Anemia

[The Duchess]

About 10 days ago I was diagnosed with severe Anemia. The doctor was so shocked at my blood levels she said she didn't know how I was functioning and said my body must've somehow compensated. She said if my blood levels were that low due to trauma I would not be able to get out of bed.

Needless to say this explains a lot! I have been taking iron supplements since the diagnosis. The doctor also put me on the pill because she said I could not afford to lose any more blood so prevented my period which was due about now. I was finally able to rest up for a week as we cancelled our family vacation and my husband cared for the kids while feeding me a diet uber-rich in iron. I think I may have been this way since my youngest child was born 4 years ago. (I also have a 9 yr old and 7 yr old). I miscarried about 18 months ago and since then my periods have been very short and intense with major blood loss. Don't even ask me why I didn't see a doctor earlier, I don't know! But probably I was just too darn tired! I have an ultrasound in about 10 days.

In the meantime I am concerned about my kids. I found out recently some family medical history that I didn't know about and blood disorders of various types are very prevalent on my maternal side. My middle daughter has already had chemotherapy as a baby for a very serious and unusual blood disease (called Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis: LCH) http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerin...iocytosis.aspx

Although all three of them are very bright and full of life (I am still BFing my youngest) they all have shadows under their eyes and I detect a pallor. My husband just thinks the shadows are hereditary as his family have them. I however would like to get some bloodwork done. I understand that this forum is not for diagnosis but I would be interested in your opinions on what I should be aware of and thinking about when it comes to healthy blood in children. Do you have any thoughts or advice?

[Panserbjorne]

I would certainly be looking at celiac disease immediately, if not sooner. I hope you get some answers quickly and hope you feel better soon!

[The Duchess]

Thanks for the suggestion but neither me or my children have any gut problems of any kind. I think the anemia is related to straightforward blood loss. Also all our children are tall for their age with a ton of energy and a healthy diet.

[Panserbjorne]

It doesn't always look like you'd think. It's not at all uncommon to have the first sign be anemia. In fact, many doctors suggest ruling it out when you have iron levels that are that low. But, that's just my two cents.

The shadows you mention are most often a result of mineral deficiency and or sluggish liver. That generally happens when there are gut problems like a food intolerance-they don't always show up as frank "gut" problems. They can also be neurological with no gut symptoms whatsoever.

Another reason it jumped out is that a recent study showed that women with CD are also at a higher risk for miscarriages followed by excessive blood loss. Clearly there are several reasons that can happen, but since you included it in your post my mind wandered there.

And unfortunately a "healthy" diet is a very relative term...if you have celiac disease then "healthy" whole wheat bread is a death sentence. I'm certainly not saying that's what it is. But it's my first thought. If you are getting bloodwork done, it certainly doesn't hurt to rule it out. Best of luck.

[JessicaS]

Absolutely, I would get bloodwork.

My older sister and I have had situations like you are describing, extreme anemia, shocked Dr, nothing came of it.

Twenty years later my son was born with a heart defect so he did go through extensive testing. He has von Willebrand and the rest of us probaly do as well.

No one ever even looked until my son.

I do NOT have celiacs. I have had the most definitive testing for it.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by abimommy

I do NOT have celiacs. I have had the most definitive testing for it.

let's just be clear that it's not the only thing that it could be, nor did I say it was. it's the first that popped into my head with everything that was listed. if ruled out, excellent. but it's something to consider in the absence of other answers, or as you are looking for more.

[JessicaS]

I was just giving my experience.

I have had similar experiences to the OP and my Drs did test me for celiacs. I don't think that a celiacs test would be worthless but I would get a blood work regardless of celiacs results. One positive result doesn't rule other things out IME

[Panserbjorne]

No, I'm in agreement on that. I'd look for as many things as possible. Even if the celiac screen were positive a whole host of things can coexist with it-as is the case with any condition. When it gets to a measurable level generally other things have been affected.

[The Duchess]

Thank you for all your feedback, please keep it coming because I definitely find it helpful. Panserbjørne I think you are on to something with diet because sometimes doctors have thought the kids had allergies that were causing the shadows (but apparently not enough of a concern to warrant follow-up).

As for Neurological issues, never say never but I would say highly unlikely as my DH is a Neurologist and I believe he would pick anything up with Neuro indications.

We currently are living in Germany where natural medicines and alternative cures and remedies have great weight. Our pediatrician is a qualified MD and also is a Naturopath (or similar). We see him tomorrow about something unrelated and I want to talk about all the kids and see if we can do some detective work. My eldest child particularly is prone to dark under eyes and of her own volition stays away from dairy (but of course could still be getting it hidden in other foods) but I have never had her tested for any allergies.

[pianojazzgirl]

Another thought along the "poor absorption" line of thinking (food intolerances, etc), is possible low stomach acid.

A couple of threads that might interest you (there is probably a lot more good info around here, but my toddler is paging me!):

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ht=betaine+hcl

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ht=betaine+hcl

[The Duchess]

Saw the Pediatrician today and he felt we should investigate more regarding bloodwork on the kids. However first he wants to wait and see what my diagnosis is. My ultrasound is on the 23rd. He also gave me a referral to the local children's hospital at the University for the Hematology-Oncology team to follow-up on my middle daughter. She is in apparent good health right now and her disease usually does not reoccur in about 90% of cases but there can be late-onset side-effects of the disease and of course the chemo.

On a separate issue, I have never used artificial birth control and only taken the pill to deal with some endometriosis when I was single in my mid-20s. What are the kind of side-affects I should watch for and is it OK to continue breastfeeding? I didn't mention it to the OB/GYN doctor as I didn't want a tongue-lashing that i am BFing my 4 yr yr old. He is only nursing once a day for literally seconds and I gradually plan on weaning him completely during the summer. I didn't go cold turkey as I was hoping to avoid stretch marks. Actually the only side effect from the pill I have noticed so far is my boobs have filled out and are much firmer, like in early pregnancy.