Low Iron Levels and Weakness

Posted by Dana, Volunteer Mentor @danab, Jun 24, 2021

Hi, I am a caregiver to my wife who has just found out She has severe Low Iron Levels. She initially is getting 2 treatments of IV Iron infusion and im Praying she gets her energy back as she went from walking about 4 miles a day to almost not able to get around the house without feeling very weak. Looking for others who may have gone thru similar situation. No other issues except for the low Iron we're noticed on any Labs and a similar situation happen in March where she was hospitalized and ran every test known and could not find a cause. They at that point did not test Iron that I know of.
Thanks

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@howlor5

Interesting.....my condition exactly! Im pushing for Hemo. work-up with possible Iron Infusion. Did your DR's. do a Hemo. work-uo prior to Iron treatments?

Thank you for your post!!!

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Well basically blood work and an exam while we talked about symptoms. Not sure your thoughts as to what a Hemo workup is. All i remember is standard blood work to include Iron. Also I'm not sure I mentioned, I am back on Iron pills from my last visit But my Iron level wasn't that low. But my saturation was on the low side at 17 % so now that I'm thinking back maybe its more of a saturation problem than low Iron. Something else to maybe discuss with the Hematologist, Yes please let me know what you find out

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I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few months ago. I received 2 rounds of iron infusions 3 months ago and iron levels are dropping. I used to work in my garden and flowers for several hours a day but now am challenged to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. I used to walk 2-4 miles a day, now am sometimes exhausted yeast walking to the bathroom. Very frustrating.

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@jebbss8

I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few months ago. I received 2 rounds of iron infusions 3 months ago and iron levels are dropping. I used to work in my garden and flowers for several hours a day but now am challenged to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. I used to walk 2-4 miles a day, now am sometimes exhausted yeast walking to the bathroom. Very frustrating.

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I hope you are regularly consulting with your hematologist/oncologist. Perhaps you will need to get another infusion?
When I started to experience the weakness you describe, I saw my hematologist/oncologist at least every 2-3 weeks and at each visit, blood tests were taken for CBC, ferritin and "iron study values and after a short wait, my doctor immediately got the results to discuss with me in the same visit.
I found it helpful to keep copies of the results from blood tests but it took me a while to understand each test that was symptomatic of my not being able to store iron. I learned about the importance of ferritin and its interrelationship with iron.
Maybe, my past post here will be helpful to you: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-anemia-what-to-expect/?pg=1#comment-826977 I have loads of energy now but I do remember when I felt like you do. Wishing you better days!

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@jebbss8

I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few months ago. I received 2 rounds of iron infusions 3 months ago and iron levels are dropping. I used to work in my garden and flowers for several hours a day but now am challenged to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. I used to walk 2-4 miles a day, now am sometimes exhausted yeast walking to the bathroom. Very frustrating.

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Hi Jebbss8, Yes it can be frustrating and Like the others, my wife and @michey at first finding a plan that works my take a bit of Time. I too initially was weaker than I liked, but try and look forward to when your Doctor gets a good plan that works for you. Do you have an appointment set-up? Before you know it that walking will be back and this period will be a memory.

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@jebbss8

I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few months ago. I received 2 rounds of iron infusions 3 months ago and iron levels are dropping. I used to work in my garden and flowers for several hours a day but now am challenged to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. I used to walk 2-4 miles a day, now am sometimes exhausted yeast walking to the bathroom. Very frustrating.

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I understand what you going through.I to have no iron and can only do small jobs around the house.I am not allowed any iron due to my pv.But we will keep looking forward.Enjoy what we can do.Take Care

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No recent Iron blood test but looking a potential heart issues. I’m beginning to think
It’s a delivery problem. Oxygenated blood not getting through my body. Awaiting test results . Im sorry for you…. It’s a crappy way to have to live. Not only that but lack of ability to exercise is not good either, when I pray for me I will be praying for you as well…. Im very great full for all that I am allowed to have….Blessed!!

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@jebbss8

I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few months ago. I received 2 rounds of iron infusions 3 months ago and iron levels are dropping. I used to work in my garden and flowers for several hours a day but now am challenged to do it more than 20 minutes at a time. I used to walk 2-4 miles a day, now am sometimes exhausted yeast walking to the bathroom. Very frustrating.

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MY heart goes out to you.
I am a breast cancer survivor and what you posted hit home.
I remember being that weak, my strength to overcome (1995) came from my faith in God and wanting to finish raising my 15 year old Son.
don't give up.

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Uh, thank you for your encouragement…. I am a follower in the truest sense of the word ….. I have not had “smooth sailing” but am extremely blessed…. My acceptance of Jesus’s Promises keeps me going… I’m good in that department…. But thanks again. God bless, take care!!

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@danab

Well basically blood work and an exam while we talked about symptoms. Not sure your thoughts as to what a Hemo workup is. All i remember is standard blood work to include Iron. Also I'm not sure I mentioned, I am back on Iron pills from my last visit But my Iron level wasn't that low. But my saturation was on the low side at 17 % so now that I'm thinking back maybe its more of a saturation problem than low Iron. Something else to maybe discuss with the Hematologist, Yes please let me know what you find out

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My sat level of iron goes up and down. When it was first discovered as low (7%), I was put on ferrous sulfate? 325 mgs twice a day. After 6 months of that, I was told to go down to one a day. I had severe restless legs for 30 years. After starting 325 mgs of the iron 2x/day, after one week my restless legs were GONE. After 4 months of just one iron tablet, my restless legs started again. An Iron saturation test showed I was low on iron sat., so I started 2 tablets a day again. For me restless leg activity is how I know my iron saturation is low or normal. during all of this, all other blood parameters RBC, Hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferratin, etc were always normal.

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I am having an issue with my iron. The red cell is almost normal but my ferritin is at 4
. I have Severe Restless legs almost all the time. I recently learned that the low blood stores make it worse.
I am taking many supplements but my Dr won't think about an infusion until I r taken them 3 months with no improvement.
I'm so weak and tortured with TLD I spend most days in bed. I need help.

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