Understanding Life with Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia

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What It’s Like To Have Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia

by Emily Carter

Updated: Aug. 4, 2021

Originally Published: Aug. 4, 2021

I’m currently dealing with severe anemia, which gives my skin a pallor reminiscent of a vampire. While it lends me a punk rock or goth vibe, it also comes with overwhelming fatigue that forces me to nap almost every afternoon—definitely not the coolest look. This exhaustion can be so intense that I’ve found myself in tears, unable to walk up a mountain I had previously conquered. Most people recognize the classic symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, but there are many lesser-known signs that often go unnoticed.

Anemia comes in various forms, including sickle-cell anemia, an inherited condition related to the shape of red blood cells. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that there are other types as well, such as thalassemia, aplastic anemia, and vitamin deficiency anemia. The particular type I struggle with is iron deficiency anemia, which occurs when there is insufficient iron intake to produce enough red blood cells.

What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?

According to Hematology.org, anemia is the most prevalent blood disorder. A study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that approximately 11% of American women—around 3.3 million—are affected by iron deficiency anemia. This condition arises when the body lacks sufficient red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the protein that gives blood its red color and enables it to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to create a healthy number of red blood cells. It’s common during pregnancy and can also result from heavy menstrual cycles. In fact, heavy periods can exacerbate the situation, as noted by Dr. Alan Bennett, a gynecologist. He explains that excessive blood loss leads to a cycle of losing blood, replacing a portion of it, and then losing more the following month—it’s like trying to fill a car with a leak in the tank.

I’ve always experienced heavy menstrual cycles, and my dietary habits don’t help. I’ve never liked meat; while I occasionally eat bacon or chicken, I generally follow a vegetarian diet and avoid seafood except for oysters. Just last week, I managed to eat meat only once when I snagged some chicken tenders from my kids. Afterward, I lost a significant amount of iron during my cycle. My periods are so severe that if I had just given birth, I would send emergency room doctors into a panic. Imagine your worst period, multiply it, and add layers of protection, leading to days where I can’t even leave the house.

Discovering My Anemia

Three months ago, my healthcare provider noticed my vampire-like complexion and extreme fatigue, along with other signs such as dark lines at the tops of my fingernails and fissures at the corners of my mouth—both indicators of a possible vitamin deficiency, typically iron-related. A blood test revealed my hemoglobin levels were at eight grams per deciliter, significantly lower than the normal range of 12 grams.

My doctor informed me that I could be referred to a hematologist for iron infusions, which I had previously undergone during my last pregnancy. Those sessions involved sitting in a clinic, receiving iron via an IV, which was not particularly enjoyable. The following day, my entire body felt sore as if every bone ached for a couple of days. I was hesitant to undergo infusions again, so I pleaded for three months to try alternative treatments first. He agreed and provided me with some medical-grade iron supplements.

To be candid, over-the-counter iron supplements are not an option for me due to their unpleasant effects on my digestive system.

Managing My Anemia

My struggle with iron is likely compounded by disordered eating habits from my past. I typically eat only one substantial meal a day and don’t snack much. My husband, aware that convincing me to increase my meals would be difficult, devised a chili recipe rich in pureed iron-packed greens and legumes. It’s essentially a superfood, and since I can eat it daily without deciding what to prepare, it works for me. Plus, you can’t even taste the spinach!

I consume a lot of this chili and chickpea pasta, which provides a good portion of my daily iron. However, this isn’t enough to overcome iron deficiency anemia, so I still take supplements and a vitamin drink called Floradix, which I down quickly.

After three months of this regimen, despite experiencing three tough periods, my iron levels improved to 9.5. Now, I’m only short of about a quarter of my red blood cells. The takeaway? Never underestimate the power of chili.

I’ll need to continue this approach, or my levels may drop again. So, I’m committed to my supplements and chili for the long haul. At least I’m not napping for four hours daily, and I look a bit less like a vampire and more like a standard goth. And yes, I genuinely enjoy that chili.

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Summary

Severe iron deficiency anemia can lead to significant fatigue and other health issues, affecting daily life. Understanding the causes and treatment options, including dietary changes and supplements, can help manage the condition.

Keyphrase: Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia

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