Low iron?

Question

I went in for my glucose test 28 weeks. I passed my test but she said I had alittle low level of iron. I was at like a 11.3. Is this bad? I’m starting supplements now but I’m just curious how bad it is to have low levels and be pregnant? I’m a worry wart so just need some opinions from people that have had low iron or anemic ?

Answer

Iron helps bring oxygen into the blood so having low iron can make you feel weak and tired.
11 isn’t too bad and if they just put you on a supplement then it’s just giving you a little boost. 
The lowest I ever had (I’ve been anemic my entire life) was at 6 and I could barely walk around for more than 10 mins and was grayish in color. It was horrible. 
You are going to be okay. If it was a big concern they would have done more.

Answer

Following because mine said the same thing and I’m now taking iron vitamins every other day.

Answer

Anemia during pregnancy is extremely common it can effect everything down to the way you’re allowed to deliver baby. Anemia is low iron levels so it can cause hemorrhaging with a csection or vaginal delivery. Usually an OB will put you on an over the counter supplement and then recheck you in the middle of your third trimester possibly earlier to make sure the levels are where they need to be. If they aren’t you could need an iron transfusion. The supplement should do it though. They will also check your iron levels before delivery among other things to make sure they are ready for anything that could happen.

Answer

I've suffered from anemia off and on my whole life, which I think is due to heavy periods. Can't donate blood because I'm always denied for low iron, which bums me out. Anemia during pregnancy is a serious thing but also very common. It can lead to hemorrhaging after you give birth so it's a good thing you're taking supplements now. It's good that you're nervous so you'll take the treatment seriously but it's nothing to keep you awake at night worrying about it - okay? Chin up. I'm a 9.2 right now myself and on 650mg iron/day. The side effects are unpleasant but that's just what it has to be. I haven't been able to manage my anemia with my diet even tho I eat spinach and other iron-rich foods like crazy, cook with cast iron, etc. - but some people can and it wouldn't hurt you to try adding a few of these foods along with your supplement. Baby is just leaching all the iron in my system. I think at a 7 you'd need injections or transfusions. Normal range is a 12-15. You're just below that and it sounds like your doctor is on top of it. Keep taking your supplements and following doctor's orders. I take mine with orange juice because the vitamin C is supposed to help. Things like caffeine and calcium hinder iron absorption though so do your research and up your chances of being in normal range by delivery. Read up on symptoms so you know what to look out for and ask your doctor about if you start feeling crummy. For me, I get really exhausted for no reason and my inner eye and fingernails turn white. In fact I was telling my husband I thought I was anemic the week before my OB appointment, I asked about it and she ordered the test and sure enough that's what it was. Anyway, it's good they caught this now and that's why they do a blood draw and glucose at this point in pregnancy to catch and hopefully correct these things.

Low iron?

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