Real People Stories – Anna

I am 27y/o, F. I have had anaemia since my teens, and it was always difficult as I also had multiple conditions. Recently, I was diagnosed with a CBC-like heart condition that does not pose to be life-threatening. However, it can cause some discomfort. Well, I was told that some Anaemia chest pains I felt could be because of my anaemia, so I went to see a test specialist.

I wanted to post this because my results have never been this consistent. And I’m curious about what changed and if anyone has had this experience. I used only to have low Hemoglobin. I admit, I only started to take iron supplements in my adult life as I found my ferritin levels to be on the low part of normal (e.g Normal: 1-10, mine is 3). Although not consistently, I do take them occasionally, along with BComplex. Anyway, my lab results have recently stayed the same and on the negative side. Haemoglobin is still lower than normal, red cell indices are all abnormal, and my eosinophils are always high. I have yet to get my ferritin checked, but I’m curious as I have never had these results, even when I never took my supplements.

Also, I noticed recent developments where I easily bruise. I have rashes on my legs, and I get constant headaches. I have had anaemia for more than half of my age, so I never really worry about it, although others do. It’s like the norm for me. 

Alice

CBC Test came out fine, so why do I feel like this?

(22F) I got my period May 29th. On the third day, from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, I had a very strong headache. On the fourth day, I felt extremely tired, lightheaded and dizzy. I assumed it was because of losing blood from my period. And my iron was low. I had no idea it could be an anaemia symptom; I just thought it was a coincidence). My mom found iron pills to give me, and I took one with an orange and still felt some Anaemia symptoms afterwards but could get up. I went to sleep earlier cause I was too tired and wanted all the weirdness to disappear. The next days, I had different symptoms like tiredness, lightheaded, dehydration, metallic taste in mouth, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and one or two moments of chest pain.

Urgent Care Visit

When I felt that I could only breathe 30% (like the air that I was taking felt like I was taking in 30% instead of my usual) and I had extreme dehydration where I drank water every second of the day cause it felt like I would die if I didn’t. When I didn’t, I would get a disgusting metallic taste in my mouth. I booked a CBC Doctor’s Appt, but it was too far down the line, so my mom took me to an urgent test for full cell count care on June 8th.

The doctor did an Anaemia test and a lung X-ray. Everything came out fine. I’m really confused because when I Google my symptoms, the only results I get are about anaemia, so I don’t know what is wrong. The CBC doctor even said that when I explained to her what I was feeling, nothing hurt my feelings because why would I come to the hospital?

The only other full test for Anaemia that I took was in 2021 (but that was for another reason: I fainted the first day of my period after I took a shower, probably out of dehydration, and got a scar on my face). I have no idea how any of this works, so after that, I assumed that since my recent one has results that are a bit lower than the older one, it still might be related to iron.

Improvement and Recurrence of Symptoms

So I took an iron pill every day, and after like 5 days, everything felt relatively fine. Then, 2 days ago, when I was going to take my iron pill, I decided I wouldn’t since everything is fine now. And it would be dangerous to take something that I don’t need. After a couple of hrs, all the Complete symptoms came back: I felt extremely tired and lightheaded, could hardly move, and felt like when I moved, it was like I was moving a heavy weight. Fast heartbeat, couldn’t breathe well again, everything.

So, I’m just extremely confused. Are there any other Full blood count tests that I could take? Why is it that when I don’t take an iron pill, I get all these symptoms, but my CBC Blood test came out fine?

By the way, I take the iron pill, ‘ Active Iron High Potency, ‘ which is 25 mg (139% of the daily value). Around the same time, I started taking a Tropical Oasis multivitamin liquid with 6mg (33% of the daily value).

Tatiana

Extremely low iron; normal CBC?

Hi there, everyone! I’m hoping someone with similar experiences could give me insight into this problem!

I have suuuuuper low iron levels in every area and have for many years. My CBC doctor is shocked by how low the full count normal test level is. My mom also has the same. The symptoms have been plaguing me severely for years, and I have beyond no energy. Everyone close to me is concerned about my low energy levels. I used to attribute it to my depression. But after getting on meds that should have fixed it, nothing changed at all.

My full work, haemoglobin, and red and white complete blood cells are normal, so I’m technically not anaemic. But I have all the symptoms—and severely, too! Taking oral iron supplements does not fix anything, and I get severe constipation. I’ve also increased the amount of iron in my diet (cereal with 100% daily value, greens, meat, etc.). But this still does nothing.

I’m only starting to get Anameia medical help. My mom was extremely neglectful on the CBC medical front (she thinks doctors are evil. Basically, and only wanted to use natural/homoeopathic methods that also did nothing). I haven’t received much complete medical test help or had many Anameia Count doctors look into it, but it has been there for years.

I also have CBC-related gastric problems (belching, diarrhoea/constipation, nausea, etc.) But I tested negative for Celiac’s.

Has anyone had such difficulty working with anaemia? What worked for you guys?

I appreciate any help you can give me.