Blood results

I've been on iron tablets for 4 weeks and my levels have dropped even lower. They've swapped the supplements and are now discussing whether or not I need an iron infusion x

Sorry this isn’t helpful but what are your signs of low iron? Tiredness is just pregnancy lol but I’m contemplating asking for an additional blood test….

I was on iron for 6 weeks and had multiple blood tests in that time, my haemoglobin wouldn’t go up at all but it was only borderline. They then tested my ferritin levels as that’s what can affect how well iron is absorbed and mine was lower than it needed to be. Had my iron infusion on Monday, feel a bit tired still but it can take a week or two to feel the benefits. Hope you feel better soon.

I didn’t even know I had low iron until I had my bloods taken for my glucose test at 28 weeks when I had consultant the next day he told me I had low iron and had to have tablets so I’m at a loss lol but to then wait now a week to spk to gp is silly

@Jess I’m sure it could be different for others and annoyingly the symptoms are similar to that of day to day pregnancy but for me personally I was very faint, dizzy, short of breath and lacking any energy. I flagged it at 14 weeks and was told that’s normal for that stage of pregnancy, but as it persisted they investigated and discovered I was borderline anaemic but with low ferritin so I wasn’t able to replenish my iron stocks. Hopefully I’ll be sprinting into action any day now after my infusion 😂😂

@Jess for me , fatigue dizziness, breathlessness, feeling faint, racing heart rate, " heavy" limbs and head. I was barely able to function , still really struggling most days

@Rachel same. I mentioned it to everyone from about 13 / 14 weeks and was told it's just pregnancy . Blood tests at 28 weeks showed low iron and low ferritin 🙄

@Alana it’s so frustrating isn’t it! Can’t help but think how much better we’d feel if it hadve been dealt with back then 🙈

@Jess I was just extremely tired, it's my second pregnancy and I just knew I felt alot more tired this time (although I did wonder if the toddler had something to do with it) but I told the GP at 22 weeks, was there for something else and they suggested it, came back low!

@Lorraine can you not just up your dose? I'm currently on 1 tablet every other day so if it still comes back low I will take 1 a day

I had this, I had two lots of blood test. Second lot came back lower than the first even after taking spatone and my consultant prescribed me iron tablets. Started them Monday, 1 tablet a day then retest in 3/4 weeks. If nothing has changed I’ll be having an injection

@Hannah I'm on 1 tablet a day have been for almost 5 weeks now there's no higher dosage 🤗 Lorraine may be the same?

@Hannah im on 1 a day already though before taking bloods midwife said maybe do 1 every other but think will just stick to 1 and wait the week to speak to gp and see what they say xx

Mine were the exact same . First ones at 12 weeks were 25 and then I had them done at 28 weeks and it dropped to 20 😂 no idea why or how .

You should take iron for at least 4 weeks before rechecking your bloods. Did they do your iron stores too?

@lorraine are you getting enough vitamin C? That impacts the uptake of iron, also there are some foods and drinks that inhibit the absorbtion of iron like tea and coffee! X

I’m taking vitamin c, barely drink hot drinks as I suffer sickness and acid still too 🤦‍♀️

Finally heard from gp after midwife text to inform me of results my iron levels are now down to 96

@Lorraine im sorry they took this long! I hope you get sorted x

@Lorraine this was mine they were 102 been on daily iron then after 4 weeks they were 96. They worry more about your iron stores, so see if they can check your ferritin x

Thankyou xx