Are You Anaemic?

[SheenaVee]

Just wondering coz it seems like a lot of blacks are anaemic. I mean nearly all the women in my family are and so am i. just wanna see how many of us on here are. Might seem a little of topic but anaemia cud have effects on hair growth so i thought id put it on here.

 

[Lavendar]

Yes extremely! I had to get iron infusions through an IV on a weekly/monthly basis for several years. Last year I had a NovaSure procedure to control my very heavy cycles, and I haven't had a cycle since then (thank the Lord)!!! My anemia has been under control since then. Ironically, taking 5 mg of biotin everyday is also helping to maintain my iron levels and red blood cell count. Who would have thunk it?

 

[nappity]

Anemia is a lack of red blood cell which leads to many health complications. This is not a condition that you want to have prolonged. It can cost you your hair- make your bones brittle and interfere with getting proper circulation. I dont like pills so I dont take them but i cook often in a cast iron pot and eat alot of dark green veggies. I loooove spinach and I loooove mustard,kale and collard greens. ( lettuce is not dark green LOL)

 

[SheenaVee]

yh i have to take prescribed iron tablets 3 times a day! An i dnt like them either!

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

I am also anemic and went through the dreaded IV iron infusions as well. I now eat lots of liver, spinach, greens....etc. I also have to take daily iron supplements as well. The worse thing I hate about my anemia, is that I am always super cold.

 

[Lavendar]

yh i have to take prescribed iron tablets 3 times a day! An i dnt like them either!

Yuck, I feel ya! I would either get an allergic reaction to them or I'd get all blocked up. Iron is not easy to take....at least the side effects are not.

 

[SheenaVee]

yh im always cold too CHEEKQUEEN

 

[Demi27]

Yes. I have been anemic since I was a child.
I have just started taking iron again, though.

 

[nappity]

To combat the clogging that iron pills cause- Eat bran, like raisin bran or all bran cereal. It helps amass bulk that alleviates constipation

 

[Sui Topi]

Yup..I found out when I was pregnant. I was told I had to take iron supplements because the blood loss during delivery might've left me needing a transfusion. It didnt happen.

 

[MissLawyerLady]

Yes, I've been suffering with anemia for about 1 year and I can tell a difference in how my body and my hair reacts. My hair doesn't grow as fast as it did about two years ago. This winter has been really bad- I stay cold! and what's worse I eat tons of ice.

I have been taking prenatals (Dr's orders) for several weeks now and my ice craving has gotten a lot better.

Does anyone think the tendency of black women to have fibroids (I have them) makes us prone to be anemic?

 

[DiamondsAndTimbs]

I am. Does anyone else experience a lot for sleepiness despite a full night's sleep? If so...what helped? My doctor told me since mines was mild i only needed to continue on my multi. But i still get cold, tire easily and i can't donate blood...

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

Back in the day, my anemia was at it's worse. I would get into trouble all the time because I would eat all the ice. My mom used to say I would eat it as fast as the ice maker could make it. My ears were always open when I heard the ice drop or hear the fridge dispensing more water for new ice. I would be in a mad dash with my siblings to get to it first. :Run:

 

[carletta]

I take"Slow Fe" Iron tablets they work very well ! (I 've had anemia all my life too.) I don't have any side efects from it !!!!!!!! You can get it at any wal-mart , walgreens, cvs, etc...
you ladies might want to try it.

 

[wheezy807]

I am anemic, also. But at this present time i am not taking anything for it. IMO it doesn't affect my hair growth as far as i know.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

I am also anemic and went through the dreaded IV iron infusions as well. I now eat lots of liver, spinach, greens....etc. I also have to take daily iron supplements as well. The worse thing I hate about my anemia, is that I am always super cold.

Exactly! I mean if you are really anemic, then you have to take the pills and in some cases, some people have had infusions and other kinds of surgery.

And ladies, I cannot stress this enough. Do not start Iron pills for hair growth. Only take the Iron that the doctor gives you because one, they will give you give the type of Iron that you need (there is more than one kind), and two, they will give you the correct dosage.

And please don't give yourself a self-diagnosis. Go see the doctor. There are alot of Black women anemic, but most of us are not. Sometimes anemia, is a symptom of another health issue, not the main problem itself.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

I am. Does anyone else experience a lot for sleepiness despite a full night's sleep? If so...what helped? My doctor told me since mines was mild i only needed to continue on my multi. But i still get cold, tire easily and i can't donate blood...

Mine is so severe, that I cannot have the heart treatment that I need to stop my irregular heart beats. Which is also a cause from the anemia.

In other words, my anemia has damaged my heart, slighty, very slighty.

 

[NuMe2004]

Girl, I took my iron pill this morning before breakfast!

 

[Isis]

Yes, I've been suffering with anemia for about 1 year and I can tell a difference in how my body and my hair reacts. My hair doesn't grow as fast as it did about two years ago. This winter has been really bad- I stay cold! and what's worse I eat tons of ice.

I have been taking prenatals (Dr's orders) for several weeks now and my ice craving has gotten a lot better.

Does anyone think the tendency of black women to have fibroids (I have them) makes us prone to be anemic?

It can certainly contribute from all the loss of blood but I've learned that certain blood types are more prone to be anemic, for any race.

 

[Isis]

I am. Does anyone else experience a lot for sleepiness despite a full night's sleep? If so...what helped? My doctor told me since mines was mild i only needed to continue on my multi. But i still get cold, tire easily and i can't donate blood...

Your symptoms do not sound "mild" to me. If the iron is working (being absorbed), you would no longer feel tired or cold, although it's always best not do donate blood in this case. You need all the red blood cells you can get.
Perhaps a second doctor's opinion is needed.

 

[Starr1]

I've been anemic since I was a teenager. . . I used to take slow-fe (which was great by the way), but now since I feel like I've been eitherpregnant or nursing for the last 3 years I've only been taking a prenatal vitamins and my blood work has always turned great since. Changing my diet has helped as well. . . hooray for spinach!

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

How do you know if you're anemic? What are the symptoms that would bring you into the doctor?

I don't eat ice, but I am colder than most people, and I don't eat a diet high in greens and veggies.

 

[SheenaVee]

Do you get sleepy a lot? and when u get up after sitting or lying dwn for a while do u feel dizzy?
i suggest u go 2 the doctor to get checked out so u can be sure.
HTH

 

[dillard]

i am... i have to take iron supplements. but even when i do, during and after my period i can sleep through a whole day i'm so exhausted. i have shortness of breath sometimes and i've blacked out a few times during my period. don't know if that's related to anemia or if that's something else...

 

[locabouthair]

i am... i have to take iron supplements. but even when i do, during and after my period i can sleep through a whole day i'm so exhausted. i have shortness of breath sometimes and i've blacked out a few times during my period. don't know if that's related to anemia or if that's something else...

same here. I can sleep the whole day and I'm always feeeling tired and cold. I a anemic but I notice that i dont drink enough water, exercise, plus I eat a lot of junk, not much veggies and fruits and that can contribute to feeling fatigue also along with the anemia.

my hair also grows very slowly.

 

[Lavendar]

Back in the day, my anemia was at it's worse. I would get into trouble all the time because I would eat all the ice. My mom used to say I would eat it as fast as the ice maker could make it. My ears were always open when I heard the ice drop or hear the fridge dispensing more water for new ice. I would be in a mad dash with my siblings to get to it first. :Run:

Oh wow...this was me for sure! Ice was constantly in my mouth, it was like a drug. I broke a tooth eating ice and I still couldn't stop. I loved to go to the hospital so I could get a cup of the chopped hospital ice. That ice was sooooo good!

Anyone having any of these symptoms should really be evaluated by the doctor. Just get a blood test done. And don't wait around to do it. Never try to treat yourself with iron...it could be dangerous if you take too much. After you have taken supplements for some time and they don't work, you may have to try other methods. In my case, my anemia is hereditary...my family members have problems absorbing iron through our digestive symptoms so it doesn't matter what we take or what we eat, we will still be anemic unless the iron is placed directly in our veins.

 

[Jakibro]

Yep, I'm anemic also, heavy periods, can't wait for them to go away,always cold,but not tired all the time, take my vitamins and eat my veggies! Diagnosed during a blood test,told my doc my periods were insanely heavy.But have been anemic for as long as I can remember.

 

[la929]

I remember when I was younger I would not be able to stand for even a few minutes without feeling out of breath and having to sit down. While washing dishes I would have to stop to sit down. I passed out walking to the corner store (the lady that ran the store said she thought I was drunk) it was only for a few minutes, but when I came too I stood up to try to walk home and felt faint again....I would have to run a few yards and then sit down on the ground, the do it all again. When I finally made it to my house I ran up the stairs, unlocked the door and passed out again in my kitchen...that time I was out for a couple of hours. My mom took me to the doctor who couldn't find anything wrong with me until she looked at my mouth and told my mother I looked 'pale'. My mouth and tongue was really white and I could not sit up in the chair. My ears were ringing really loudly, I had no appetite, had an incredible headache also. I was prescribed iron pills and it slowly got better. Since then I still get bouts of fatigue and malaise, when I give blood at the doctors office they always find evidence of hemolysis (meaning to break open—is the breaking open of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid (plasma, in vivo). So I have to be careful and take my vitamins. I actually need to go back to the doctor for an update.

Anemia is not joke ladies. If you feel that you may be anemic please consult your physician.

 

[mrsmeredith]

Yes extremely! I had to get iron infusions through an IV on a weekly/monthly basis for several years. Last year I had a NovaSure procedure to control my very heavy cycles, and I haven't had a cycle since then (thank the Lord)!!! My anemia has been under control since then. Ironically, taking 5 mg of biotin everyday is also helping to maintain my iron levels and red blood cell count. Who would have thunk it?

I am anemic and at least novasure worked for you, I was her first failure (her office first failure) so congrats on your procedure. But the blessing was I found out I had a blood disease after that so everything worked out for the good. But yea anemia is not fun but can be worked around if you have the right doctors and know your body and your limits.

 

[msmerc]

Hello,
I haven't posted in a long time.
I am anemic and i also have sickle cell anenia. I have recently been diagnosed with homochromotosis (iron overload) which means my body can't rid itself of excess iron that has been stored. This is not from taking excess amounts of iron but from a gene I have. I have been asked how can i be anemic with iron overload. Doctors explained that i have a low amount of red blood cells but i have excess ferritin in those cells.
Please be careful with the iron.