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I just read the other thread on anemia and did not want to hijack that thread but my Dr. told me yesterday I am borderline anemic and that it's a good thing I am having a colonoscopy done next week. Now he's got me all worried that I must have some internal bleeding as I haven't had a period in a very long time. Given the fact I am borderline (as in just lower than the cutoff for normal), do you think it's possible that it's just because I don't eat red meat? I do eat eggs often but none of the other foods mentioned in that thread (like liver, etc).
Anyway, went to the store this a.m. to look for an iron supplement but the pills were too big for me to take so I'll have to go to the health food store for some liquid iron. Still, I am concerned. Should I be? Am I over reacting? I don't know much about anemia although years ago my blood cells were out of whack and I took some vitamin supplements (think it was B12) and that seemed to fix the problem.
Yes you're overreacting. Lots of people are borderline anemic. Most of those borderline anemic people are -not- bleeding internally. Most of them just don't get enough iron in their diets.
Add a teaspoon of peanutbutter every day and that's probably enough to kick it over the edge so it's not on the border anymore. Whenever you eat salad, replace half the lettuce with spinach and that'll help keep it inside that border.
If you're borderline anemic, you do -not- need a supplement. You just need to eat foods with more iron in it than you are currently.
Yes, you are over-reacting. I've been anemic off and on for years. It's common for menstruating women, especially if they don't eat red meat. Even if you're menopausal, if you don't eat many sources of iron it's not unusual to be anemic. Once you have the all-clear on your colonoscopy, ask your doc for a presecription for an iron supplement. You can buy them OTC, but there are some prescription ones that are more easily absorbed by your body.
AnonChicks right!...do you like liver and onions?...lots of iron there.
Can't rep you again yet, but thanks. I like onions, but not liver. I guess I'll just google on iron rich food and go from there. Also, I have some B12 supplements. Could be that.
purehuman asked if you like liver and onions, because it's a common way to serve liver. The point was that liver is loaded with iron. The onions won't raise your iron count; it'll just give a good flavor to the liver. Personally I like chopped liver on rye bread. But that's just how I roll.
Thanks all. The only thing I like on the list is eggs. I can eat plenty of eggs. Costco (here) now sells them a really nifty way. Two dozen hard boiled and peeled eggs for $4. Don't ask me how they do it, but they do. It's just great as it's easy to screw up hard boiled eggs. So I'll just eat more of those. Plus, I have sublingual B12 pills and am going to buy the iron supplement. I just hope there is nothing wrong going on. Thanks for the reassurances.
When's the last time you had it checked? You might have been borderline anemic before you had your last period or it could be that you don't eat red meat and don't get it from other sources.
And Whatsthenews, I hate to sound like a know it all, but tofu is a terrible source of iron--it has plenty but the phytates in unfermented soy won't let you absorb it. I'd try tempeh or miso instead.
I just read the other thread on anemia and did not want to hijack that thread but my Dr. told me yesterday I am borderline anemic and that it's a good thing I am having a colonoscopy done next week. Now he's got me all worried that I must have some internal bleeding as I haven't had a period in a very long time. Given the fact I am borderline (as in just lower than the cutoff for normal), do you think it's possible that it's just because I don't eat red meat? I do eat eggs often but none of the other foods mentioned in that thread (like liver, etc).
Anyway, went to the store this a.m. to look for an iron supplement but the pills were too big for me to take so I'll have to go to the health food store for some liquid iron. Still, I am concerned. Should I be? Am I over reacting? I don't know much about anemia although years ago my blood cells were out of whack and I took some vitamin supplements (think it was B12) and that seemed to fix the problem.
I am sure your doctor asked you if you were having any symptoms such as chills, weakness, exercise intolerance, dizziness, excessive irritability??????
I have been anemic for a long time and had a colonoscopy, it was normal. I think that it is pretty easy to become anemic if you are not eating animal foods that are high in iron on a regular basis.
Iron deficient anemia is common, people do not like eating the bleechy bits of animals.....the best source of iron.
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