[Thyroid status in anemic pregnant women under conditions of endemic goiter]. [Article in Russian] Zel'tser me
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| Anemia and HypothyroidismSo, at the same appointment where I learned that my TSH was up but my access to Armour thyroid meds was gone, I also learned that I'm borderline anemic again. In particular, I'm very iron-deficient. My ferritin levels are down the tubes. Ferritin is a protein that binds with iron and keeps it available for use, if I understand it correctly. It's one measure of stored iron in your body, basically. Online, ferritin levels considered "normal" vary from source to source. The lab I used listed 11-307 as "normal." Medline Plus lists normal ferritin levels as: Male: 12-300 ng/mL Female: 12-150 ng/mL "The lower the ferritin level, even within the "normal" range, the more likely it is that the patient does not have enough iron." Most online sources I've read state that while "normal" may be as low as 12, people should start getting concerned with levels below about 50. Guess what my level was? 7.2. Definitely below any measure of "normal" and basically in the toilet. Great. Now, my hemoglobin and hematocrit are in the "normal" range.....but only just barely. My hemoglobin was 11.6 and the cutoff is 11.5; my hematocrit was 35.4 and the cutoff is 34.7 at my lab. So not "officially" anemic, but barely above the cutoffs. And the ferritin is definitely abnormally low (7.2 when it should be at least 11). The good news is that we had other levels tested last year to figure out which kind of anemia I had. My folate levels are good (I have aggressively supplemented these over the years because of pregnancy and breastfeeding) and my B12 levels are also good. So with the really low ferritin levels, it looks like it's iron deficiency anemia. I've been struggling with this for a while. I've often been a bit borderline anemic over the years, but not enough to cause big problems. In pregnancy, I used "Floradix" - an herbal over-the-counter preparation - and that helped immensely without causing constipation, the way that iron pills can. It's great stuff, much better than OTC iron. It's what got my hemotocrit and hemoglobin levels up this past year.....but apparently it doesn't have as much effect on ferritin levels. Bummer. As I've gotten older, I've had more issues with anemia, enough so that I was no longer able to donate blood to the Red Cross anymore. I'm a fairly rare blood type so they love me, but I haven't been able to donate now in several years because of the anemia. In fact, my donations probably exacerbated my low iron issues.....but I haven't donated in several years now, and my ferritin levels are still down to 7.2, so obviously it's much more than just blood donation going on. Part of the problem is being perimenopausal. One symptom of impending menopause you don't hear a lot about is extremely heavy periods, called "menorrhagia." Colloquially, it's called the "blood flood" and sadly, it's very aptly named. My periods were always reasonably normal, not usually too heavy or too painful. I skipped months periodically because of the PCOS, but once my hypothyroidism was finally diagnosed and treated, I never skipped a period again. (Still have other PCOS symptoms but as long as they hypothyroidism is treated, they stay relatively mild. Now, with my TSH going up, they're starting to act up more again. Ugh.) As I've become perimenopausal, the periods became heavier and heavier. So this is quite likely a big cause of the low ferritin levels too. But I'm happy to report that as I move closer to menopause (and with the help of acupuncture), the heavy periods have eased up, thank goodness! And yet, despite this, my ferritin levels are still at an all-time low. So obviously, menorrhagia is not the only cause for my low ferritin levels. I eat plenty of iron foods, I cook in iron skillets, I regularly take vitamin C with my iron, I avoid calcium etc. with the iron, I eat plenty of red meat (a more easily absorbed source of iron), and basically do all the things that are supposed to "fix" this problem. And none of them are working. What I learned recently, though, is that hypothyroidism and anemia tend to go hand in hand. When you have one, you often have the other, especially if there are any other challenges to your system (like pregnancy, birth, blood donation, heavy periods, etc.). And apparently, undertreated hypothyroidism in particular tends to result in low ferritin levels. So it will be interesting to see whether getting my TSH levels back to where they feel better to me will also coincide with an improvement in my ferritin levels. I am also taking supplemental iron and Floradix. Hopefully all of that will be enough to get things back to normal. Keep your fingers crossed!
Posted by Well-Rounded Mama at 11:46 AM Labels: anemia, menopause, thyroid
Bonnie said... Here is a link to the site where I get my natural thyroid. Hope it helps. http://www.nutri-meds.com/Nutri_Meds_Desiccated_Porcine_Thyroid_Capsules_p/nm-g-ptc.htm January 22, 2010 1:30 PM
Cya said... I am also hypothyroid with low ferrtin. I started feeling better once my ferritin hit 20, which I suspect also got my thyroid levels to shape up. I have now reached a ferritin of 45, but since I started to exercise my levels have not increased (rather decreased somewhat). Last week I found out my DD 9 was also hypothyroid with low ferritin. After letting the news sink in, I convinced my very reluctant DD 12 to go for a test. Yesterday we received the news, hypo and low ferritin. Our doctor liked to call them subclinical, but no way did I agree! With THS for both at about 20 (0.35 - 6.0) and Free T4 at 11 and 8.5 (8.0 - 22.0), I requested to see a pediatric endo. My youngest has started on medication, and I am sure my eldest will as soon as she get to see the endo. I will give them both liquid iron for 2 - 3 months, hopefully it will make them perk up. I curse myself for not catching on to it sooner, but it never occured to me until my youngest displayed a goiter. Do keep an eye on your children, and have them tested if you suspect something. All the best, Cya January 22, 2010 6:38 PM 
kathmandu said... On the subject of iron supplements, for people who don't have ferritin problems and just need more iron: the constipation is caused by ferrous sulphate. That's the cheapest and commonest form of iron in supplements. But if you can find supplements containing ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumerate, those won't cause constipation. January 24, 2010 5:08 PM 
Anonymous said... I have two more weeks left in a 6-week course of Ferlicet (I think that's the spelling) to get my iron levels up. My ferritin was at a 4. Yikes! No hypothyroidism for me, however. I've also had weight loss surgery (the duodenal switch) and gave birth via C-section to twin boys this summer. My iron levels, already low, but a stable low, crashed immediately thereafter. When you're that low, no amount of supplementing is going to get you up when you add in a malabsorption factor. So, it was infusion city for me. In addition, I'm also choking down a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses every day. You get 40% of your RDA of iron from that. Utterly incredible, if you can stand getting it down. If all else fails, go with the infusions. They're the quickest way to resolve at least part of your problem. Good luck! Sarah
January 24, 2010 8:21 PM 
Well-Rounded Mama said... Thanks for the comments folks. The type of iron I am taking is mostly ferrous gluconate so it's easier on my system. And of course, Floradix, which is really helpful too overall, just not as helpful with the ferritin. Cya, thanks for the heads-up on watching the kids' levels. I did start having my teenage daughter tested for hypothyroidism recently because mine first presented in my late teens and I wanted a baseline for her. So far so good...but we'll watch the ferritin too. Sarah, the combo of WLS and the blood loss you can have with childbirth (esp c/s) is a tough combo. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know that nearly all the WLSers I have known have ended up on IV iron sooner or later. It's just too hard to keep those levels up without it because of the malabsorption. Interesting how you ended up with a level of 4 with the WLS, and I'm at 7----without WLS. Yipes. Scary what it might be with WLS!! Well, hopefully I can start getting it back up again pronto! If not, thanks for the hint about the IV iron protocol. Here's hoping I won't need it....but thanks for sharing. Congrats on your twins, btw! January 24, 2010 10:46 PM
Anonymous said... http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-capsule25-2010jan25,0,3227448.story Just read that, and ran right over here to share it. BBBW (big beautiful breastfeeding woman) right here. Nursed my 4yo til she was 3. January 25, 2010 3:20 PM
Anonymous said... I used a product called Ferrasorb when my iron levels were low. January 26, 2010 9:10 AM
Hazelnut said... Do you know what your red cells actually look like? I'm a veterinarian, not a doctor, and employed in a research lab rather than in practice, but what I was taught is that true iron deficiency anemia will typically cause a hypochromic microcytic anemia (cells are pale and smaller than normal). I never hear about this in human medicine, and I always wonder. January 27, 2010 8:53 AM
Anonymous said... Glad to see this post. I too have been dealing with low ferritin and life without a thyroid. Ferrous Gluconate is also my choice of supplement. I take synthroid. So what have I learned? Low ferritin, hypothyroidism and perimenopause symptoms mimic one another. I feel best when my ferritin is over 70. As I approach menopause and my ferritin levels come up, I became hyperthyroid and need less synthroid. I feel best when my TSH is between 1-2. Oh yes, iron supplements and calcium interfere with synthroid (and each other) - give them a 4 hour window from each other. Thanks for the opportunity to share! April 22, 2010 11:30 AM
Sick of being tired! said... Hey! Who stole my body? We share so many common symptoms it was kinda weird reading your comment!-Perimenopause, Hypothyroid, Low iron, & Low Vit D!?! I just found out about the last 2 this week. The way the symptoms mimic each other is crazy and confusing at times- I wonder if it amplifies the symptoms? I appreciate the comments from everyone and look forward to walking down the road to health because I have too many things to do in life beginning with keeping up with and enjoying my 3 teenagers! I am looking for a healthy way to jumpstart my health in addition to my supplements. If anyone has advice..."sick of being tired" June 12, 2010 4:27 PM
Anonymous said... Skin Bright says I am also hypothyroid with low ferrtin. I started feeling better after I got my ferritin into the mid twenties. Through exercise I have now been able to get my ferrtin level up into the forties. June 19, 2010 5:40 AM
Home Remedies said... There are also different types of anemia: iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, and anemia of chronic disease, as well as aplastic anemia, anemia associated with bone marrow disease, hemplytic anemia and sickle cell anemia. September 3, 2010 4:57 AM
Anonymous said... I'm 4 years post-menopausal, and the blood lab turned me away in April after 30 loyal years of donating due to low iron -- turned out I was anemic, leading to thyroid check, and Hashimoto's diagnosis... Also low in calcium, Vit. D, globulin, etc. Like "sick of being tired," I wonder whether all these conditions' symptoms amplify one another, and what more is recommended aside from religiously taking iron supps, thyroid meds, and the low-dose anti-depressants the docs have prescribed. It's tough enough keeping up with teenagers, work, and home, without all this... September 5, 2010 8:54 AM
Anonymous said... Joe said,,,
March 20, 2011 4:31 PM
Anonymous said... Hi, Iam recenlty diagnosed with hypothyroidism and anemia.. Im afraid that i might pregnant this month as we did not use any protective measures and i also assume Im ovulating as i have lots of discharge..Should i use any contraceptive pills or is it okay if im pregnant?.. I wanted to have a baby but before that i wanted to get back to normal.. But Im worried that if i get preg this month what will happen to the baby.. Please advise. October 18, 2011 6:36 AM
Well-Rounded Mama said... Anonymous, I'm not a health care provider and I don't give medical advice. Besides, there is no way for me to know what your iron and thyroid levels are, which is important. My suggestion is to consult a midwife or your GP as soon as you can. To answer on a basic level, I think a lot depends on how bad your anemia and hypothyroidism is and whether you are on meds. People do have generally healthy pregnancies with mild hypothyroidism and mild anemia; if you were pregnant and your condition was mild, you could start getting those labs improved via meds and diet and go from there. It doesn't have to be a disaster. But more severe deficiencies might mean more problems. Really, you need to see a healthcare professional who is familiar with your details and ask them these questions. Sorry I can't help you more. October 18, 2011 10:52 AM Post a Comment Directory: cdc -> onlinecdc -> uploads uploads -> East west college of nursing magadi main road, bangalore uploads -> Year m. Sc nursing rajeev college of nursing k. R. Puram, hassan uploads -> Bangalore, karnataka. Proforma for registration of subject for dissertation uploads -> Karnataka, bangalore annexure II proforma for registration of subjects for dissertation uploads -> Through proper channel. Respected Sir uploads -> Name of the candidate and address. Pabba lakshmi priya uploads -> Registration of subjects for dissertation uploads -> Rajiv gandhi university of health sciences bangalore, karnataka annexure II uploads -> Brief resume of the intended study: need for the study Download 343.45 Kb. Share with your friends:
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