Those of you who read my blog with any regularity know that I've been complaining about lack of motivation and energy for some time - probably up to the last year when all my dental issues started. I got my blood test results back that show such a degree of anemia that it's a wonder I can still stand up. And I can see how I was hurting myself trying to walk 2+ miles a day at a fairly fast clip, at least for someone my age.
I must have sensed something is wrong because as you know I was considering just going to a lab and having the testing done, and paying for it on my own. I'm so glad I found the doctor I did and can now maybe work out a plan for me to improve without taking iron or something that leaves as many problems as it solves, and requires more pills to overcome the side effects. I've been down that road before and I'm not going there again.
So I feel like a new person with hope that I can get back to some semblance of my normal self. It's almost hard to realize what that self was like, but I'm sure I'll find the "old gypsy" somewhere in there.
There were a couple of other outliers in the test results, but nothing that looks too bad to me, and certainly nothing that will require more than a slight change in diet to fix. The high protein count, for example, is probably related to drinking protein shakes after exercising, but I can't imagine it being harmful.
It rained throughout the night but today has been cloudy with no rain. I think maybe we will have some fairly decent days ahead, with temps in the lower to mid 60's. What a difference just 5 degrees makes. I'd be happy with 65 or 70 year around.
I've amused myself for a while today checking on National Forest campgrounds, especially those in southern Oregon. It will take some improvement for me to be able to even consider camping alone, setting up the big tent, cooking outdoors (definitely not the same as indoors with a regular stove, fridge, and running water). It's too far away just yet for me to do more than read and think about it. I hope we don't have another heavy fire season this year because that ruins even the idea of camping. Too soon to tell.
Have a great weekend, and I'd love to be enjoying the snow in the northeast right now. I really miss a real winter!
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Maybe anemia is caused by going to city gyms to walk instead of going out into the forest to walk?
ReplyDeleteYes, but it's been raining and cold since November. Plus, there are no forests nearby - just mainly city sidewalks. When the weather improves I've promised myself to get outdoors more.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see what your doctor has to say about how to get you our of anemia. From your complaints, I'm not surprised to find that. It's amazing what they can find out with blood tests. David has them done constantly. High protein is probably not related to your protein shakes. Will be very interested in what she says about that too. When do you hear from her about these results? I always said when I lived in Virginia that if it was going to be so darn cold I just wish it would snow. Cold without snow is punishment in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree with you 100% about the snow. I also agree I can't diagnose the test results, but my comments were the first thing that came to mind. I should be hearing from the Dr. soon. Right now I am more concerned about being able to eat right.
DeleteMy anemia is getting worse. Test showed it is twice as bad this year as last. I guess my leukemia is ramping up.
ReplyDeleteDoes the doctor give you anything for the anemia, or just recommend dietary changes? Good luck, we're all getting near the age where we're bound to have something wrong with us.
DeleteI trust the Doc will find a way to improve your numbers:) YOu can have my share of the snow!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind some of the snow, but a little goes a long way!
DeleteGood thing you had the work up done. I bet a change in diet will help.
ReplyDeleteI took another step to my hopeful camping summer and had the truck worked on today. Still need to find someone to build the bed.
My relatives in NJ aren't to happy about the snow.
My d-i-l in NY isn't happy about it either. She's home from work due to an operation on her eyes and both boys are home from school. Of course, my son is off traveling somewhere with his work and doesn't have to listen to kids bicker and fight!
DeleteI would like to know what your doctor recommends for the anemia. When I was expecting my first baby my doctor ask me if I ever ate meat because I was so anemic. It was summer and I was eating a lot of watermelon but I don't think that was the problem. I had never been tested before and turned out that I have had a life long problem. Several times when I gave blood they had something to say and the last time I gave they took me off their list of people to call. I started taking prenatal vitamins since I thought they would have more of what I need and I read somewhere that they are good for your hair. I had my blood tested when I went to the doctor last year and the results they gave me was that I was within normal range. I would rather have some kind of numbers so I could compare it to future tests. I think I need to find another doctor.
ReplyDeleteI will post what my doctor has to say about it, if anything. She is in the Univ. of Ca-Davis Medical System, which has a feature called "My Chart". When I has tests taken they post the results almost as soon as they have been given to the doctor, and I've printed out all the pages so I can take a closure look. I also have the records from every blood test (as well as other tests) taken in that system in the past. I definitely think all doctors should make the results known to you and if they don't, I agree it's time to find another doctor, but be sure to ask upfront if they will share any test results with you - the entire thing, not just their assessment.
DeleteI have looked again at my results and now that I see it they aren't too bad - quite a few of the items are lower than the normal range, such as red blood count, hemaglobin, etc., but not by a huge amount, and high in platelet count. The dr. wrote a note that my "lab results show signs of anemia-continue with present management-follow up as scheduled." Whatever that means, it must not be as bad as I thought although knowing how I've been feeling I'm sure it's part of the cause. I don't know what to tell you, except find a doctor who will share info with you instead of doling it out. Ask a lot of questions, and write them down beforehand so you don't forget. Look up good sources of iron in foods - I know they are in green leafy vegetables, many kinds of nuts (particularly walnuts), and red meat. I don't eat much red meat (except for my s-i-l's hamburgers) because most of it gives me indigestion. But I can tell when I'm not eating enough meat, or at least a substitute high in iron.
Good luck to you, and please try to find a different doctor. Maybe a female doctor as they seem to treat us more like equals and don't mind sharing information. Not saying many male doctors do not, but I've had better luck with female MD's.
My mother was hospitalized a few years ago. It took the doctors quite a while to discover the problem but it turned out to be pernicious anemia. She apparently had a lack of IF (intrinsic factor) which helps the body to absorb Vitamin B. They recommended Vitamin B shots in her case. Also, those of Irish descent are often checked for hemochromatosis which is excess iron in the blood. It will be interesting to see what your doctor discovers and recommends.
ReplyDeleteI know your dental problems have changed your usual diet.
Interestingly, my sister has recently been diagnosed with hemochromatosis, and I know it is hereditary but didn't realize the connection to Irish descent. I have never had a problem with too much iron and I don't have any of the other symptoms that my sister has.
DeleteIn looking over my test results and comparing them with those from 2 yrs ago, I really don't think the blood counts are that much off from normal. What I am worrying about is the drop in all my cholesterol readings, and it is a significant drop. Most doctors don't acknowledge it, but cholesterol can go too low and cause just as many problems as when it is exceedingly high, including anemia. I knew that cholesterol is essential for building and repairing cell wall as well as many other functions. One of my levels which is very low has to do with excessive weight loss, which I've experienced in the past year or two. I don't understand it, and it has nothing to do with what we often consider avoiding as high fatty substances. I put lots of cheddar on vegetables including mashed potatos, and I add sour cream to a lot of them. I use whole milk, 1/2 & 1/2 for my coffee, and have never even considered a low fat diet. So high cholesterol is not necessarily caused by fats. I will see my doctor for a follow up in 1 month, and I see my chiropractor on Monday; I have lots of questions for both. In the meantime, I'm making sure to include lots of fats in my diet!
Have you been tested for the hemochromatosis? I remember when I was a small kid my younger brother was diagnosed with too much iron. No one had a clue about that back then, and I can't really remember what they did about it - he probably still has it but he's still going at 3 yrs younger than me. I have never liked thinking or worrying about my health and this is already starting to bug me. I just want to get back to my life and eat!
I agree with you completely about the benefits of cholesterol and find it puzzling yours has dropped. It would be good to find out why . . .
ReplyDeleteHere is an article about hemochromatosis among the Celtic, Welsh and British. The problem with absorbing Vitamin B apparently is a problem among the Celtic people as well. I don't have a problem with iron, but keep track of my Vitamin B because of my mother's situation. It seems that donating blood regularly is the only thing many doctors recommend for hemochromatosis. Interesting both your brother and sister have the condition.
http://www.americanhs.org/celtic.htm
Low cholesterol can benefit from fats as you mentioned.
Foods that have healthy sources of fat, such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, etc.) as well as avocado, nuts, and olives/olive oil, are good choices. I am wondering if coconut oil supplementation would be helpful. I also like organic Ghee from grass fed/pastured cows. I prefer it to the butter sold in the market place. I eat plenty of things with fats (good for the brain too) and I am a normal weight.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to just eat and feel good like we used to?!!!
I am the oldest of 8, so it's quite likely there is another brother in there with hemochromatosis as well. Thanks for the link, I will read it and pass it on to my sister.
DeleteI eat fish and chicken, not every day though, and rarely eat beef. I would take most supplementations, but I consider coconut to be one of the two most vile tastes on the planet (the other is yogurt), so I would never go that far. But I really do try to eat healthy, organic, good mix of fats, vegetables, etc., and low grains. My good diet has gone south though, with the dental problems, so I'm hoping that will be over with as soon as I can get the lower dentures and get used to them. It's only been in the last 15 years that I have trouble holding on to my weight, and I lose it very quickly. It's a curse, no matter what anyone thinks, just as gaining weight at the drop of a hat can be for many folks.