I sent a message to my endocrinologist this morning asking for something to help me with this extreme fatigue caused by my thyroid. She just responded and told me that it isn't my thyroid, but that the fatigue is caused by anemia! Because the local med center is closed now I will have to wait until Monday morning to get the blood test she has ordered to confirm that it is anemia.
I thought for sure it was the thyroid at fault, so I need to get used to the entire idea that I'm anemic. I try to eat a good diet including a lot of green leafy vegetables, and even though I don't really care for meat I force myself to eat a steak or a pork chop now and then. There is no way I am going to touch liver!
I guess I'm going to have to Google to see what iron rich foods I might need to add to my diet!
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My ex finally had to give in an start taking iron supplement tablets for her anemia. They were over the counter tablets and made a big difference for her. That was about 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI've taken them in the past but only for short periods of time. I've been taking an iron tab once a day for about the past 4 or 5 months but I guess I'll have to increase that. I just looked up foods high in iron and can see I'm not going to do it with diet - I cannot stand liver of any kind, and while I love seafood that doesn't include the clams, mussels, and that kind. Woe is me!
DeleteAnd you may want to research what to take with the iron to enhance the absorption of the iron. I think it is "C" but not sure.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right - I've had to take iron in the past and found I should also take Vit. C along with it. I have to look at my supplements, but I am pretty sure I am already taking C. I'll need to clarify the amount when I have the blood test on Monday and we confirm the anemia.
DeleteI was very tired a few months back, discovered I am anemic. But my anemia is the type is cause by not absorbing the iron from food. I have to take b-12 shots each week. They have made a big difference in my feelings
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! I totally forgot about the few people I've known who have to take shots for anemia. As much as I wouldn't want to be bothered with it, if it's necessary then I'm ready.
DeleteMy mother had pernicious anemia. The solution for her was B12 shots.
DeleteGuess your endocrinologist will let you know what you need to do. I agree with you on the liver. Yuck!
I am so anxious to get the blood tests and find out what I do about it. I'm so tired of feeling this way and I can see hope on the horizon, although I just hope it is only anemia.
DeleteI also have pernicious anemia and take B12 shots. My iron is fine thank goodness cause I hate taking iron pills.
DeleteI don't care much for the idea of either taking pills or getting shots, but I will find out the total picture next week and how they will be treating it. I wasn't ready for this, but I guess it is fixable and I'm happy to think I might get back to a little more normal life.
DeleteAfter almost 35 years of having monthly shots you get kind of used to them. However, I still hate having my blood taken
DeleteI think of it as a nuisance.
DeletePernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is a type of vitamin B12 anemia. It isn't just about your diet.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense because I'm always pretty careful about my diet, at least most of it. I'm anxious to get this whole thing diagnosed and start to take care of it.
DeleteThe Irish are predisposed to two conditions: too much iron and Vitamin B deficiency.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has too much iron in her blood (hemochromatosis). I think I'd almost rather have too little.
DeleteToo much iron is a bad thing. It seems many of these people have to constantly donate blood to keep it under control.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has to have blood taken once a month, although I don't know if they donate it.
DeleteWow lots of people weighing in on this with serious experience. Not sure why these medical things often happen on week-ends which just keeps us anxious to get on with it. Both of my broken ankles happened over HOLIDAY week-ends. Hope it's an easy situation to deal with. Once a month shots doesn't sound bad. I know David would love it if that's all he had to do. Chin up! Smile on!!
ReplyDeleteEverything happens to me after closing hours or on the weekends. I would never complain about having to get shots when there are so many folks who have to undergo them to stay alive. My daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes, had to inject several times a day. She now wears a monitor & pump which feeds the insulin when needed, but the port needs to be changed (injected) regularly. And then there is David and others like him who have to go through much more than I will probably ever have to. No, I would be afraid to complain (although I might not like it very much).
DeleteNow I really hear what you are saying about fatigue! Back in my youth (20's) I had ulcerative colitis. i was constantly fighting anemia because of blood loss. How I remember the tiredness associated with that. Could not walk 1/2 a block without taking a rest. One time, in order to be permitted to leave the hospital, I had to accept two huge iron shots. The nurse complained about having to give them. Both "cheeks" were black and blue for many months, but I got to go square dancing! Yes. For sure, being anemic would explain your problem. And I'll bet you will be feeling better fairly quickly.
ReplyDeleteI tried not to laugh thinking about the iron shots, but I may not be laughing for long! I actually feel much better, at least attitude-wise, just to find out that there might be some help out there. I sure have a positive attitude today, at least!
Delete"There is no way I am going to touch liver!"..........You put a smile on my face, I dislike liver myself.
ReplyDeleteA couple of months back when mother was diagnosed with anemia her doctor had her take her iron pill with orange juice to help absorb it better.