Success and Iron

There was a report of increased auroral activity (Northern Lights).  I have tried several times but failed each time. This time, I went out knowing the camera could see the colors before the eye could.  As I looked for a vibrant sky, I used my phone to preview the areas.  It was odd that the sky was so different in so many ways, yet only a few miles apart. I drove around for a few hours and took more than 100 photos; only a dozen were high quality. A few of those are below.

Since my iron infusions in August, I’ve been struggling with sleep, severe stomach pain, and a general feeling of being unwell for several months. I had scheduled an appointment with a hematologist to better understand the anemia, but it was months away. I met with the Hematologist last week. He asked if I had any concerning symptoms. I let him know there are several anemia health issues I deal with daily, and it makes it very difficult to exercise. Therefore, the weight is stable and not decreasing. I have the following isses daily:

• Fatigue and weakness: Feeling unusually tired, even after rest. 
• Shortness of breath is common, and inhalers are ineffective. I feel winded with light activity.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness: Anemia can reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to these symptoms. Twice in the last three months, I went totally blank and passed out. Luckily, I did not break anything or walk down the stairs when it happened. 
• My feet are always very cold!
• Chest pain
• Frequent infections
• Irritability
• Cravings for ice

He completed another blood test, and the numbers were well below the recommended minimums. Consequently, after receiving six infusions this year, he scheduled three more. That’s unfortunate! Since 2021, my iron levels have consistently been low.

• Iron 
• Has not been above 30 g/dL 
• 85% OF THE LOWEST & 16% OF THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDED LEVEL
• Normal is 35 to 180 g/dL
• Last week, the level was 20 g/dL - 57% of the lowest recommended level
• Iron Saturation
• Has not been above 8 percent 
• 40% OF THE LOWEST & 14% OF THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDED LEVEL
• Normal is 20 to 55 percent
• Last week, it was 6 percent - 30% of the lowest recommended level
• Hemoglobin
• Has not exceeded 13 g/dL
• 96% OF THE LOWEST & 74% OF THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDED LEVEL
• 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL is normal
• Last week, the level was 12.2 g/dL - 90% of the lowest recommended level
• Ferritin
• Has not been above 20 ng/ml 
• 76% OF THE LOWEST & 19% OF THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDED LEVEL
• Normal is 26 to 388 ng/ml
• Last week, the level was 20 0 ng/ml - 76% of the lowest recommended level

The alarming numbers are concerning because I believed we had identified the cause of the anemia. However, we are back to square one. I am losing blood somewhere, but I can’t pinpoint the source. I suspect it’s the stomach, as it has been painful intermittently for the past few months. I’ve been following the diet, but there hasn’t been much change in the pattern.

Last week, I started using Chronometer diligently. After a week, I was surprised to find that I’m supposedly getting an average of 160% of the required iron from my diet. I was also surprised to see that I’m getting less than 40 percent of the suggested potassium and 80 percent of the recommended calcium. It will be interesting to see what a month of diligent use reveals.

I am really sick of this long-standing issue. I am pleased I retired at 6,1, as at this rate, not sure life will allow me to enjoy activities I prefer unless we get this anemia under control.

Carry on my friends, carry on!