STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

RyanJ · Coach

Is anyone anemic?

crystal · Kate Spade

i was borderline anemic in high school & my doc back then put me on iron pills. after a while i stopped taking them & never saw that doc again so not sure what happened, but i know i get turned down to donate blood about every other time i go cuz of low iron. lately i've been eating really healthy & taking a multi-vitamin. i never at any point experienced the symptoms u describe so i don't think i was that bad, but i know that being cold all the time is one symptom u can look for. if i were u i would just go to the doc tho. try taking a multi & eating lots of leafy greens & see if ur symptoms improve, but ur case sounds like u may need a doc. good luck!

halleybird · Hermes

I think I am at least mildly anemic OR hypoglycemic but I have never had a test come back positive, either. You may want to just have a complete physical w/bloodwork done.

I was having really bad fatigue problems earlier this year, and my bloodwork came back negative. My doc talked me into eating red meat again () and more vegetables () but it has gotten a little better since then.

RyanJ · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: halleybird
"I think I am at least mildly anemic OR hypoglycemic but I have never had a test come back positive, either. You may want to just have a complete physical w/bloodwork done.
I was having really bad fatigue problems earlier this year, and my bloodwork came back negative. My doc talked me into eating red meat again () and more vegetables () but it has gotten a little better since then."

I don't eat meat either and that was one of the things that my mom said may have to changed. I just figured if I avoid the doctor then I won't kow I have a probelm- what a mature why to look at it.

shopgirl · Kenneth Cole

I've been anemic for about 15 or so years. I used to take iron pills but stopped because i didn't like taking the horse pills. I really should be taking them, especially since I don't eat meat.

I eat lots of vegetables and have a salad at least three times a week. I eat lots of tofu and seitan and occasionaly fish.

Certain times of the month I am really tired and lethargic and can't even work out, that's when I know I should take the pills. Instead, I try to bulk up on the protein.

deborah

p.s. i haven't donated blood in years because the last time i tried i was sent home and the time before that i almost passed out when i was finished.

erin · Chanel

i am anemic due to a blood disorder i have, and its not recommended i take iron pills. ive been living with anemia so long now that im used to being tired.

cat · Marc Jacobs

I was anemic for awhile, and here it was caused by several bleeding ulcers I did not know I had. You shold go see your doctor ,because if you are anemic there could be many different causes for it. Some other signs that you are anemic are: dizziness, being cold all the time, and your toung, complextion and the skin under your nails are very pale shade of pink or are kinda white.

-- Edited by cat at 10:25, 2005-03-25

katya · BCBG

I have been told over the years that I may be slightly anemic or just low on iron (are they the same thing?). I was a vegetarian for years, and didn't take any supplements other than flax seeds (I know, that's bad), but I ate VERY healthy (lot's of leafy greens & tofu, etc). I have recently begun to eat seafood (for the good fats, proteins, iron). I am always cold & tired, I bruise way too easily (and they look nasty & last forever) and my legs, feet & hands fall asleep all the time. BUT I've been this way since BEFORE I stopped eating meat (in fact, since before I can remember), so I don't know if it's related to my diet. I've always thought that I just had poor circulation. Sorry I'm not any help, but I'm curious about it myself.

Alikat · Kate Spade

I am anemic due to a blood disorder, thalessemia which is similar to sickle cell anemia. I get super tired and cranky sometimes, but generally feel better if I eat a diet rich in iron. It really affects my moods sometimes, I used to take iron pills... I probably should start taking them again.

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

I am severely anemic and have been for years. I used to take iron pills, but they're just so harsh on my stomach, so I stopped. I felt the effects of taking them were worse than being tired all the time. I guess I've just adjusted to it, but I really should try to do something about it.

I would definitely have bloodwork done to find out for sure. It's really simple and won't take very long.

halleybird · Hermes

has anyone ever done that test where you take a coin (I think it was a nickel or a dime?) and swipe it on your cheek to see if you have enough iron? Supposedly it reacts with your blood or something. That's all I remember from like 8th grade. Anyone remember this?

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

ryanj -- you should try seeing a naturopath or some type of holistic doctor. IMO, they tend to have you whole health in mind when they see you, unlike some traditional western doctors who will treat your symptoms but not go deep enough to figure out what is causing the problem. (hopefully your MD mom will be okay with this)

there are so many things out there that western medicine ignores -- herbs, supplements, etc. -- you might find an answer beside "eat a steak"

RyanJ · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: e_doli
"ryanj -- you should try seeing a naturopath or some type of holistic doctor. IMO, they tend to have you whole health in mind when they see you, unlike some traditional western doctors who will treat your symptoms but not go deep enough to figure out what is causing the problem. (hopefully your MD mom will be okay with this)
there are so many things out there that western medicine ignores -- herbs, supplements, etc. -- you might find an answer beside "eat a steak""

She is all about the crazy herb holistic medcines. She is not against using western meds, but she definaltey uses the holistic too.

When we start getting colds we have to eat/drink garlic soup, take Echineacia and all kinds of things like that. I will have to have her look into some holistic remdies.