1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders
Mentor

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

howlor5 | @howlor5 | Apr 5, 2023

Oh man, I’m
Feeling your pain! A few months ago I was so down I lay in bed selecting songs for my funeral…… it is a fight. My prayers and faith have brought me through that valley. I am better, though not healed yet. They are looking into my heart for issues…. I believe I’m having “oxygen delivery” issues.
Keep the faith and know you’re not alone….. stay strong for your family……. You will be in my prayers!!👍👍👍

REPLY
Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Apr 6, 2023
In reply to @robertadooley "I am having an issue with my iron. The red cell is almost normal but my..." + (show)
@robertadooley

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.

Jump to this post

Roberta, I'm so sorry to hear your having such difficulties. I might also suggest seeking Iron rich foods. I'm one who loves my salads, so I've become a huge fan of baby spinach. But there are other foods Like Lentils which includes most beans. I'm a big fan of a bean soup made with navy beans are my favorite. But there is actually one that's a treat most people don't realize Dark Chocolate, I like mine to be about 90 %. Shellfish is another, also one you might enjoy is Hummus, I like it on sliced apples. So maybe that may help and I'm one that tries to get most of the vitamins I need thru foods. Mainly since I love to eat. Just google Iron rich foods and you can see the complete list. I hope that may help.
One other thing that used to help me also and I'm not sure what I had was restless leg. But I would get these pains in my calf muscles mostly when in Bed. So I would get up and put weight on the leg and it would go away. now I haven't been diagnosed with Restless Leg so I'm not sure it would help but wanted to think of anything that may help. Let us know if anything you find out helps.
Sending a Blessing your way

REPLY
michey | @michey | Apr 6, 2023
In reply to @robertadooley "I am having an issue with my iron. The red cell is almost normal but my..." + (show)
@robertadooley

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.

Jump to this post

Roberta, I am so sorry to hear that you have to spend most days in bed!
When you feel up to it, can you please provide more information addressing the following:
1. What does TLD stand for?
2. What type of doctor is making you wait 3 months with such a low ferritin level? When is your next appointment?
3. What tests has this same doctor taken so far to assess your "iron issue"? How did your doctor define "iron issue"?
3. What supplements is your doctor having you take?
4. Are you taking iron? What type? How much? How are you tolerating them? Do you have to take them on an empty stomach to help absorb them?
You may want to read my two earlier posts:
(1) my 3/30/23 post above and
(2) my post about having iron deficiency anemia and feeling like you did which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-anemia-what-to-expect/?pg=1#comment-826977
I hope you will experience better days soon.

REPLY
1 reply
robertadooley | @robertadooley | Apr 7, 2023
In reply to @michey "Roberta, I am so sorry to hear that you have to spend most days in bed!..." + (show)
@michey

Roberta, I am so sorry to hear that you have to spend most days in bed!
When you feel up to it, can you please provide more information addressing the following:
1. What does TLD stand for?
2. What type of doctor is making you wait 3 months with such a low ferritin level? When is your next appointment?
3. What tests has this same doctor taken so far to assess your "iron issue"? How did your doctor define "iron issue"?
3. What supplements is your doctor having you take?
4. Are you taking iron? What type? How much? How are you tolerating them? Do you have to take them on an empty stomach to help absorb them?
You may want to read my two earlier posts:
(1) my 3/30/23 post above and
(2) my post about having iron deficiency anemia and feeling like you did which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-anemia-what-to-expect/?pg=1#comment-826977
I hope you will experience better days soon.

Jump to this post

Sorry, I didn't realize that I'd not spelled it right
It was supposed to read RLS.
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
I have since my last post requested a referral to an
Oncologist/ Hematologist.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.