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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suffer From Bloating And Constipation. EBV In The Test Reports. Have Low Iron. Could This Be Due To IBS?

Hi, today I spoke to my doctor about some test results I had for my thyroid. My TSH level was 8.3 and I have all the symptoms for underactive thyroid. I also have bad digestion - bloating and constipation - and I was also tested for EBV virus as along with feeling tired and lacking in energy, my glands have been up. I've never had glandular fever before but the test result said I have EBV in my system and possibly have had it recently. I also had low iron.

My doctor prescribed me a low dose of thyroxine and some iron tablets. I'm just wondering whether the IBS and EBV are also connected to my thyroid and also how the iron deficiency fits in, although I am mainly a vegetarian so that could be it

Many thanks!!
Mon, 24 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
hello,
Iron-deficiency anemia (insufficient iron) is more common in people with hypothyroidism. In addition to your doctor's recommendations regarding treatment for anemia and any suggested iron supplementation, you can also consider the following recommendations
-Eat more foods that are good sources of iron.
-Help your body absorb iron better by eating foods high in vitamin C.
-Limit your use of tea, except herbal teas.
-Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.
Some might expect that since the vegan diet contains a form of iron that is not that well absorbed, vegans might be prone to developing iron deficiency anemia. However, surveys of vegans have found that iron deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than among the general population although vegans tend to have lower iron stores.The reason for the satisfactory iron status of many vegans may be that commonly eaten foods are high in iron. In fact, if the amount of iron in these foods is expressed as milligrams of iron per 100 calories, many foods eaten by vegans are superior to animal-derived foods.For example, you would have to eat more than 1700 calories of sirloin steak to get the same amount of iron as found in 100 calories of spinach.
thank you.
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Suffer From Bloating And Constipation. EBV In The Test Reports. Have Low Iron. Could This Be Due To IBS?

hello, Iron-deficiency anemia (insufficient iron) is more common in people with hypothyroidism. In addition to your doctor s recommendations regarding treatment for anemia and any suggested iron supplementation, you can also consider the following recommendations -Eat more foods that are good sources of iron. -Help your body absorb iron better by eating foods high in vitamin C. -Limit your use of tea, except herbal teas. -Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation. Some might expect that since the vegan diet contains a form of iron that is not that well absorbed, vegans might be prone to developing iron deficiency anemia. However, surveys of vegans have found that iron deficiency anemia is no more common among vegetarians than among the general population although vegans tend to have lower iron stores.The reason for the satisfactory iron status of many vegans may be that commonly eaten foods are high in iron. In fact, if the amount of iron in these foods is expressed as milligrams of iron per 100 calories, many foods eaten by vegans are superior to animal-derived foods.For example, you would have to eat more than 1700 calories of sirloin steak to get the same amount of iron as found in 100 calories of spinach. thank you.