When Andy had his appointment with the Sleep Center on December 7th, they had him get a test for iron levels in his blood. That’s one of the first things they look for with Restless Leg Syndrome. He didn’t think that could be the problem because he donates blood three times a year, and each time the blood service has said his iron level is fine.
So it was a big surprise when the new test said his iron level was significantly lower than the minimum healthy range. If that were the cause of his problems it would be an easy fix, but we’re not rejoicing yet. He has an appointment with our regular doctor tomorrow, and we’re curious to see what she says.
December 19, 2013
Weird
Agreed. We’re still shaking our heads about it.
I am surprised that Andy is allowed to donate blood. Over here, senior citizens are not allowed to. http://www.bloodbankindia.net/blood_tips.php
If iron deficiency is all the matter, a great natural supplement is beetroot. Lots of it. Urmeela had the problem for a while and tonics in medicine form did not agree with her, but beetroot daily in various forms, like juice, boiled in salads, dry curry etc, did the trick for her. http://www.archanaskitchen.com/indian-recipes/vegetables-dry/30-beetroot-curry
Pull down the lower eyelid. Should be bright pink tissue. Shouldn’t have white centers on the fingernails. These indicate anemia.
I haven’t been eating meat. I’m “slightly anemic”. Looked up beetroot. Just eat lots of beets. I take an Fe pill. Just a little nibble of one. Take with vitamin C & it works best.
Andy is not only allowed to give blood, last time they talked him into giving a double red blood cell donation. They take out two units of blood while you’re hooked up to a machine, they they return your plasma and platelets. Andy felt cold and sick afterwards, so he isn’t going to do that again!
Thanks, BHB. I do have the white in my fingernails so bought some Fe pills. I tried cutting on into quarters, but it was too strong. So I whopped it and broke off a small piece. What a hoot. 🙂
That’s certainly is weird, but I guess the blood test via the blood service could be different – or they are not looking at it in the same way…
I certainly am in “unexpected mode” myself with the recent turn of medical events. I probably will post on my blog in the weekend what is happening. But right now I am both angry and sad AND mystified as to why a doctor in the past got things SO WRONG…
I’m not on deaths’ door and because I have such a caring new doctor keeping tabs, things will be okay. Just vastly different – might even be indirectly betterer!
Good luck! I’m looking forward to your post and am wishing you the best.
Also, the blood test they do when he donates is a much simpler one. They take a drop of blood and drop it into a vial with liquid. If it sinks then they say he has enough iron.
I just looked into it. They don’t check the iron in donors’ blood, they check hemoglobin:
That explains a lot.