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My Hemoglobin Level Is 10.5 And Pretty Much Been In
Question: My hemoglobin level is 10.5 and pretty much been in the 10 to 11 range for a lot of years. I pretty much have always been anemic but doctors only prescribed iron pills that’s it. I had mold anemia since a child and I am 33 now. When I had my first child I had to get a blood transfusion. I only had one transfusion my whole life. For years I always suffered with headaches and at times the headaches would get so bad I would have to go to the emergency room. So, back in April I was having severe headaches and went the emergency room and was giving some medicine in my IV and I had a bad reaction to it. It cause me to feel very hyper and jumpy for the rest of that day. Two days later I started having panic attacks and that was happening for about a month. Then I start to notice every time I get up from resting my heart would start racing and I would get dizzy, short of breath, chest pains, and be very confused. So recently I was diagnosed with POTS Syndrome. Also after the doctor did a lot of blood work My hemoglobin level was still a little low at 10.5, my b12 was high, my hematocrit is always low, and the MHC., MCV is low to. So, I was referred to a hematologist for that. My appointment was last week with them and today I received a phone call from the nurse saying I need to come in for a iron infusion and that my hemoglobin is 10.5. Can you tell me why would I need an iron infusion since my hemoglobin is not severely low? The last time my doctor checked my iron level it was a 79. My folate level was 13.97. I also have Type 2 diabetes.
My hemoglobin level is 10.5 and pretty much been in the 10 to 11 range for a lot of years. I pretty much have always been anemic but doctors only prescribed iron pills that’s it. I had mold anemia since a child and I am 33 now. When I had my first child I had to get a blood transfusion. I only had one transfusion my whole life. For years I always suffered with headaches and at times the headaches would get so bad I would have to go to the emergency room. So, back in April I was having severe headaches and went the emergency room and was giving some medicine in my IV and I had a bad reaction to it. It cause me to feel very hyper and jumpy for the rest of that day. Two days later I started having panic attacks and that was happening for about a month. Then I start to notice every time I get up from resting my heart would start racing and I would get dizzy, short of breath, chest pains, and be very confused. So recently I was diagnosed with POTS Syndrome. Also after the doctor did a lot of blood work My hemoglobin level was still a little low at 10.5, my b12 was high, my hematocrit is always low, and the MHC., MCV is low to. So, I was referred to a hematologist for that. My appointment was last week with them and today I received a phone call from the nurse saying I need to come in for a iron infusion and that my hemoglobin is 10.5. Can you tell me why would I need an iron infusion since my hemoglobin is not severely low? The last time my doctor checked my iron level it was a 79. My folate level was 13.97. I also have Type 2 diabetes.
Brief Answer:
Unclear why you would need an iron transfusion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I also am unclear on what the reason is for the iron transfusion. It may be that this new hematologist wants to see if they can get the iron higher with a transfusion of iron, which might help determine if you have a problem with absorbing the iron pills. I'm assuming the iron level you mentioned is your serum iron.
Do you know what your ferritin level is? Have you been checked for any GI source of bleeding? Also, especially if you are Asian, have you been checked for thalassemia?
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Unclear why you would need an iron transfusion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I also am unclear on what the reason is for the iron transfusion. It may be that this new hematologist wants to see if they can get the iron higher with a transfusion of iron, which might help determine if you have a problem with absorbing the iron pills. I'm assuming the iron level you mentioned is your serum iron.
Do you know what your ferritin level is? Have you been checked for any GI source of bleeding? Also, especially if you are Asian, have you been checked for thalassemia?
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Unclear why you would need an iron transfusion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I also am unclear on what the reason is for the iron transfusion. It may be that this new hematologist wants to see if they can get the iron higher with a transfusion of iron, which might help determine if you have a problem with absorbing the iron pills. I'm assuming the iron level you mentioned is your serum iron.
Do you know what your ferritin level is? Have you been checked for any GI source of bleeding? Also, especially if you are Asian, have you been checked for thalassemia?
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Unclear why you would need an iron transfusion
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I also am unclear on what the reason is for the iron transfusion. It may be that this new hematologist wants to see if they can get the iron higher with a transfusion of iron, which might help determine if you have a problem with absorbing the iron pills. I'm assuming the iron level you mentioned is your serum iron.
Do you know what your ferritin level is? Have you been checked for any GI source of bleeding? Also, especially if you are Asian, have you been checked for thalassemia?
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I haven’t been checked for gi issues. My ferritin is 14. I haven’t taken iron pills since XXXXXXX because of the side effects. Can anemia cause the POTS Syndrome that I have?
I haven’t been checked for gi issues. My ferritin is 14. I haven’t taken iron pills since XXXXXXX because of the side effects. Can anemia cause the POTS Syndrome that I have?
Brief Answer:
Ferritin is low
Detailed Answer:
Your ferritin is very low, so this is likely the reason they want to do the iron transfusions, and it seems you cannot take the iron pills. Anemia is not known to be a major factor with POTS, but it might make it worse if you already have it. I would discuss with your doctor about checking for any GI bleeding, if they haven't already.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Ferritin is low
Detailed Answer:
Your ferritin is very low, so this is likely the reason they want to do the iron transfusions, and it seems you cannot take the iron pills. Anemia is not known to be a major factor with POTS, but it might make it worse if you already have it. I would discuss with your doctor about checking for any GI bleeding, if they haven't already.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Ferritin is low
Detailed Answer:
Your ferritin is very low, so this is likely the reason they want to do the iron transfusions, and it seems you cannot take the iron pills. Anemia is not known to be a major factor with POTS, but it might make it worse if you already have it. I would discuss with your doctor about checking for any GI bleeding, if they haven't already.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Ferritin is low
Detailed Answer:
Your ferritin is very low, so this is likely the reason they want to do the iron transfusions, and it seems you cannot take the iron pills. Anemia is not known to be a major factor with POTS, but it might make it worse if you already have it. I would discuss with your doctor about checking for any GI bleeding, if they haven't already.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
What is the normal range for the ferritin level? What symptoms do low ferritin cause? Can it be the reason I am having a lot brain fog, a hard time focusing and concentrating?
What is the normal range for the ferritin level? What symptoms do low ferritin cause? Can it be the reason I am having a lot brain fog, a hard time focusing and concentrating?
Brief Answer:
Anemia might cause difficulty focusing
Detailed Answer:
The normal range for ferritin is sometimes 20-150 ng/mL, but it depends on the laboratory and sometimes can be lower than this. But I would definitely say that your ferritin level is at the low end.
Iron-deficiency anemia, which is what you have, can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, headaches, irritability, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and the desire to eat ice and other unusual things. I believe it could also cause difficulty focusing on what you describe.
Regards
Anemia might cause difficulty focusing
Detailed Answer:
The normal range for ferritin is sometimes 20-150 ng/mL, but it depends on the laboratory and sometimes can be lower than this. But I would definitely say that your ferritin level is at the low end.
Iron-deficiency anemia, which is what you have, can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, headaches, irritability, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and the desire to eat ice and other unusual things. I believe it could also cause difficulty focusing on what you describe.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
Anemia might cause difficulty focusing
Detailed Answer:
The normal range for ferritin is sometimes 20-150 ng/mL, but it depends on the laboratory and sometimes can be lower than this. But I would definitely say that your ferritin level is at the low end.
Iron-deficiency anemia, which is what you have, can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, headaches, irritability, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and the desire to eat ice and other unusual things. I believe it could also cause difficulty focusing on what you describe.
Regards
Anemia might cause difficulty focusing
Detailed Answer:
The normal range for ferritin is sometimes 20-150 ng/mL, but it depends on the laboratory and sometimes can be lower than this. But I would definitely say that your ferritin level is at the low end.
Iron-deficiency anemia, which is what you have, can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, headaches, irritability, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and the desire to eat ice and other unusual things. I believe it could also cause difficulty focusing on what you describe.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
The doctor just prescribed ferrous sulfate 325mg (5GR) twice daily. Can you tell me will these help with my my low hemoglobin and low ferritin level? How long before I start to feel better? I feel like crap every day. I have severe brain fog. I have headaches every day, high heart rate when standing and moving around, shortness of breath, very fatigue, and a feeling like my body in overdrive.
The doctor just prescribed ferrous sulfate 325mg (5GR) twice daily. Can you tell me will these help with my my low hemoglobin and low ferritin level? How long before I start to feel better? I feel like crap every day. I have severe brain fog. I have headaches every day, high heart rate when standing and moving around, shortness of breath, very fatigue, and a feeling like my body in overdrive.
Brief Answer:
Within a month
Detailed Answer:
If the iron is effective in replenishing your iron stores in your body, and these symptoms are due to the iron deficiency, then you should see some improvement within a few weeks to a month.
What happened with the iron transfusions?
Within a month
Detailed Answer:
If the iron is effective in replenishing your iron stores in your body, and these symptoms are due to the iron deficiency, then you should see some improvement within a few weeks to a month.
What happened with the iron transfusions?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Within a month
Detailed Answer:
If the iron is effective in replenishing your iron stores in your body, and these symptoms are due to the iron deficiency, then you should see some improvement within a few weeks to a month.
What happened with the iron transfusions?
Within a month
Detailed Answer:
If the iron is effective in replenishing your iron stores in your body, and these symptoms are due to the iron deficiency, then you should see some improvement within a few weeks to a month.
What happened with the iron transfusions?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
I am very scared to get an iron infusion. So I told the doctor that and he said I can try the iron pills and then if the pills don’t work I need to get an infusion. Also, he want to get an okay from the cardiology doctor that it is safe for me. Since my heart rate is always elevated due to POTS.
I am very scared to get an iron infusion. So I told the doctor that and he said I can try the iron pills and then if the pills don’t work I need to get an infusion. Also, he want to get an okay from the cardiology doctor that it is safe for me. Since my heart rate is always elevated due to POTS.
Brief Answer:
It should be fine
Detailed Answer:
I'm sure it will be fine to take iron with the POTS. Hopefully you see some improvement in the next few weeks.
Have your doctors talked to you about what might be causing your iron levels to be low?
It should be fine
Detailed Answer:
I'm sure it will be fine to take iron with the POTS. Hopefully you see some improvement in the next few weeks.
Have your doctors talked to you about what might be causing your iron levels to be low?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
It should be fine
Detailed Answer:
I'm sure it will be fine to take iron with the POTS. Hopefully you see some improvement in the next few weeks.
Have your doctors talked to you about what might be causing your iron levels to be low?
It should be fine
Detailed Answer:
I'm sure it will be fine to take iron with the POTS. Hopefully you see some improvement in the next few weeks.
Have your doctors talked to you about what might be causing your iron levels to be low?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Yes, he thinks it’s because of my diet. My diet is very poor. I don’t eat foods that have a lot of iron in them.
Yes, he thinks it’s because of my diet. My diet is very poor. I don’t eat foods that have a lot of iron in them.
Brief Answer:
Iron supplements should help then
Detailed Answer:
The iron pills should help then. If not, then I would consider a possible problem with absorption, or with a slow GI bleed that may not be obvious.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Iron supplements should help then
Detailed Answer:
The iron pills should help then. If not, then I would consider a possible problem with absorption, or with a slow GI bleed that may not be obvious.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Iron supplements should help then
Detailed Answer:
The iron pills should help then. If not, then I would consider a possible problem with absorption, or with a slow GI bleed that may not be obvious.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Iron supplements should help then
Detailed Answer:
The iron pills should help then. If not, then I would consider a possible problem with absorption, or with a slow GI bleed that may not be obvious.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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