anemia or not ?

[anxious09]

hello. maybe someone can say for sure .

i did my annual blood work. results were : wbc 5.63, hgb 10.8. hct 36.4.

one doctor said i should take ferro folic (iron with folic acid)
one said i don't have to.

so what do i do ? do i have anemia or not ?

[anxious09]

hello. tks for your note. as i was taking iron during my pregnancies my endo said that i should take my thyroxine 5 hrs prior to iron so i didnt have any problems.

do y think that was a satisfactory period ?

[thyroida]

Note that iron supplements can inerfere with Thyroxine absorption if you are taking Thyroid medication.  

[anxious09]

hi, thnks for posting. my computer was down.

my ferritin is low too. i do have symptoms of hair loss my hair is actually half of what it used to be but i put it down to stress, tiredeness even i have slept well
and many many more. my gyno said i should take them for a month and recheck and actually i've taken them for about 2 days and i feel great!!!

thks.

[thyroida]

Also, may want to look into your lab reference ranges on the HGB/HCT- I believe the min.  is 39 HCT and 12 HGB.  

[thyroida]

Hello, your Ferritin (iron stores) can be very low even when HGB, HCT, and "iron" are within the normal range.  My Ferritin is very low low with HGB/HCT similar to yours and I'm on prescription strength iron.  Are you having any symtpoms of low iron?  I've been having extreme hair loss, which is believed to be a result of the low iron stores.  Ferritin stores are the first thing to fall before you become Aemic.   I suggest having your Ferritin tested, and if your having symtoms, may want to consider the iron supplements.  Also have TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) tested- a high number may suggest lowered iron stores.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
No, you do not have anemia. You do not need iron therapy. However you should take more of green leafy vegetables, carrots, and other sources of iron. The values of hemoglobin and hematocrit are within the normal limits but on lower side. In some women this could be a normal finding and taking iron unnecessarily may cause more harm than good. However you must take care of your diet and eat a well balanced diet.
Hope this helps. Take care!