“But didn’t you notice how tired you were all the time?”
This was the silly question my doctor asked me, when I was diagnosed with low iron levels – anaemia – several years ago.
At the time, I had a two small children; of course I was tired! But I just thought it went with the territory.
I’d always had heavy and painful periods – something that all the women in my family seem to suffer from – so didn’t realise that this wasn’t “normal”.
I’m not a medical professional, so I can only share my personal experience of what it feels like to be living with low iron levels.
When I was initially diagnosed, I had such low iron levels that there was some talk of blood transfusions. Instead I was given needles in my butt; it’s such a long time ago I can’t remember if they were injections of iron or Vitamin B12. However I *do* remember the doctor warning me that it would leave a stain on my skin, which could take a long time to disappear.
She wasn’t kidding! Only a few months ago, I went for a massage and my therapist was alarmed by the bruising on one of my cheeks (the other has disappeared) – and believe me it’s faded a LOT over the years. The hubster used to joke that I had two black eyes on my rear 😉 .
I also took iron supplements, although from what I’ve read, the jury seems to be out on whether they are actually effective or not.
Years later, at another doctor, I mentioned my concerns about my low iron levels and the injections I’d had in the past. The doctor checked inside my lower eyelids, and proclaimed I was “fine” as they weren’t pale – a verdict I naively accepted, when I *should* have insisted on blood tests.
Signs I was Living with Low Iron Levels
So I continued to live my life in a state of perpetual exhaustion. In fact, in the album I was given for my 40th birthday, one of my best friends wrote about my “endearing habit of falling asleep anywhere, anytime”.
There were other signs – I sometimes felt dizzy and found it hard to concentrate. Then there was the fact that I really felt the cold, particularly in my hands and feet, and came down with whatever bug was going around. I experienced a form of pica, where I had strange urges to chew on gravel (not that I ever did!); and suffered from restless legs at night. But all of this just seemed “normal” to me.
The turning point was when I visited a cardiologist in 2011. With a family history of heart disease, and a grandmother who died at 45, I wanted to be checked out thoroughly before I reached that age myself! My cardiologist picked up on my anaemia from the CT coronary angiogram and ultrasound I had done – the wear and tear on my heart indicated that I had been anaemic for a long time. Upon learning of my heavy periods, he recommended I see a gynaecologist, and within months I’d had a hysterectomy.
No More Anaemia for Me!
Has having a hysterectomy solved my problems with anaemia?
To be honest, I haven’t had a blood test to check my iron levels so I can’t say for sure. I still like a nanna nap on the weekend; and need much more sleep than the hubster. But I *do* feel I have more energy and seem to get sick a lot less (which is just as well, now I run my own business!). I also don’t feel the cold anymore, or crave gravel (!), so I suspect I’m no longer anaemic.
If you suspect you might be living with low iron levels, please consult your medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT; and with thanks to The Fifo Wife, and Peachy Keen Mumma for inspiring me to share my experiences.