Aa
anemic
I have recently been told i am anemic. I am a 17 year old girl and been told all i am able to do is eat 2 servings of red meat a day and take an iron pill to cure it. I have been doing this for about one month. I am getting sick of the taste of red meat. I am not seeing any results, my doctor said it would take at least 6 months for any results. I am used to be a very active person now all i want to do is sleep. Is there a faster, more effective way to treat anemia?
Hi Ash,
Anemia can be due to different causes. In a 17yr old female, iron deficiency is the most common cause, mainly because of constant loss during periods. I assume that your doctor ordered blood tests before starting treatment. As has been stated above by Selma, and as advised by your doctor, red meats are a very good source of easily absorbable iron. Other good sources of iron have also been stated above. You have stated that you are also taking iron capsules.
The aim of treatment in iron deficiency anemia is to increase hemoglobin levels and to replenish the stores of iron in the body, which will take at least 6 months. During this period consumption of red meat is also good. However, it is not essential thta you take it everyday. You may replace it with other good sources of iron, so that you do not get disinterested. Addition of citrus fruits is also a good idea, because vitamin C helps in better absorption of iron. Addition of foods rich in Vit B12 and folic acid is also helpful.
When the iron deficiency is severe, injections of iron and sometimes, blood transfusion is indicated, but even then, at least 6 months of oral iron is prescribed. There is no easy way to treat anemia. Instead, once this course is complete, you may take care not to get anemic again, so that you don't have to go through this again.
Please get back if you have other queries.
Regards
Anemia can be due to different causes. In a 17yr old female, iron deficiency is the most common cause, mainly because of constant loss during periods. I assume that your doctor ordered blood tests before starting treatment. As has been stated above by Selma, and as advised by your doctor, red meats are a very good source of easily absorbable iron. Other good sources of iron have also been stated above. You have stated that you are also taking iron capsules.
The aim of treatment in iron deficiency anemia is to increase hemoglobin levels and to replenish the stores of iron in the body, which will take at least 6 months. During this period consumption of red meat is also good. However, it is not essential thta you take it everyday. You may replace it with other good sources of iron, so that you do not get disinterested. Addition of citrus fruits is also a good idea, because vitamin C helps in better absorption of iron. Addition of foods rich in Vit B12 and folic acid is also helpful.
When the iron deficiency is severe, injections of iron and sometimes, blood transfusion is indicated, but even then, at least 6 months of oral iron is prescribed. There is no easy way to treat anemia. Instead, once this course is complete, you may take care not to get anemic again, so that you don't have to go through this again.
Please get back if you have other queries.
Regards
Hi, it is not all that unusuall to find a teenaged girl with anemia...ur monthly can play a part as well as diet......below is a link with more info then what I did copy and paste...I hope it is helpful to u.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_treatments.html
How Is Anemia Treated?
Treatment for anemia depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes or supplements, medicines, or procedures.
Goals of Treatment
The goal of treatment is to increase the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. This is done by raising the red blood cell count and/or hemoglobin level. Another goal is to treat the underlying condition or cause of the anemia.
Dietary Changes and Supplements
Low levels of vitamins or iron in the body can cause some types of anemia. These low levels may be due to poor diet or certain diseases or conditions.
To raise your vitamin or iron levels, your doctor may ask you to change your diet or take vitamin or iron supplements. Common vitamin supplements are vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate). Vitamin C is sometimes given to help the body absorb iron.
Iron
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Your body can more easily absorb iron from meats than from vegetables or other foods. To treat your anemia, your doctor may suggest eating more meat—especially red meat, such as beef or liver—as well as chicken, turkey, pork, fish, and shellfish.
Nonmeat foods that are good sources of iron include:
Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
Peanuts, peanut butter, and almonds
Eggs
Peas; lentils; and white, red, and baked beans
Dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, and peaches
Prune juice
Iron is added to some foods, such as cereal, bread, and pasta. You can look at the Nutrition Facts label on a food to find out how much iron it contains. The amount is given as a percentage of the total amount of iron you need every day.
Iron can be given as a mineral supplement. It’s usually combined with multivitamins and other minerals that help your body absorb iron.
Vitamin B12
Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia. This type of anemia is often treated with vitamin B12 supplements.
Good food sources of vitamin B12 include:
Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12
Meats such as beef, liver, poultry, fish, and shellfish
Egg and dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese)
Folic Acid
Folic acid (folate) is a form of vitamin B that’s found in foods. Your body needs folic acid to make and maintain new cells. Folic acid also is very important for pregnant women. It helps them avoid anemia and promotes healthy growth of the fetus.
Good sources of folic acid include:
Bread, pasta, and rice with added folic acid
Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
Black-eyed peas and dried beans
Beef liver
Eggs
Bananas, oranges, orange juice, and some other fruits and juices
"selma"
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/anemia/anemia_treatments.html
How Is Anemia Treated?
Treatment for anemia depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes or supplements, medicines, or procedures.
Goals of Treatment
The goal of treatment is to increase the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. This is done by raising the red blood cell count and/or hemoglobin level. Another goal is to treat the underlying condition or cause of the anemia.
Dietary Changes and Supplements
Low levels of vitamins or iron in the body can cause some types of anemia. These low levels may be due to poor diet or certain diseases or conditions.
To raise your vitamin or iron levels, your doctor may ask you to change your diet or take vitamin or iron supplements. Common vitamin supplements are vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate). Vitamin C is sometimes given to help the body absorb iron.
Iron
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Your body can more easily absorb iron from meats than from vegetables or other foods. To treat your anemia, your doctor may suggest eating more meat—especially red meat, such as beef or liver—as well as chicken, turkey, pork, fish, and shellfish.
Nonmeat foods that are good sources of iron include:
Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
Peanuts, peanut butter, and almonds
Eggs
Peas; lentils; and white, red, and baked beans
Dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, and peaches
Prune juice
Iron is added to some foods, such as cereal, bread, and pasta. You can look at the Nutrition Facts label on a food to find out how much iron it contains. The amount is given as a percentage of the total amount of iron you need every day.
Iron can be given as a mineral supplement. It’s usually combined with multivitamins and other minerals that help your body absorb iron.
Vitamin B12
Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia. This type of anemia is often treated with vitamin B12 supplements.
Good food sources of vitamin B12 include:
Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12
Meats such as beef, liver, poultry, fish, and shellfish
Egg and dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese)
Folic Acid
Folic acid (folate) is a form of vitamin B that’s found in foods. Your body needs folic acid to make and maintain new cells. Folic acid also is very important for pregnant women. It helps them avoid anemia and promotes healthy growth of the fetus.
Good sources of folic acid include:
Bread, pasta, and rice with added folic acid
Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
Black-eyed peas and dried beans
Beef liver
Eggs
Bananas, oranges, orange juice, and some other fruits and juices
"selma"
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Rare Diseases Community
New study links cell phones to slightly increased cancer risk. Should you be concerned?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
