn't stop your periods, but it makes them way lighter.

I dunno, I'll see what she says.

And yes to the spinach. It seems that animal or heme iron is best absorbed by the body.

[luvscharlie.livejournal.com]

Three of us in my immediate family have to take iron pills-- two of us are gastric bypass so it's an absorption problem for us.

I belch the hell out of those things as soon as I take them. Gross. So gross.

I'm glad your levels are back to normal and they don't have to do anything else.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I was told it depends how long you've been on which kinds of contraception - I was certainly still having the jabs after 40. But yep, the doc will obviously know best!

[lilyeyes.livejournal.com]

I can't take iron either, at all! When mine gets low, I get weekly iron shots - also not fun.

Glad all is well now!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thanks, me too. I meant to ask her about future blood donations but forgot.

BTW I just started watching The Making of a Murderer thanks in part to your post!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Weekly? huh. She was going to give me a shot (in the butt) if my levels were low, but I thankfully didn't need it.

I will take those shots over the pills any day!

[facecat.livejournal.com]

If you're done having kids consider an ablation.

[sra-danvers.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're fine now! And congratulations for giving blood!!

[synn.livejournal.com]

hurray for your iron being back up!
Iron pills are the worst. *gags a little just remembering them*

Oh, how I wish there were an on-off switch for periods!

[tinkcph.livejournal.com]

I had the IUD and it totally stopped my periods. I was tampon-free all through my 20's and it was glorious. :)

My daily dose of mackerel keeps my iron at a very healthy level. Don't know how you feel about fish, but if you crave a little variety, fatty fish is a good alternative.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Not a big fan of 'fishy' fish, like salmon and tuna. I'm not sure if I've ever had Mackerel. Generally, the only kind of fish I like is breaded or battered.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I dunno. Sounds painful. But yes, I am SO done having kids!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Over my life time it's been 24 times! I'm O neg, so it's in high demand.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Yup. Hopefully the obgyn will find me a nice off switch. :D