got my blood test back

[aimee_4]

and my hemoglobin is low its only 11 something. My hematocrit is also low its like 10 or so lower then the normal range and hey my glucose test was normal! yay!! So I got a letter from my dr saying "will be discussed at your appointment" which is monday. My mom and his mom both say im anemic. yay just what I needed huh. So that explains why im soooooo tired and I get so dizzy. great i better not get put on bedrest. grrrr.

what a day
Aimee

[myboysmom]

My hemoglobin was a little low at my last appt, too, but the doc didn't seem too worried. I'm 36 weeks today, and I've been trying to eat more red meat! Good luck to you, I hope you don't get bedrest either.

[alwaysAJ]

I am always anemic during pregnancy, although it is somewhat manageable with iron supplements in addition to my prenatal vitamins. Are you on any added supplements? Do you take them within an hour or so of drinking and/or eating anything dairy? Do you also take a folic acid supplement? Try taking your prenatal vitamin with a glass of OJ to aid in iron absorption (and avoid milk for an hour before or after).
I do all this, and I am at 11 right now. If I don't follow directions, I drop down to 7 (which I was at when pregnant with my second child). I was around 9 when I was pregnant with my first. So 11 is not extremely low, but it is a bit lower than most doctors like to see (12 to 14 puts a smile on their face). They will most likely push supplements (just the straight ferrous sulfate, 375 mg--or something like that. Don't buy "slow iron FE" or anything like that, they're a waste of time and money and won't help you enough because there isn't enough iron in them).
So yes, you are slightly anemic. Just be sure to follow your doctor's advice on the matter . Most people bounce back pretty well (I'm a redhead, and am just prone to anemia during pregnancy and "that time of the month.").
Plus, being anemic (even slightly) puts you at higher risks for health matters during delivery, and after; and for your unborn child. Did you know that mothers who suffer from anemia can even have trouble bonding with their newborns? Bizarre, isn't it???? I just heard that recently. Not to freak you out, sorry! Have you noticed any wierd cravings recently? Say, ice chips or peppermint? (those both happen to be my crutch right now). I feel sorry for people stuck around me in a movie theater!

I hope you are feeling better soon, and are able to get this all taken care . Not to worry, though. 11 is pretty easy to bring back up to a 12 with good diet/supplements.
And great to hear about the glucose!!!!!

[aimee_4]

okay so ive decided my dr is a moron or isnt paying attention to me in general. Those blood test results i got were different from what he said at my appointment. And when i told him the results he mailed me he looked so confused and said oh well im sure everythings fine just eat more iron rich food. and blew me off. everything i ask him is oh well thats a normal pregnancy thing just deal with it. or take a bath and relax. So this monday I see a nurse practitioner cuz he's on vacation (yay!) and im bringing my result sheet with me and asking her everything i want to know cuz im guessing she would understand better. is anyone elses dr a moron?

[MommaC]

Ask to re-do the test. If they refuse, ask if it could be in any way harmful to take iron supplements if you happen to NOT be anemic (you could also double-check with a pharmacist). I was anemic during my pregnancy. I hadn't even noticed the symptoms so much, but the test said I was a little low. My doctor put me on Ferresequel (sp?), and I was fine. It's over-the-counter, so I'm sure you could find it at any drugstore. Good luck with the moronic doctor!