iron issues and anxiety

[mysticmomma]

As time goes by, I've been feeling worse and worse. I went for a check up for
the first time in a long time, and my iron was a 3. Optimal is something like
70, even though lab ranges usually say as low as 10 is "normal." They were
amazed I could even sit up. I've been down this road before, and I know it takes a long time for my level to come back up. In the mean time, I am having daily panic attacks. I can identify some triggers, but other times, there is none. I have an appointment Wed to speak specifically about this anxiety that is nearly debilitating. My heart either feels like it is stopping or going to pound out of my chest. I feel lightheaded despite breathing normally, and sometimes see spots. I am irritable and bitchy and mean to my kids. I do all the natural things you can do. Soothing teas, warm bath, stretching, valerian, etc. I am afraid that this doc is not going to want to prescribe me something while we wait for these levels to come up. I need something fast acting like xanax. I'm especially afraid of Evan's birthday party coming up on Saturday. We were at a friends party on Saturday, and I had to leave. I found a codeine in the car from who knows when, and after about thirty minutes I felt somewhat better. I could go back into the party. I can't imagine having to leave my kids party! Thinking about that is giving me even more anxiety. Any suggestions? On getting the iron up? feeling better fast? I'm taking floradix twice a day, and I guess going to start eating more red meat. Cutting out dairy and upping vitamin c...

Trisha

now that I look at my lab spreadsheet, I can see that after a year of supplementing (I've been off floradix for 3 mos though), my level has actually dropped 3 points.

[kjbrown92]

Have you looked at a Mg deficiency? Supplementing Mg really helped with my anxiety (my iron is fine though).

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

Have you looked at a Mg deficiency? Supplementing Mg really helped with my anxiety (my iron is fine though).

I was going to suggest this also, as magnesium levels definitely affect heart rhythm.

[mysticmomma]

one mineral at a time!

[Starflower]

Iron deficiency can cause heart palpitations. I have had this and I have anxiety tendencies (with panic attacks). My ND has had me on iron and cal/mag supplement at same time, but I stagger my doses or they bind up and kind of cancel each other out.

I also found that when I had low iron that my I had fuzzy thinking. Very frustrating and didn't help with me not feeling half crazy.

As for Xanax, I used to take Xanax as needed for anxiety and it did help. Unless the doctor thinks it could cause a problem with the iron deficiency I think it would be helpful.

The other thing I've found that's helpful is the stuff in Boiron's homeopathic Stress Kit. There are three homeopathics in there for three variations of stress/anxiety. I think they help me.

I would get some homeopathic stuff right away, continue with the iron and ask the doc about the Xanax for short term use. And if you like pumpkin seeds (pepitas) they make a handy iron-rich snack to carry around.

I am currently dealing with some of the same stuff though my iron has not gotten terrible again yet. I'm supplementing again and eating a lot of iron-rich foods. But I have been air-headed and impatient with a lot of anxiety. I think the low iron makes it worse.

I hope things get better for you soon. Good luck.

[catinthehat]

So does being low on iron mean you are blood deficient? I would think so. Some good blood building foods are beets, greens, chlorella, berries(esp. blackberries and raspberries), blackstrap molasses(1 TB a day), nettle tea, and beef bone soups like french onion(just made with real beef bone stock).
I would recommend perhaps seeing an herbalist or an accupuncturist who prescribes herbs. Their are many chinese fromulas to treat deficient blood. They could also help with the anxiety. Best to you

[mysticmomma]

no, not blood deficient. I actually have high rbc and platelets and normal wbc.