Bruising easily

[Mischka]

Anyone know anything about iron-deficient anemia? I think I may have it, but I don't know how serious it is, or if I need to do anything about it. Last time I tried to donate blood (about three weeks ago), the sample drop revealed that I was 5% below whatever red platelet level I need to be able to donate. Right now my arms are covered in bruises; I slightly bumped the corner of my desk two days ago and the next day a bruise appeared there.

Besides eating more spinach and beef, is there anything I need to be doing? Does it sound like I have iron-deficient anemia? I checked webmd, but it sounded kinda vague.

 

[alexandraaah]

Vitamin C deficiency is another reason for easy bruising.

Take 1000mg a day for a while and see if that helps.

Otherwise, have bloodwork done. Iron isn't something to fuck with on your own, at least not for men.

 

[Mischka]

Will do - thanks, Alex. I'm going to need one of those little pill dividers soon. I'm already taking a multi-vitamin and an extra Vitamin E every day.

 

[seXieleXie]

do you feel weak and tired often? those are big signs of anemia.

only a doctor can diagnose anemia because it requires special blood tests (not just an iron count).

things to increase the amount of iron in your body: eat more meat, eat green leafy veggies, take a suppliment, increase your vitamin C and A consumption (helps you process the iron) decrease your soda, coffee and tea intake. be careful about taking a suppliment though, because too much iron can be harmful.

 

[sabbathstorm]

I'm one of those people that is simply prone to bruising. I get plenty of iron and vitamin c but it's never made a difference. I second getting bloodwork done just to make sure things are ok.

 

[JusticeLupus]

Mischka, this is something you should probably consult a dr about. Alex is right.

Besides, the bruising easily could be other more serious things and that is really nothing to fuck around with. Please try to be seen.

 

[Spinaroonie]

The spinach thing isn't quite true... You see they used to believe that the iron content was 5 (I forget units) per serving. As it turns out the US FDA misplaced a decimal point. So it should've been .5. The most iron rich food is actually dandelion stalks.

 

[freakygirl]

Mischka

Before you up the amount of Vitamin C (if it's in your Multi vitamin, you could take more than needed and it's not "more is better" when you are talking vitamins).

Vitamin C can be toxic if you take to much.

Go to the dr (or the health dept) and get your iron checked. It's a small poke on the finger.. they can give you the best options.

 

[Mischka]

Dumb question, but what kind of doctor does this kind of blood work? General Practitioner?

 

[alexandraaah]

Dumb question, but what kind of doctor does this kind of blood work? General Practitioner?

Yes, an internist would be fine.

I'm gonna run and check WebMD, but from my knowledge, freaky, whatever Vitamin C your body doesn't use is passed.

 

[Problem Child]

The spinach thing isn't quite true... You see they used to believe that the iron content was 5 (I forget units) per serving. As it turns out the US FDA misplaced a decimal point. So it should've been .5. The most iron rich food is actually dandelion stalks.

This from the guy that believes George Bush blew up the World Trade Center, Chemtrails, that there's a government conspiracy to give us all cancer in vaccines, and that it's okay to fuck with kites draped across high voltage power lines.

I'd get a second opinion Mischka.

 

[freakygirl]

Here maybe this will help

http://www.healthwell.com/healthnotes/Concern/Iron_Deficiency.cfm

 

[freakygirl]

Yes, an internist would be fine.

I'm gonna run and check WebMD, but from my knowledge, freaky, whatever Vitamin C your body doesn't use is passed.

I thought (and was taught this) also. But according to my recent health classes (and confirmed from my dr) there is recent findings that the body does retain it and it can cause some liver and possibly kidney problems.

I'll see if I can find the article that explained it.

 

[seXieleXie]

okay, vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin so you just pee out any excess. the "tolerable upper intake level" (read: maximum dose) for an adult is 2000mg. i doubt you're consuming that much and as long as you're drinking water everything shoud be fine.

in order to be diagnosed for anemia your hemoglobin (what binds the oxygen to your blood) has to be tested; this requires more than just a prick on your finger. a general practitioner can order these tests but you'll probably have to go to a lab.

 

[alexandraaah]

Maybe this helps.

http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/mega_1_1.html#HOLFORD

 

[Mischka]

Here maybe this will help

http://www.healthwell.com/healthnotes/Concern/Iron_Deficiency.cfm

Thanks, freaky. Ironically (hah!), I don't know whether to chalk up my fatigue to law school or some iron deficient problem.

Either way, I'll schedule an appointment right after exams.

(My multi-vitamin only contains 60 mg of Vitamin C, so I'm well below the limits. I intentionally chose one with a smaller dose because I eat so much citrus fruit.)

 

[alexandraaah]

okay, vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin so you just pee out any excess. the "tolerable upper intake level" (read: maximum dose) for an adult is 2000mg. i doubt you're consuming that much and as long as you're drinking water everything shoud be fine.

in order to be diagnosed for anemia your hemoglobin (what binds the oxygen to your blood) has to be tested; this requires more than just a prick on your finger. a general practitioner can order these tests but you'll probably have to go to a lab.

Your smarts turn me on, chica.

 

[Spinaroonie]

This from the guy that believes George Bush blew up the World Trade Center, Chemtrails, that there's a government conspiracy to give us all cancer in vaccines, and that it's okay to fuck with kites draped across high voltage power lines.

I'd get a second opinion Mischka.

First of all, it's ok to mess with kites in power lines if you're not touching the pole. You have to have the ability to fly.

Second of all, I didn't learn that from the conspiracy shows, I learned it from a legit book.

 

[Mischka]

Your smarts turn me on, chica.

Wait a minute. I thought you were falling in love with me. Quite the fickle fillie today.

 

[Starfish]

Actually, and I am not trying to be picky, but Vitamin C is not toxic at even 300% the RDA, which would be hard to obtain a level over that, naturally. It is pills that say 1000% RDA that you should avoid.

Vitamin C known as a water soluable vitamin, therefor is easily flushed by the body with regular water intake. It is the fat soluable vitamins that can be extreamly toxic at levels even slightly over their RDA. Things like Vitamin A, D and K.

Although rare, the most common manifestations of vitamin C toxicity are kidney stones, and in very rare circumstances, anemia (caused by interference with vitamin B12 absorption). B12 and B6 are vitamins that you need for neurological functions, and for metabolism regulation. They are obtained through greens and some other sources.


About boosting iron. You don't need to take in MORE iron. YOu need to make use of what iron you take in.
One thing that is not widely known is that Iron absorption is dependant solely on the intake of Vitamin C at the time of ingestion. Otherwise you'll end up loosing the iron you took in. This is why people on Iron suppliments alone will get heavy, black BM stools. This is a clear sign that the suppliment is not effective.

If you want to solve this with an iron suppliment, take a vitamin C suppliment (try not to take over 100% rda for either).

Otherwise, Eat a good sized bowl of Raisin Bran and drink a full 8 oz to 12 oz. glass of OJ everyday. Make sure your intake of green leafy vegitables is good (not that watery head lettuce... I mean a good red leaf, spinach or some other dark greens)

That will do it for anyone.

 

[Problem Child]

First of all, it's ok to mess with kites in power lines if you're not touching the pole. You have to have the ability to fly.

Second of all, I didn't learn that from the conspiracy shows, I learned it from a legit book.

Hey, you're missing PowerPuff Girls right now.

And don't leave your Legos all over the floor when you're done playing.

 

[freakygirl]

Ok, I also did a search

I found about a million webpages that said it's bad and an equal amount saying it isn't.

Who knows.. yesterday coffee caused cancer.. today they tell us to drink 8 cups a day to maintain healthy eye sight. I can't keep up.

Mischka.. best thing to do is go to the dr.. (obviously I've been out of that profession way to long.. lol)

 

[seXieleXie]

the RDA is an interesting thing. it basically means "what you absolutely need in order to function properly." if you get below the RDA of vitamin C you're likely to end up with scurvy or something equally gross.

 

[Starfish]

Shit, I forgot to say that the aliens might have done it.

 

[explain]

a general practitioner can order these tests but you'll probably have to go to a lab.

Nope. I hadd a full blood workup done this January. Costs a shitload of money, but my plain ole family physician did it. He draws about three vials of blood for the full work up and he processes the results.
You will want to go through your family doc so they can retain the results with your history file.
Ironically, mine showed up with a HIGH iron count. Look that one up, what a gross, gross process to deplete iron from the blood! Adding iron is much, MUCH easier!
Make an appt with your local doc. Some places, you don't even have to see the doc, the nurse draws the blood, no waiting and your outta there. Come back in about a week and discuss the results with your doc then. The reports come back easy enough any lamer like me could even understand it! It takes the doc to tell you what to do if something is out of bounds on the scale.
Take care! -ex