Low Iron level

[Dazed1]

I thought I posted this earlier today but I can't find it. I tried to give blood today and for the first time ever I was rejected because of low Iron level. This is day 10 of Atkins for me and I am being very strict and have averaged about 1300 calories and around 10 grams of carbs and I have lost around 10 lbs so far. A quick check tells me that I am consuming about twice as many protien grams as fat grams. I have felt a bit fatigued since starting the diet and wonder if anyone has experience with the Iron level issue. The diet is going great and I know I can't maintain my current rate of reduction.

[Lisa N]

What types of protein are you eating? Some contain more iron than others. Generally, getting enough natural sources of iron from protein and some veggies should be enough to prevent anemia and 10 days on induction wouldn't be enough to make most people anemic. In fact, Dr. Atkins specifically states in his book to make sure your multivitamin doesn't contain extra iron so that those following his plan don't wind up with too much.
You might want to check with your doctor, though, if you didn't get blood work done before starting as Dr. Atkins advised just to make sure that everything is okay. That way, you'll also have a good baseline to compare against later. :idea: :)

[CindySue48]

When you go to doc ask also for ferritin levels. It's apparently the only way to diagnose "true" anemia.

If you are low and need to increase your iron, try cooking in cast iron pans and pots. The iron leaches out during cooking. Not sure if it would be enough, but it's supposed to work well.

I've been donating every 2 months for almost a year. I've not had any trouble, but I've always been a bit on the high side for bloood counts (Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, etc).

[kebaldwin]

This is day 10 of Atkins for me

Your body freaks out during the first 7/10/14 days -- so anything is possible at this point. Stick with it and then have a checkup at 2 months.

However, I like the other advice above -- so pay attention to what they say.

BTW, some general measures used in blood tests are abnormal for people on high protein diet. I am NOT saying that iron is one of them -- but for example some measures of kidney / liver problems measure how much protein is in your blood. Since you are eating a lot more protein -- your levels of protein in your blood are much higher than most other people. So your doctors will get all excited because you have high protein in your blood, run more tests, and then be stupified because the additional tests come out normal. You can tell them 100 times that you are on a high protein diet and it will not make sense to them.

[Ultralight]

Just wanted to add my two cents...I too went once to give blood (I was not on LC at the time) and they refused me for low iron, I went crazy thinking I was some how defective, or sick. So I did some research at my doctors office.
Here is what I found out.
The standard for giving blood is very high, they will reject anyone at the drop of hat.
Iron, & hemaglobin have to be almost above avg. by their standards to give. So although you may have been a little off, it's prob not enough to be a concern. every lab, doc's office, hospital sets their own value. At my doc's office hemaglobin is great around 15, at the hospital, that's considered a little low. The only way of truly finding out, if your doing ok, is going to the doc. But like the LC'ers said, it may be diet related right now. Good luck, hope this helps.


To Kebaldwin: I love that quote
"If health care costs are soaring and type 2 diabetes, and it complications, are most of these expenses -- why are we not putting a "sin" tax on high glycemic foods to cut consumption and help pay for these costs?"

[Aetheana]

I have two things.

First, twice as many protein grams as fat grams doesn't sound Atkinsy to me. A lot of people here have posted that Atkins isn't high PROTEIN but rather high FAT. You might want to check with someone who has actually read the atkins book as i have not. But you're losing all right so we'll skip that part.

Second, I also was rejected when I went to give blood due to low iron. Yes it is true that the standards to give blood are higher than what a doctor would say is truly anemic, but low iron is no joke. after that happened to me, even though i was eating iron containing foods AND taking a multi-vitamin WITH iron, i went to a different doc who said my iron STORES were low. I've been supplementing, on her orders with two iron pills a day. BUT, the key also is that low vitamin D and low iron stores are related. she also checked my vitamin D and i was low there too, so i've been supplementing with vitamin D as well (high doses, 8000 IU).

If i were you i'd go to my doc and get a check, especially if you feel you've been eating iron containing foods (red meat, spinach) and continue to feel fatigue. its way better to nip things in the bud and not wait until the fatigue is overwhelming. ask for iron levels or iron stores (dont remember which) and a vitamin D test. (or talk to zuleika on here. shes great. :) )

Life doesn't have to be a chore!!

[Nancy LC]

Iron deficiency can point to a number of medical problems. Probably best to get checked out by a doctor.

[Ginga]

Also, make sure you are getting enough Vitamin c. If you're not getting enough C you won't absorb the iron.

[Dazed1]

I do have regular checkups, as a matter of fact I was at the doctors 2 weeks ago. I have started iron tablets until my next blood check in 12 weeks, which is part of a health incentive with my employer. I have read Atkins but it was some time ago and I lost my book. I seem to migrate towards the high protein foods so I must try to include more fat. The blood test in 12 weeks should tell a lot.