[55 Tony]

Dr says (or has been saying) that my iron is way low. Tried all kinds of iron supplements and they all come out the other end very fast. I also eat a good amount of fresh spinach salads and other leafy greens. Also a fair amount of beef. Last week the Dr told me to try eating beef 3 times a day! I also eat liverwurst if anyone knows what that is. Also called Braunschweiger. Highly processed but lots of easily absorb-able iron. My iron levels have been low ever since I was first tested as a young child (and tired all the time). The Dr keeps saying that I should go to the hospital for an iron infusion. Laying in a hospital bed all day with some sort of iron drip does not sound like something I want to do, especially with the covid crap I don't want to get near a hospital.
Has anyone ever had and iron infusion and what is it like? Did you feel like a new person afterwards?

 

[copymutt]

Men generally don't have iron deficiencies. I’d be getting a second opinions on why its not being absorbed and address the cause as you've already made multiple efforts to increase your intake. Take my thoughts for what they are worth, they're free.
Jim

 

[55 Tony]

Men generally don't have iron deficiencies. I’d be getting a second opinions on why its not being absorbed and address the cause as you've already made multiple efforts to increase your intake. Take my thoughts for what they are worth, they're free.
Jim

It's ever since I was very young, tested by many Drs over the years. Something about my body that doesn't absorb iron efficiently. I thought I was OK since my hematocrit was barely in the OK range, but my iron stays low. Until a couple years ago I gave blood on a regular basis, but was sometimes turned down due to low hematocrit levels. I donated many gallons of blood, enough that if I need blood, I'm covered free of charge until I'm about 120 years old.

 

[Greg's 56 Nomad]

Until a couple of years ago I gave blood on a regular basis, I donated many gallons of blood.

Good for you. I'm a regular blood donor also.
Number 17 should be coming soon.

 

[55 Tony]

Good for you. I'm a regular blood donor also.
Number 17 should be coming soon.
View attachment 326730

Wow, congratulations! I'm nowhere near that high! The pin is neat, better than another "super donor" T-shirt (and it probably costs them a lot less also) . I didn't start until about ... 12(?) years ago. Now my Dr gave me strict orders not to donate until my iron gets straightened out.

 

[Fuelie]

I have had two iron infusions this summer. Took about 45 minutes each time. I had been feeling pretty worn out without doing much of anything. Long story short, I was anemic. Lots of tests, but couldn't find a cause. Had the infusions and now my hemoglobin level is normal. Feeling good again and am back to normal.

 

[beudean2]

I was the same as you. I probably drank 20 gallons of Geritol between the ages of 4 and 8, but always lower than normal iron. I eventually grew out of it. Then, at the age of 51, I began having low iron again, and was diagnosed as being anemic. That’s when I was put through a series of tests by a different doctor, including a colonoscopy. That’s when they discovered a large fast growing tumor on the outside of my colon wall that had ruptured and was leaking blood. 30 days later I had surgery to remove 18” of colon and 15 lymph nodes. If I had waited another 30 days, the tumor would have doubled in size and most likely have become cancerous. Don’t accept your condition as the norm. Get another opinion.


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[55 Tony]

I have had two iron infusions this summer. Took about 45 minutes each time. I had been feeling pretty worn out without doing much of anything. Long story short, I was anemic. Lots of tests, but couldn't find a cause. Had the infusions and now my hemoglobin level is normal. Feeling good again and am back to normal.

Oh, well that isn't as bad as my better half told me. She said her mother laid there all day with an IV! 45 minutes I can handle. Thanks!

 

[55 Tony]

I was the same as you. I probably drank 20 gallons of Geritol between the ages of 4 and 8, but always lower than normal iron. I eventually grew out of it. Then, at the age of 51, I began having low iron again, and was diagnosed as being anemic. That’s when I was put through a series of tests by a different doctor, including a colonoscopy. That’s when they discovered a large fast growing tumor on the outside of my colon wall that had ruptured and was leaking blood. 30 days later I had surgery to remove 18” of colon and 15 lymph nodes. If I had waited another 30 days, the tumor would have doubled in size and most likely have become cancerous. Don’t accept your condition as the norm. Get another opinion.


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Thanks. I've been through the colonoscopy, endoscopy and all kinds of stuff and got a clean bill of health there.
Glad yours was caught in time!

 

[chasracer]

How is your Vitamin C intake? I have kidney disease and that has lead to anemia. I take iron supplements plus have increased iron intake via food but then I found that absorption was still low. I added Vitamin C and that has made a good improvement. Best of luck to you.

 

[55 Tony]

My vitamin C is good, they did a full blood work thing on me. I just did a search and see that vitamin C helps absorption of the iron from plants but the iron in animal products is supposed to be absorbed easily by itself. Anyway I suppose a vitamin C supplement can't hurt. Although if the iron infusion only takes 45 minutes, that I can handle. It's just that I was told it takes all day, although I still am not crazy about going to a hospital for anything with this covid crap going on.

 

[Fuelie]

My vitamin C is good, they did a full blood work thing on me. I just did a search and see that vitamin C helps absorption of the iron from plants but the iron in animal products is supposed to be absorbed easily by itself. Anyway I suppose a vitamin C supplement can't hurt. Although if the iron infusion only takes 45 minutes, that I can handle. It's just that I was told it takes all day, although I still am not crazy about going to a hospital for anything with this covid crap going on.

Not sure, but there may be different types of infusions . Didn't quite catch all my Dr. was explaining, but sounded like there was more than one type. Maybe what your Dr. recommended is best for you. Good luck!

 

[cal dez rat]

I had the same low iron deficiency as you. I had to go to Scripps in San Diego where I found out I have pernicious anemia. Easily treated by B12 shots. Google it.

 

[68Dart]

I get IGG infusions monthly due to an immune deficiency that started in my early 30's as I started to get hospitalized with pneumonia every winter. It's always been a painless process and it's helped tremendously. I now have a nurse that comes once a month and does it right at my house. May be worth asking.

 

[55 Tony]

I messaged my Dr and she said it takes up to 7 hours "depending on hospital protocol". I know I'll never get an answer from the hospital unless I schedule one and they then tell me how long it takes. I can't imagine 7 hours every month unless it really makes a difference in my energy. I think my hemocrit and hemoglobin are good, just barely. It's just the "free?" iron is very low?

 

[68Dart]

Mine said similar but it's actually 3.5hrs + 1hr setup so about 4-4.5hrs for me. In my case it's much better than getting severely sick every winter. I'm 44 btw so long time to go on this regimen but have gotten pretty used to it all.

 

[55 Tony]

I don't get sick very often. When I do feel a bit off like I may have a cold, I normally feel better the next day. Haven't had a fever in 30+ years. The only complaint I have is being tired and failing a stress test really bad although my heart, lungs, and everything else looked OK. All the excerise in the world doesn't help my getting tired physically/out of breath easy/and generally tired sleepy wise. As a kid even though I was the largest built one in the gang, I was always lagging behind on my bicycle, and we probably rode between 2 and 10 miles a day plus other exercise.