Immune Disorders Forum - Symptoms

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Have you just been diagnosed with anemia? Learn how doctors define anemia...plus more information on what causes anemia and who is at risk of developing anemia....

Q: Symptoms - possible anemia ?

asked by: Shalukwa on May 18th, 2009

New User

Hi,
I'm a 20 year old f, smoker, vegetarian
For the past couple of months I've been getting the following:

Constant fatigue, weakness
Heart beating fast and irregularily for a few seconds every now and then(palpatations?)
Constantly cold, esp feet which don't warm up even in a hot room
Really really bad headaches, currently have one that has lasted over a week
V. dark stools
restless legs
difficulty sleeping
I'm naturally pale, but am currently ghostly

I've been tested for anemia twice before with no confirmation (once was told I had a surplus of iron...!), but I've never been as bad as this.
Any thoughts would be great as I don't want to go back to my doctor as he will think i'm a hypochondriac...!

Thank you!

Replies(1)

MandMs

replied on May 19th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

Your symptoms sounds like the ones in anemic patient.
Being a vegetarian, put you at the greater risk for anemia.
You may have anemia due to iron deficiency or anemia due to B 12 deficiency.
It is more difficult for vegetarians to get enough iron because the iron from plant foods is not as well-absorbed as iron from meat. In addition, iron absorption is inhibited by fiber, phytates (in cereals) and oxalates (in green leafy vegetables) which may be more abundant in vegetarian diets.

Ask for another blood test from another laboratory!

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