Abdominal Distention/ Anemia... What could this mean?

[NoName1989]

Hi,
I've had abdominal distention in the lower abdominal area for well over a year however I have noticed it has got worse lately. It is really uncomfortable to lay on my stomach and when i lay on my back my lower abdomen sticks out heaps. I'm 20 yrs old, fit and healthy. I weigh approx 50 kgs which is just over a hundred pounds i think and i'm 5'2''. I've been this weight for as long as i remember. It doesn't matter how healthy i eat or how unhealthy i eat. I even started working out heaps and eating healthy for a while and my weight and body shape did not change one bit. A few months back I took my heamoglobin levels at uni and it was 8.9 when it should be between 12 and 14 meaning that I'm quite anemic. I have no other health issues. My heart rate also as soon as i get up shoots up to over 100 B/M and the tiniest bit of exercise sends it skyrocketing but it also drops back down within a minute. (I'm doing sport and exercise science at university which is why i know all this!) I rarely even get a cold, never get the flu or anything else. I'm slightly worried that it might be celiacs (i've looked it up and i have other symptoms like fatigue and tooth enamal problems for a long time) or a food allergy but I'm really picky with foods. Anyhow if anyone has some suggestions that would be great... I'm going to book an appointment at the doctors as soon as i can but i'm impatient and want answers now!!!
Thanks!

[LivingInHope]

Hemoglobin that low should have prompted your physician to recommend treatment and also to investigate the cause.  If they did not, they are negligent and I'd look for a better doctor.  You might have to learn how to swallow those little iron tablets & take with at least 250 mg of vitamin C for best absorption, because iron shots aren't so nice either.

[NoName1989]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to book a doctors appointment next week. It's closed at the moment for new years. For some reason I never thought it was an issue until the other day... Anyhow, I am definitely going to the doctor asap.

Is heamoglobin levels that low dangerous? I'm not currently taking anything... I can't swallow tablets cause I've never had to (don't ever even take panadol) and last time i tryed to take liquid iron i was extremely close to throwing it back up... Not the nicest feeling...
Thanks once again.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Abdominal distension with anemia could be due to inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease (gluten intolerance), lactose intolerance or IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. Severe acidity with gastric reflux can also be a cause and so also worms in stool. Hiatal hernia is another possibility. Liver and gall bladder issues too should be looked at by a liver function test and ultrasounds. Endoscopy, colonoscopy, gluten sensitivity test, etc may also be required.
The other possibility is chronic bladder infection cauing retrograde kidney infection and anemia.
Since a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given on net please discuss these possibilities with your doctor once. It would be a good idea to consult a gastroenterologist and an urologist. Hope this helps. Take care!

[LivingInHope]

I hope you are taking iron for your anemia!  Anemia can cause tachycardia or rapid heartbeat and it can cause fatigue as well.  They should check your kidney function, as a person can get anemic from failing kidneys.  People with failing kidneys also tend to have a lot of teeth problems.  They should do occult blood stool testing to see if you are losing any blood there.  They should do a complete GI work up and check make sure you don't have ascites in your abdomen (too much fluid building up in the peritoneal cavity).