[BipolarMama31]

I got bloodbwork back today.
First time ive had it done in 4 years.
Extremely anemic.
Very high cholesterol and triglycerides. And vitamin d.
I am 25 years old, 5 ft 1in, 115 pounds.
I look normal as far as health.
In 2012 i had a blood transfusion after giving birth because my iron got so low. Im at a level now where im at risk to have it again.
Please, any recommendations for healthy eating!
My meds make me nauseous almost constantly, so i can tolerate oatmeal and smoothies mostly.
Or i just dont eat for days.

I need help/encouragement/ advice!

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[Skeezyks]

Hello BipolarMama31: I'm sorry you're having this difficulty. I'm afraid this is all something I don't really know anything about. If you're this nauseous from your med's, I would think it would be important to discuss this with your prescribing physician. Perhaps a med change is in order. Or perhaps a consult with a nutritionist would be beneficial.

As I'm sure you realize, one cannot live on oatmeal & smoothies alone. One of the questions that needs to be addressed here, I would think, is: is this really a side effect of the medications you're taking or are you possibly developing an eating disorder? Either way, it seems to me, professional intervention is the way to go. I offer you my best wishes with the hope that soon all will be well...

[BipolarMama31]

Thanks skeezyks. You are always so positive with your advice.
An eating disorder is for sure a possibility. Ive always lived my life eating for necessity, at the bare minimum.
My insurance doesnt cover a nutritionist, but i reached out to a friend who is a trainer and hes gonna make a meal plan for me to start with.
Im also smoking over a pack a day. So thats contributing, along with seroquel causing cholesterol issues.
But one step at a time.
Im just realizing how badly i treat my body and i can see it in numbers on paper and im scared.

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[Wild Coyote]

((((( HUGS ))))))

Has a doctor gone over all potential causes of "anemia" with you?
For instance, have you had a stool sample checked for blood?
Are you experiencing abnormally heavy or prolonged periods?
These are rhetorical questions.

Please be sure the cause is all dietary deficit prior to making that assumption. You may have this already covered.

There are some "smoothies" which contain iron.
Plant sources of iron are usually easily assimilated.
Search vegetarian sources of iron, you may be surprised at the sources!

There are powdered vites you can add to your smoothies. A brand named
"All One" comes to mind. There are also whole food liquid vites for women, taking into account the potential need for iron, due to loss during menstruation.

Do you eat a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle?
if not, there are grass-fed organ meets you can utilize as well.

There is also anemia related to Vitamin B12 deficiency.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/v...topic-overview

The nausea appears to be problematic and preventing eating.
A GI consult might prove helpful?

A re-evaluation of meds may be in order.

It's critical the potential causes of anemia are confirmed.

Either way, hop right on building up your iron.

With Concern,
WC

You might also consider visiting the "sister health site,
neurotalk." Lots of brilliant minds there, willing to help!

[BipolarMama31]

Wild- that was all so helpful. I will bring it all up to my dr.
Im pretty sure it is diet related.
I ate some kale yesterday in a smoothie hopefully starting on the right foot.
I think i need a med review and a nutritionist.

Ill read over what you posted. Thanks so much!

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[htoun]

I have been getting good results with a liquid iron called Floradix. It's all vegetables and not horrible taste wise. The best part is it doesn't leave you feeling gassy or bloated or any of the other things that iron piles can do. I take it only at dinner, can't take it in the morning as I am on thyroxine and they don't mix. My iron is still low but no longer dangerously and getting better.

Be very careful about your cholesterol. I had horrible side effects on the drug they put me on for cholesterol. Really check the research going on and the interactions.

Aside from that I agree with Wild Coyote. Try to find out why and get your B12 checked.

Good luck

[Wild Coyote]

I have also heard great reports about Floradix! So glad you have mentioned this!

If/when cholesterol is high, it's important it doesn't oxidize. This is one (of many) important reasons for adequate antioxidant intake.


WC

[BipolarMama31]

Thanks! Will try floradix.

Wild coyote- what do you mean doesnt oxidize?

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[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by BipolarMama31

Thanks! Will try floradix.

Wild coyote- what do you mean doesnt oxidize?

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Here is a helpful explanation. If a pop-up appears for a free subscription, you can simply "x" out of the pop-up if not interested.

Dr. Robert Rowen Talks About Cholesterol and Statins


WC

[BipolarMama31]

Great thanks!

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[BipolarMama31]

This is super helpful. Gonna tale some time later to really research all of it. Thanks again

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[Wild Coyote]

Hi BipolarMama,

I hope some info. is helpful to you.
I am thrilled if any info helps out.


WC

[htoun]

Wild Coyote great sight. I will go back to take that all in. Personally there is not enough money in the world to get me back on a statins. It dropped my cholesterol but really mucked up everything else. I'm only now almost 4 years later getting a blood test that doesn't have my results in the flagged area. If you are already having problems with low levels of vits and minerals it may cause way more problems than it is worth. Side effects I had were weak and painful muscles, mood swings/angry, my hair stopped growing, brain fog. I fired my doctor over it. Which isn't easy in Canada. New place doesn't even test for it as I refuse to take them.

Anyways be careful with them there are more and more drs speaking out against them and the list of conditions/ethnic groups that can't take them is growing. In the last 5 years thyroid conditions have been added which explains most of my problems but the more I research the more alarmed I become about the hole thing.

[BipolarMama31]

I think my high cholesterol is because of the seroquel I take.
Im not going to take a cholesterol pill.
Im changing my diet instead.

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[sub-dural]

You should get your metabolic panel redone a month or more into your new diet... UNLESS you are still feeling **crappy** from anemia.

If you cannot tolerate the iron supplements you can do an IV iron infusion. I do these and find them harmless - a little nauseous a few hours later.. But I feel totally different in the week following.

Of course there may be an underlying cause for the anemia, but low iron levels can be very dangerous and that needs to be corrected first. You are doing the right thing by changing your diet. But if you don't feel a marked improvement or if you feel worsening anemia symptoms, maybe try that route.

Maybe you are not absorbing, as well. You may have a celiacs or crohn's or something. I've periodically let the upkeep of my nutritionally-challenged health (autoimmune disease) lapse and really feel sick suddenly. Shortness of breath (esp climbing stairs), muscle fatigue, and heart fluttering/palpitations serve as the unfortunate reminder I have to jab myself with B12 or set up an iron infusion. Those 3 are good immediate warning signs for me. The reason I let things lapse is simple forgetfulness. It can be hard to focus on your own health sometimes.

I hope you start feeling better!

[BipolarMama31]

I never thought of this than more than a bad diet. But im thinking it mite be more serious.
Im constantly tired. Muscle cramps. Light headed. Shortness of breath. Always getting a cold. And constant UTIs for the past 2 years.
Maybe its more than just bad diet.

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[sub-dural]

Low levels of WBCs and hemoglobin are very much tied in with nutritional deficiencies.
Did the doctor give you the values for your blood tests?

Low B12 can sink your WBCs which would make you more susceptible to illness. Iron-deficiency anemia is linked in with the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is the part of the red blood cell that needs iron in order for oxygen to attach on and go through your arteries to organs. This is why one tends to feel so exhausted (fatigued as hell) and short of breath and light-headed.. Not enough oxygen circulating around.

Have the doctors rule out other causes for this (keep your healthy diet, diet affects everything). They can do different blood tests for celiacs and other types of anemia. They can also help treat low iron or low B12 and get you feeling much better.

[BipolarMama31]

I got a full blood test for literally everything, and my doc called and said i need vit d and iron pills asap. She also said cholesterol and triglycerides were high. But i didnt get the review of all of my numbers yet. We will look at that at my next apt.

Ive struggled with eating, bordering on an eating disorder for years. I am also nauseous constantly. Not sure if bc of meds or bc i work myself up to not eat.

But ive been consistant with kale and spinach and lota of fruits and protein (not from meat) for the past few days. Gonna start with diet and go from there.

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[sub-dural]

Another thing that may trigger problems with eating and nausea is gastritis. Inflammation of the stomach - could be caused by medications (especially anti-inflammatories like aleve and ibuprofen), chronic stress, and cigarette smoking. I'm not lecturing about smoking. I am also a smoker.
But it's mainly important to take care of the vitamin deficiencies and get you feeling better and that way you will be on the right track to continue making positive changes.

[BipolarMama31]

Guilty of at least a pack a day and high stress life.

Working on the stress.
Cigs will be another hurdle.
Also a pot of black coffee a day is probably contributing to the nausea.

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[sub-dural]

It sounds like we would get along. Nothing better then hot black coffee and a cigarette.

I make a lot of ginger/lemon/honey tea. It is like a magical elixir for your stomach.. Just buy a fresh ginger root and peel the skin and then dice like an oz into a mug - steep with boiling water for 6-8mins than poor that into a bigger glass with a slice of lemon and add honey. Great remedy for nausea also. And tastes good.

[BipolarMama31]

That sounds amazing. Will try!

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[htoun]

Sounds like we would all get along. I have a pot a day and 1/2 pack habit. There is nothing better than the first cup of coffee. Sometimes I pull out the old perk coffee maker it smells so very very good.

Ginger root tea is also good for colds. I drank it a lot when I was pregnant.

Have you thought about what you are eating that might cause the nausea. I have big problems when I eat too much sugar. It gets worst if I haven't been keeping up on the high protein.