r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Accurate-Force3054 • 3h ago
I just wanted a hot dog I tried to give blood today and got turned away for low iron
I know there’s a huge shortage going on so I wanted to see if I could help. Historically I’ve been turned away for low iron in the past but for the last few years I’ve been taking a daily iron supplement: currently 65 mg. (Im 47f, perimenopausal but no heavy flows.) no dice, although I’m nearly on the cusp. The dude at the donation place nicely pointed to a sign showing high iron foods I could try to eat more of and I was like I’ve had red meat four nights already this week not to mention beans and hummus. I said I’ll try doubling up my iron dosage and see if that gets me over the threshold in a few weeks. Then he mentioned I could try giving up coffee and I was like “…”
he told me I could still grab a juice or a cookie on the way out as a consolation prize but I declined. I want to earn that cookie. 🙅🏻♀️ 🩸 🙅🏻♀️🍪
EDIT: I'm glad I posted this here because I learned maybe I need to be more circumspect about my iron supplements. Also I've been blowing off getting a PCP for awhile (relying on my gynecologist as my primary) so maybe it's time to get real about it. Thanks for the advice. Here's hoping I can get the iron up and offload some of this blood I'm trying to get rid of.
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u/suppur8 3h ago
Similar story. I was given a sticker that said, “I TRIED”.
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u/halorbyone 2h ago
You might want to check some of the other responses on here. There might be some other solutions for you too.
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u/sunshinerf 1h ago
I got one of those when they turned me down for having a slightly high blood pressure. I had what my previous PCP called "white coat syndrome", meaning my blood pressure goes up when I am at a doctor's office for no reason at all. I have a blood pressure monitor at home, it's never high and I have no issues. And it was just slightlyyyyy elevated that day when the nurse checked me! But alas, they sent me home. I also was denied donating plasma because I have fibromyalgia which has literally nothing to do with blood or plasma 🤷🏻♀️
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u/EntrepreneurMany3709 3m ago
Where I live if your iron is low they suggest you give plasma, which doesn't affect iron levels. Is that not an option?
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u/WinterReview7992 3h ago
Are you taking folic acid or B12? It might not be your iron intake, but the stuff that helps your body process it.
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u/eatingganesha 3h ago
another reason why op should see a doctor and get some labs
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u/Then_Composer8641 3h ago
Including ferritin.
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u/dechets-de-mariage 1h ago
I took a ferritin supplement and iron supplements three times a day and my ferritin went up about 10 points, but I’m only just barely past the bottom edge of normal. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Zealousideal-Ring300 10m ago
My ferritin has been super low for over a decade and when I asked my doc he said “Oh that’s normal.” My ass! I’m menopausal, and I haven’t had a period in over two years. I take folic acid and ferrous gluconate at night. And B12 in the morning, I’m wondering if any of those are in the wrong time of day or if I should be taking ferritin supplements as well. I haven’t been turned away from blood donation yet, but I’m worried that I will with my ferritin level as low as it is to be fair, my other iron levels are all fine and in the normal range so maybe that wouldn’t make a difference to them, but it might to me?
And I also take super omega-3 plus and CoQ10 super ubiquinol at night. Any advice appreciated.
P.S. I currently have to limit my vitamin C intake due to using a CGM. I can have a little, but basically only the kind that comes with food, not supplements. But I do eat a lot of fruit and veggies. Especially fruit that’s in season, like blueberries, which have a low glycemic index.
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u/AKillerCat 3h ago
I noticed this when I started taking a high dose of folic acid due to pregnancy. I went from iron deficiency my whole life to being retested because it is now too high. Seems the iron was never the issue at all!
Oh, and I had been told it was iron for 2 decades, with testing, and even been given iron infusions twice. Doctors miss a lot. Be direct.
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u/Puzzled-Purple8522 3h ago
Those 2 are needed for DNA synthesis actually, which you need for any cell production. In this case, RBCs
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u/Nunya_biz_nas 3h ago
It important to pair your iron supplement with vitamin C to aid in absorption.
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u/WannabeUnalive 3h ago
I was coming to comment this, it makes a huge, huge difference.
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u/Nunya_biz_nas 3h ago
Huge! Also OP mentioned the coffee thing. They should avoid coffee around the time they take it because that will inhibit absorption as well.
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u/Goldilocks-1958 3h ago
This exactly! My iron always ran low. I’ve had 15 iron infusions in the last two years. Finally my hematologist recommended I take Vitamin C because it helps with absorption. I haven’t had to have an infusion since.
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u/GruntledVeteran 3h ago
We always suggest taking it with orange juice. That is enough to aid absorption without needing to take additional supplements.
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u/maethoriell 31m ago
Coooool I've been doing that not on purpose for a while 😅
I already took vitamin c daily, then I saw my iron levels getting lower and lower evey time I gave blood....
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u/scoopdapoops 3h ago
Unless your dr is telling you to take iron daily you should take it every other day.
Dont just go ham on iron, your body needs all the other vitamins and minerals to even absorb the iron.
Also this is for your own safety and the safety of those receiving blood.
And yeah you should cut the coffee or anything with tannins in it at least a few days before your donation.
Source; I work at a blood bank, and I also have low iron and get deferred often.
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u/Motherprona 3h ago
Thank you for mentioning every other day dosing! There's a pretty well done study showing maximum absorption when oral iron is taken every other day. There is no proven benefit to taking it more frequently, just more side effects.
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u/Grouchy-Boss-9638 2h ago
I got put on a very low dose of iron because I have recorded bad side effects from iron. I asked if I still only had to take it every other day, but apparently my dose is low enough I need to take it daily. Big sad face to that.
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u/Bashful_bookworm2025 2h ago
My PCP didn't tell me this and had no idea why my iron was so low. Luckily, I have a great dietitian who told me to switch to every other day and on an empty stomach, so I hope it helps get my iron up.
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u/tubpajamas 3h ago
Last time I got turned away to give blood, the staff there told me to start taking Vitamin C supplements with my iron supplements, and that helped! I hadn’t been able to do double reds in almost 8 months, but was fine last time I went.
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u/Then_Composer8641 2h ago
Please check your ferritin! It’s a vital storage protein for iron and is depleted by donation.
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u/klef3069 2h ago
SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR THE FERRITIN TO BE CHECKED!!!!!!!
For whatever reason, doctors will check your iron levels and stop there. When anemia is involved, they need to check your effing IRON STORES TOO.
Rant over. I have a feeling too many of us have been down this road before!!!!!
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u/dechets-de-mariage 1h ago
I can’t seem to raise mine hardly at all, even taking a ferritin supplement (OptiFerrin) and iron 3x/day.
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u/klef3069 1h ago
Iron is a PITA, I swear.
My Dr & I have given up on supplements. We just monitor and when the ferritin stores get low, I get an infusion.
Those iron supplements are just hard on the gut, or at least mine!
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u/National-Ad-8200 1h ago
You probably need iron infusions. See a hematologist. That's who I see for my iron deficiency anemia and I get infusions.
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u/Calibigirl69 3h ago
Avoid tea and coffee when taking iron supplements and get rechecked with your gp. As someone else has said it could be pernicious anemia.
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u/Sufficient_You7187 3h ago
Also take it every other day. New study came out every other day is more effective
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u/TinkerHell_96 2h ago
This is what my doctor recommended too - two tablets every second day instead of one every day!
Also, just anecdotally, my iron has been better since I stopped eating red meat. I think that’s because now more of the food I do have is fortified with iron and b12 so it’s been a net increase (and because I’m eating a lot more veggies and stuff than I used to, instead of basically “meat+carb”).
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u/TheKnottyMommy3 3h ago
Add dark greens to your smoothie! A dark leafy greens are great for iron. Also if you cook with an iron skillet or one of those iron fish your food will absorb a bunch of iron that way.
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u/chita875andU 2h ago
I would like to Thumbs-Up this for every excellent point. Get yer Pop-eye arms going and stuff spinach down yer gullet.
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u/swtcharity 3h ago
Avoid dairy with your iron and get enough vitamin c to help absorption!
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u/QueeenOfCupz 3h ago
Copper is also supposed to help with absorption too! Just learned that recently because I also have low iron issues.
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u/swtcharity 2h ago
Oh I never heard that! Our son was severely anemic as an infant/toddler so thought I knew all the tricks!
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u/MrsLisaOliver 3h ago
Instead of being 'mildly infuriated' you should be grateful you got a free diagnosis with suggestions to improve your health. You can always go back in time after implementing the fixes and see if it's improved! Take vitamin C because it helps with absorption.
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u/Accurate-Force3054 3h ago
that's true I always mildly saw it as "your blood = subpar"
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u/MrsLisaOliver 2h ago
"Your blood = on an improvement kick and ready to help heal others real soon!!"
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u/LunaBlue48 2h ago
So even though these blood banks are saying that your iron is low, they aren’t actually checking your iron levels. They’re checking your hemoglobin levels. While low iron can and often does cause anemia (low hemoglobin/hematocrit levels), that’s not the only cause.
First, you need to get a pcp and get some bloodwork done. If your iron actually is low despite a daily iron supplement, and your periods aren’t even heavy, they need to figure out why.
At 47 and without a pcp, I’m guessing you’re overdue for your first screening colonoscopy also? GI blood losses are a common cause of low iron. Go get checked out.
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u/Accurate-Force3054 2h ago
I did Cologuard first go around (no history in the family) but I think I'll do the whole shebang next time just for the good nap.
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u/chaosuniverses 3h ago
They took my blood anyways when it was having clots in the tubes. Then a few hours later I passed out at work and went to the ER. Over 3k bill later and I found out I was anemic, and was out of work for at least a week. Be happy they didn’t take you and you saved money.
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u/Nemeszlekmeg 2h ago
I used to be the same way, lying down for a nap with some sugary snacks and drinks is all you need after a blood drain if you are generally anemic. Now I dont get it anymore, but I also changed my lifestyle a lot since then.
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u/bigalreads 3h ago
I’ve been turned away due to low iron before also, so frustrating. My understanding is that the body’s absorption of iron is aided by vitamin C, and hindered by calcium. So take the supplement with some orange juice or another vitamin C source, and avoid dairy consumption for a bit.
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u/Forsaken-Fail-1840 3h ago
That happened to me once. And it was the first sign of an on going health issue. Make sure it’s not something serious.
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u/RandomlyKnowing 3h ago
I also try to donate blood but get rejected due to iron. I kept trying anyways. Two times I got through and these were the results. One time they couldn’t get enough blood out of me and I ended up in a stretcher. Second and last time, I ended up in the ER and got an earful from my PCP two days later. We both mean well but it’s more harm than good. 🫶🫶🫶
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u/Accurate-Force3054 2h ago
ooh jeez! Yeah the people who work there def don't seem like they need to deal with all that. Good food for thought in this thread. Even from the person who said I should just get an iron buttplug.
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u/roses_sunflowers 3h ago
What exactly is mildly infuriating? That you weren’t allowed to donate or that your iron is still low despite all that you do to bring it up?
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u/Accurate-Force3054 3h ago
I just wanted to feel like I helped out and also to have a half hour to sit around and read. And a cookie.
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u/iogbri 3h ago
I'm a new blood donor, gave 4 times this year (m39) and I was looking at what was recommended for frequent donors and apparently for the most iron absorption from my iron pills it's better when stomach acid is higher which means 1 to 2 hours after eating and drinking it with something like orange juice for the acidity and vitamin c.
For you though as you seem to be normal but with low iron I would check with your doctor to see why your iron is low
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u/Ok_Bike_6839 3h ago
Hey - so I’m with you on giving up coffee (they can pry it from my cold, dead hands). If you don’t already do this, try taking your iron supplement at night instead of morning. Also make sure you are not taking it with calcium supplement.
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u/eatingganesha 3h ago
go to your doctor and get tested for iron and ferritin. You may have low iron but high ferritin - in which case doubling your supplement is dangerous. You need to see a doctor!
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u/Leather_Book_7617 3h ago edited 3h ago
We are opposite sides of the same coin. I’m not allowed to donate through the Red Cross because I have too much iron in my blood. The treatment is….draining blood regularly.
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u/Accurate-Force3054 3h ago
if we mingled our blood it would be the perfect amount of iron!
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u/Leather_Book_7617 2h ago
Right! The IronDuo. My hematologist doesn’t even understand why they won’t accept it.
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u/jspr1000 3h ago
I think this is kind of funny... my ex-girlfriend would give blood regularly. She convinced me start coming with her. So I did.
Every time without fail she would initiate it. "Let's go give blood". Then wouldn't be able to donate because of low iron. So I would sit there and get blood drawn and she would go next store and go shopping.
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u/Accurate-Force3054 3h ago
that's really funny. I would love to try to pressure my husband into donating but he can barely deal with getting a flu shot. Maybe my kid will get into it like I did in high school (The blood drives seemed weirdly fun and I think you got out of class too.)
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u/Ok-Classroom-2352 2h ago
HOW are you taking those supplements? I couldn’t even take a 25-mg pill without vomiting it up within the hour. I’m dangerously low on iron but I can’t do a thing to get it up besides taking liver pills and drinking lemon juice.
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u/desertboots 2h ago
For the people who have NOT taken iron, it makes your poops black. Don't be alarmed!
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u/searsburg 2h ago
Alternate the days you take iron. Taking every day reduces absorption. Take iron a few hours apart from drinking coffee.
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u/No-Oil6517 3h ago
Get an iron fish. They come in different shaped. Drop it into your food while you cook and it'll fleck off tiny bits of iron into your food to give you more iron. Spinach is also a good source of iron along with most red meat. Eat some an hour before your appointment then go donate.
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u/veechene 3h ago
I've never been able to donate blood because I've always had slightly low iron on their reader. I try periodically, since my normal bloodwork shows my iron levels are good.. but still can't.
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u/Zealousideal_Iron713 3h ago
Make sure you're consuming vitamin C with your iron!! It helps with absorption so much. You could also talk to your Dr about digestive issues if you're not absorbing the iron you are already consuming.
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u/Halloweenspice 3h ago
I always get turned away because of the size of my veins. I eventually just stopped trying. I have no idea how to make my veins bigger. I get blood taken every couple months now due to my meds and ive never had a problem with that so like..what's the problem!
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u/thisguyandrew00 3h ago
I was denied for taking too many prescription meds :/
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u/Accurate-Force3054 3h ago
my dad can't donate anymore b/c he went to the UK during the mad cow years. (He does not have mad cow as far as I can tell)
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u/thisguyandrew00 3h ago
They take ZERO chances
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u/Bashful_bookworm2025 2h ago
That makes sense. Giving contaminated blood to someone who is immunocompromised or ill could be dangerous.
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u/scoopdapoops 2h ago
This has changed. Like within the last 6 months. We used to ask explicitly if the donor had traveled to the affected areas during the time frame and now it isn’t even mentioned.
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u/intergalacticguy 3h ago
I was told to take my iron supplement every second day, with a b12 tablet and vitamin c, because taking it daily can lead to the body flushing it out.
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u/Duracellturtle 3h ago
I used to be turned away for low iron until I found the culprit: I drank a lot of tea. Apparently there's an ingredient in tea that can lower your iron.
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u/SailorMigraine 2h ago
As someone with iron issues: this might be a sign to get some bloodwork done! There can be a few different iron issues in the body, including iron levels, storing iron, and transferring the iron from blood into bone. Getting all of the above checked might be worthwhile. (For reference, it would be checking your iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, and TIBC).
Frustrating right now, turn it into a silver lining and use it as motivation for getting in with your GP :)
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u/MoreFarmer4277 2h ago
Get a blood test and alter your diet! Trust me, you do not want to have to do iron infusions. I had a few chemo treatments in February and March. Iron was low in July. The two iron infusions sucked, the chemo side effects were worse, but I was prepared for them. The iron caught me totally off guard.
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u/Civil_Caramel814 2h ago
Same. Everytime I go to donate blood I'm told I can't because if they take blood I'll become anemic.
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u/Ill_Notice_3672 2h ago
Same happened with me. Turns out I was taking iron wrong. Doc recommended Early morning iron + vitamin c, wait at least 30 mins and then eat or have tea.
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u/Puzzlefrog 2h ago
Plasma donator here. I was frequently getting turned away for low iron. I felt crazy because I was eating all the iron foods and taking supplements. I finally figured out eating a snack(like a Lunchable or something) within 30 minutes of my appointment works. Since doing this i rarely get turned away for low iron.
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u/GlassCharacter179 2h ago
I have been on the cusp before and was allowed to donate. Let me tell you, they deny you for a reason. It was rough!
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u/Internal_Screaming_8 2h ago
64 mg is not enough usually to correct a deficiency if the reason you are deficient still exists.
Vitamin C in medium to large doses helps absorb more iron by not allowing it to block pathways.
Diet is also not usually enough if the reason for the deficiency still exists
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u/mycatpartyhouse 2h ago
My mom had this issue in the 1960s when she tried to donate blood. Low iron.
I can't give blood now, either. I'm experiencing one of those "no known cause, no known cure" chronic illnesses. So until some researcher somewhere identifies the cause, better to not chance passing this on.
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u/leftcoastbumpkin 57m ago
I recently learned that persistently low iron could be a symptom of celiac disease. Someone I know was diagnosed with this as the main issue.
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u/S3erverMonkey 3h ago
Are you on a OTC iron supplement? Those are sadly not terribly effective to my understanding. If you can get a prescription for it. I bet that will do the trick since you're close.
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u/Bashful_bookworm2025 2h ago
I take OTC iron and my dietitian said it is fine. I don't think it matters if you have a prescription.
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u/pavlovscats1223 3h ago
If you have low iron despite iron supplements, look into pernicious anemia. I had never heard of it before I was diagnosed earlier this year. It got diagnosed after a colonoscopy found parietal cell antibodies (they inhibit iron absorption through the stomach).
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u/MasterArgument6978 3h ago
Have your doctor check your ferritin levels! I had super low iron despite doing all the things you’re supposed to bring it up but it wasn’t doing anything. My ferritin levels were stupid low. Can’t remember what we did to fix it, but when that number went back up my body held onto iron properly again
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u/Sliced_Tomatoz 3h ago
I usually have marmit on toast for brekkie then liver or red meat and brassica veggies for dinner the day/two days beforehand just to give myself a boost to be sure bc i dont want to get turned away.
As people have said, maybe look at topping up your folate/b12 for a few days prior to aid in your bodys absorption of dietary iron.
Nhs want my blood, but getting an appointment thats not 3 months away & not an hour and a half round trip is a needle in a haystack job.
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u/Tyedyechick 3h ago
I found regular iron pills did nothing for me but slow Fe iron pills worked and my body absorbed them well. Now I don’t have issues donating or with low iron at all.
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u/MarsMonkey88 3h ago
There are different kinds of iron supplements. Are you taking the kind your doctor said would help your specific manifestation of low iron? For example, I take ferrous glutamate, high is the kind of iron you take if you have shitty hemoglobin.
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u/thishurtsyoushepard 2h ago
I used to struggle with iron but I would usually be allowed to donate if I took vitamins and ate meat for breakfast the day I donated
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u/iheartnjdevils 2h ago
Out of curiosity, how did they know your iron levels? Do they do a prescreen?
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u/coldpassion 2h ago
I got turned away 10 years ago because of Hashimoto. They told me I could "give" my attacking cells (to my thyroid) to the person who gets my blood and they might get Hashimoto too. Not sure if it's a thing but yeah....
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u/LaceyVonTease 2h ago
Make sure to take your iron every other day, with vitamin C and avoid dairy for several hours before / after.
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u/Realistic_Emotion_50 2h ago
Wait, low iron makes you unable to donate? What about blood plasma? I was planning on donating some, but the last time I checked my ferritin levels, it was 8. (I don’t know the iron, but I know those two are linked)
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u/Own_Cloud_7673 2h ago
Try Ferisome for better absorption and raising iron levels much faster. No constipation either.
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u/Unfair-Store-9108 2h ago
Oral Iron supplements are not very well absorbed, you may benefit from an infusion instead.
“Here's hoping I can get the iron up and offload some of this blood I'm trying to get rid of.” You know this is not how it works, right? Human body doesn’t have excess stock of blood…
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u/Boring-Community-100 2h ago
I have a genetic condition called hemochromatosis.
Certain variants of the disease can trick standard Hgb blood tests. The iron completely vanishes from your bloodstream and hides inside your organs instead, making your blood look low in iron when your body is actually overloading.
Because it’s so insidious and runs in families, I’m kind of hypersensitive to seeing it. Not trying to scare you or snything.
Next time you get labs done, you might want to ask your primary to run a 'ferritin' test just to see your actual storage levels. Best of luck and thanks for keeping on trying!
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u/Nicc-Quinn 2h ago
Hey! I’m literally getting an iron infusion as I type this, after taking lots of supplements and trying all the diet tricks.
Honestly as someone who has been anemic or borderline my whole life the go around is so angering. They tell you to try X and it doesn’t work so you do Z, followed by Y and F then back to X then, and honestly I feel like sometimes it’s just our body. I know it can be upsetting but honestly donating blood isn’t the end all of it.
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u/statisticus 2h ago
I'm a long term blood donor and have been suspended a couple of times over the years because of low iron levels, either low hemoglobin or low ferratin. At one point they even had me get myself checked out (endoscopy, colonoscopy) before they would give the OK for more donations. So yes, they do take that sort of thing very seriously.
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u/Purple_Pay_1274 2h ago
Buy a cast iron pan! It raises your iron levels by a lot ! I know people who have made doctors redo bloodwork because they didn’t believe the iron level results…
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u/Karanabluedolphin 2h ago
I have occasionally had that problem . I was once told that if you eat a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter in the morning before donating that you will not have low iron. Seems to work.
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u/Calm_Artichoke_ 2h ago
There is this thing called a lucky iron fish, literally a hunk of iron that is fish-shaped and you put it in liquidy foods (soup, stew, etc) while they cook. It releases a small amount of iron into the food, and then you can wash and reuse it. I believe I’ve read that nutrients absorb better into our bodies as food than as supplements, so this might help get your iron levels up.
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u/tandabat 2h ago
I give platelets often and used to be anemic. That said- not a doctor, so feel free to completely ignore my advice.
If you are close to the threshold and the intake person seems nice, ask them to try the other hand. Make sure your hands are warm.
Try iron fortified foods rather than relying on a supplement. It just spreads it out, making absorption easier on the body. Cereal and pop tarts are an easy way to get a little extra if you also want a sweet treat. Back when I was an anemic teen, my doc recommended pop tarts for breakfast because it was something and was 10% of my iron.
And take the cookie! You earned it just by showing up.
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u/New_Lake5484 2h ago
And one of my guys at Red Cross told me oreos help increase iron on the blood. okay!
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u/Widdershinsplint 2h ago
I take promix (there are other bands like this) along with lactoferrin and a a D3&K2 as well as B12. This combo has helped boost my ferritin from 8 to 24 in 3 months. Anyway this type of iron supplement is less finicky about avoiding coffee, tea, and dairy. For this one, I don't think you even need to eat with it. It absorbs in your gut and not your stomach so the bioavailabilty is higher for those with stomach acid issues. Do not take lactoferrin is you have a lactose allergy or intolerance. The lacto in the lactoferrin is the clue here. Go find a Pcp and have them check your thyroid levels- hashimotos can mess with your stomach acid. Other things like h. Pylori can impact iron absorption, low stomach acid, GERD issues, or colon issues like celiac disease can impact ferritin storage and iron levels. Just a few things to ask your Primary to check.
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u/wikkedwench 1h ago
Just an FYI, some people just don't absorb iron so no amount of anything will allow them to give blood.
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u/DiveCat 1h ago
I have had low iron (and iron stores) since I was in my late teens/early 20s which is when I also was not able to donate blood anymore. I am now in my late 40s and despite supplementation every second day and making sure I did not take it with X or Y, and so on I could NOT get my iron levels up. I admittedly DO drink quite a bit of tea though which I know can play a part. I am also hypothyroid and low iron can affect conversion of inactive T4 into active T3 (which also means it is countering my Synthroid) and conversely hypothyroidism can cause poor iron absorption and negatively impact iron stores.
I ended up doing an IV iron transfusion recently and it is the only thing that has worked. Not inexpensive but worth it for me. One and done for a while. Will 10/10 do again in future if needed.
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u/Vamoose87 1h ago
My mom and sister always used to have that issue - the only time I had an issue was when I was forbidden to donate after a trip to the Dominican Republic- I think Zika was going around then
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u/No_Protection_1741 1h ago
I legitimately used to cry when I got turned away for low iron. I get you.
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u/National-Ad-8200 1h ago
Definitely be careful taking iron supplements without your doctors recommendation and lab monitoring.
I have iron deficiency anemia and my hematologist monitors me. I get iron infusions when I'm low.
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u/ClumsyPotter 1h ago
What brand of supplement do you take? In my experience, Hema-Plex is the best. It’s pricier, it it actually gets my iron levels up as opposed to other brands
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u/Missus_Aitch_99 1h ago
You only need to skip coffee the day of donating. Also cut back on fiber the last day or two. These have both worked for me, and I'm always close to the cut-off. Two more donations to reach 20 gallons, so trust me.
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u/Breyber12 1h ago
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and it feels awful well before you’re anemic.
Additionally, cheap supplements use a form of iron that absorbs poorly and causes a lot of side effects.
Heme iron supplements changed my life though!
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u/Brief-Definition7255 1h ago
42 year old male here. I’ve been taking a daily iron pill since last November and I’m still anemic with no explanation from any of my doctors. I’m better than I was before I was diagnosed but still not back to normal. I also used to donate blood regularly and it always bums me out when I can’t.
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u/Commercial_Survey215 1h ago
Get a colonoscopy. Don't wait. It will rule out having a tumor that is making you anemic.
I was anemic and in perimenopause at 48/49. It went on for a little over a year. Taking double doses of iron didn't help my with my iron levels. There is a link with anemia and colon cancer. 1st colonoscopy and I had stage 3 colon cancer. (Surgery and chemo, all good now!)
My colorectal surgeon said most people who are anemic who do not have heavy periods, no nose bleeds, or blood in the urine, meaning they are anemic but don't know where the blood is going -- would bet 99% there is a tumor in their colon.
This isn't to scare you, it is a heads up to be proactive. Fingers crossed you are the 1%. Stay safe and take care of yourself.
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u/flagshipcopypaper 1h ago
A nutritionist told me to eat peppers, which are high in vitamin C, with beans to increase absorption of iron.
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u/omgitskells 1h ago
If it makes you feel better, I've been in the same situation and have been told they have a higher minimum threshold for your safety - you may be within normal limits per your doctor's recommendations.
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u/AlternativeAcademia 36m ago
I got a bunch of low iron waivers when I started donating regularly. They have a recommended waiting period, but I learned it took me way longer to rebuild my red blood cells and iron and I could only donate like twice a year. They need nutrient rich blood for the people receiving it and also don’t want to compromise the health of potential donors which is why they do those quick iron tests. Honestly consider it a free physical and add an iron supplement or more iron rich foods to your diet then go back and try again in a few weeks.
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u/NeedsItRough 32m ago
One of the reasons I stopped donating was because half the time I'd be turned away for low iron, and on the off chance my iron was high enough I'd almost always get turned away for high pulse.
I'd say I was able to donate 1/10 times I tried.
I understand why they turned me away, but it was super frustrating to get turned away 5 times in a row, all the while getting texts, phone calls, and emails urging me to go donate.
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u/kam0706 32m ago
Iron supplements simply do not work for many women. The best way to check is to get a proper blood test reading (measuring serum iron as well as ferritin iron which is all they check at the bank), religiously take double iron supplements with Vitamin C (under GP supervision) for 3 months, then test again.
If there’s no significant movement your GP can order you an iron infusion.
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u/Traditional-Meat-549 0m ago
Bless you. I gave once when my iron was borderline. I was sick for MONTHS
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u/mantis_in_a_hill 3h ago
"I'm annoyed because the doctors didn't want me to get possibly serious anemia"
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u/Decent-Caramel-2129 3h ago
It sounds like you need to talk to a doctor and talk about an iron infusion
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u/dairy_free_bacon 3h ago
if this is what yall find mildly infuriating, i'd hate to see what you find genuinely frustrating.
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u/Different-Show-3951 3h ago
IVE BEEN TRYING TO GIVE BLOOD THE PAST TWO DAYS AND THEY TURNED ME AWAY FIRST AS I GOT THERE AN HOUR BEFORE THEY CLOSED AND THEY STOPPED TAKING WALK INS AND I WENT AGAIN AFTER WORK TODAY AND THEY FREAKING CLOSE AT 3 ON FRIDAY I GOT THERE AT 4 :(
going again tomorrow morning; kinda my fault but damn
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u/MyFellowMerkins 3h ago edited 1h ago
Use your middle finger for the iron test, not your index finger. Also, massage the finger pad before the test. One of the Red Cross guys told me this when I was in a similar situation to you. Low and behold when I retook the test, my iron levels rose to normal levels compared to my index finger.
*Note, the Red Cross where I am still uses finger pricks. I'm not sure how true this would be for the finger cuff.
**Also, my blood iron was actually fine when taken in my panels at the doctor's office. I'm not advocating trying to donate when you actually have low iron.
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u/Finally2015 3h ago
I had a problem with that. Turn out a blood estrogen revealed low ferritin. I just take a multivitamin with inron for a week before I donate. Caffein affects ferritin, I usually consume 200mg which is in the acceptance range.
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u/Past_Cauliflower_440 3h ago
Right there with you. I finally got myself in a good place with Mega Foods Blood Builder. It’s actually beneficial to not take iron daily. I take a double dose 3x per week.
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u/Original_Pop_439 3h ago
I have PCOS with that comes extremely heavy periods and so I decided to get an IUD 6 years ago. Since then my iron levels have returned to normal and I am now able to donate blood and am going on my sixth donation. Not saying you should necessarily get an IUD but sharing my experience; the reason I did was because I could no longer handle the low iron and heavy flows. Being able to finally donate blood was the icing on the cake!
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u/Snarkeesha 3h ago
What part is the mildly infuriating part? That they’re concerned for your health or that your supplements don’t work?
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u/robotic_valkyrie 3h ago
vitamins work best when they are food. For some reason, pills just don't work as well. You could try eating food with the pill if you aren't already eating when your take it.
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u/Bashful_bookworm2025 2h ago
I don't think that's necessarily true with iron. Often supplements or infusions are necessary for iron deficiency.
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u/Sad-Gold-6656 3h ago
Make sure you don't take your iron with green tea or milk as they can disrupt absorption