Iron levels

Does anyone know anything about iron? I had a miscarriage recently and suspect I am very early pregnant again, so I went to the doctor to check on my iron levels. I have been taking elevit (one in the morning) and fefol (one in the evening) to help replace the blood loss. I have also been eating meat every day (usually eat meat 2 times per week). I have been tested and have my result - 14. Which doc says is normal. What I want to know is -
What is the range that I should fall in?
Am I at the lower end of the range?
Should I keep trying to stock up?
Would the range that I need to be in change if I was confirmed pregnant?
Should I stop taking the fefol at night now and only have the elevit in the morning?

p.s. Just in case you all have different brands to me -
Fefol - Iron Folate supplement
Elevit - Pregnancy multivitamin (also contains iron and folate)
Folate - Folic acid

[alaysha]

I've never heard of iron being something that could cause a miscarriage... I know that during my pregnancy I became anemic due to not enough iron in my system. I know that prenatals give you a lot of iron and that unless recommended by a doctor your aren't supposed to take iron suppliment since too much iron can cause problems.

[Atlantisea]

Sorry, I think I must not have been very clear..
I don't think that my iron levels caused my last miscarriage.
When I was released from hospital after the d&c, I was told to wait one month before trying to conceive again to give my body some time to re-stock on iron and so that my pregnancy could be dated. I went to my doctor and asked the same question-
Is there any reason why I shouldn't try to conceive again straight away?
Doc said the same thing - You need to re-stock your iron levels after blood loss, and we need to be able to date the pregnancy.
Now, I now when I ovulate. Which leaves only one thing - are my iron levels ok?
Now, the result came back as '14' which I was told was 'Normal' but I know that with iron there are healthy ranges... Which bring me back to my origional questions:

What is the range that I should fall in?
Am I at the lower end of the range?
Should I keep trying to stock up?
Would the range that I need to be in change if I was confirmed pregnant?
Should I stop taking the fefol at night now and only have the elevit in the morning?

[Gina209]

I think I know too much about Iron! I've been anemic most my life...very anemic these last couple years. Being anemic shouldn't cause you to M/C but it can affect how quicky you conceive. When you are Pregnant, do you need double the amount of Iron you would normally need to support fetal growth and maternal health. Pregnant women need more iron also because of the increased blood volume during Pregnancy, increased needs of the fetus and blood loss during delivery and so forth. However you can OD on Iron so please consult your doctor before taking any Iron Supplements.

When I got Pregnant last year I was taking a Prenatal Vitamin and I was told by my Doctor not to take an extra Supplement because the Prenatals have plenty of iron in them..as well as all the irony filled foods I was eating. I recently had my Iron tested and I was no longer anemic. I was shocked and surprised since most of my life I've been very anemic. I believe any number under 12 means you are anemic...but 14 is still pushing it. Over 25 is considered good and healthy. So yes you are at the lower end, but you're taking Prenatals and eating foods with Iron...so I would stop taking the Supplement until you talk to your Doctor. You don't want to OD on Iron.

Just because you end up Pregnant does not mean your Iron number will change. You will need more Iron..but thats why woman are told to take Prenatals.
Hope this helped a bit!! Definitely consult your doctor before you take anything, especially during Pregnancy.

Good Luck!

[alaysha]

Hmmm... I've never heard of iron helping with dating pregnancy. Most doctors date pregnancy by going by your LMP. However, if you get pregnant before you ever have a period then they go by early ultrasound. All babies until week 13 grow at the same rate and first trimester ultrasounds can only be off by a week. I'm just confused as to why they would say for dating the pregnancy. Did they tell you why that is because I am really curious.

[Gina209]

No I think she meant her doctor wanted her to wait a month to build up her iron AND so it would be easier to date her Pregnancy.

[Atlantisea]

Yep, what Gina said.

[alaysha]

Oh I get it! Sorry my brain is slow... I swear breastfeeding is stealing all my brain cells! :)