Lack of Iron-Impact on the body?

H

Howldaloom

New member
When i was a teenager i had a case of worms for nearly a year.

I took everything under the sun to get rid of them. Taking around 20 doses of strong wormer to get rid of them.

The discomfort was HORRIFIC to say the least. To the point where *STOP READING IF YOUR SCREAMISH!* i would try to pull them out manually to stop it.

I didnt no i had worms till i managed to pull on out and it looked like a fat maggot. Not particualy long.

Anyway since then i have suffered from lack of iron to the point of Anemia.
I went to the doctors several times with constipation. They told me to eat more fibre etc. Gave me every laxitive going and suposatorys to try.

ALL MADE ME WORSE NOT BETTER! i went nearly a month without going.

Anyway its around 3 years later and my weight has gone up like a stone and a half and continuing to put weight on.

Im relying on Iron pills to help me go to the loo. *Within 20 minutes im running to the bathroom to go* Usually anyway.

Anyway im wondering weather My green tongue/bad breath is linked to this?
Plus this past year i have really felt the cold.

I have been on a diet to try loose weight and and also doing like 6 hours excercise a week now.

Anyway surely you get fitter whilst doing more? The longer i walk the more pain im in with my legs ESPECIALLY uphill or walking fast. My legs cramp up to the point i cant take another step.

But i have been walking for a while and have seen no improovement in my fitness. Im still panting after running upstairs!

What impacts does Lack of iron have on the body and how can i tackle this to loose weight and improove my health?

Im around 5 days late every period and i am only on lightly for 2-3 days if that. No sex drive. No energy. no fitness and my weight is climbing every month.

Tested for diabetes, thyrod, siliva ph etc Siliva ph was 6.5 and urine ph is 6.0
 
First and foremost you need to take Amy's advice to heart and go see a doctor; you have a lot of potentially dangerous warning signs right now. It also seems like the problem could be related to overall nutrition; if you are not already it would be a good idea to start a food log and after you have a week or two of eating habits logged consult with a registered dietitian. We can give some general guidance for nutrition here but with the difficulties you are exhibiting you definitely need to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, may be worthwhile to see two so you can get a second opinion.

***Just a friendly reminder, we cannot diagnose a problem through the forums, and one involving a deficiency of vitamins or minerals will require testing such as urine or blood tests, PLEASE consult a doctor or registered dietician ASAP***
That said, on to your question; the role of iron.
Functions: Aids in the formation of compounds essential for transporting and utilizing oxygen, works with protein to form hemoglobin (carries oxygen from the lungs to cells and tissue); has a role in healthy immune function, brain development, and energy production by proxy through its inclusion in numerous enzymes (Fink, et al., 2009).

Iron deficiency: Extremely common, especially in female athletes. Decreased physical performance, cold intolerance, low energy levels, decreased performance, exercise intolerance, and a pale and "sickly" look (Fink, et al., 2009).

Iron toxicity: Upper Limit of iron is set at 45mg per day, unless your doctor told you to exceed this be careful with the iron supplement. Signs include "nausea, vomiting, diahhrea, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness", toxicity can lead to death rapidly (Fink, et al., 2009). Can decrease the absorption of other nutrients, damage the liver, can lead to atherosclerosis, and has been linked to colon cancer and heart disease (Fink, et al., 2009).

Source
Fink, Heather Hedrick, Lisa A. Burgoon, and Alan E. Mikesky. Practical applications in sports nutrition. 2nd ed. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009. Print.

Do NOT try to self-diagnose. I hope you see your doctor soon and get this issue resolved, in the mean time take it easy on the exercise and focus on watching your nutrition, all the foods and drinks you are putting into your body will have a major impact on a lot of the complications you listed; for example low glycogen store due to a possible lack of carbohydrates could be a cause for a lot of what you listed.
 
You know how, i don't get it. You have posted elsewhere but not really told the whole story. This is probably also not the whole story. We've told you to go back to the doctors. What's preventing you. We don't have the answers for you. We are not doctors. Your situation is complicated and you need medical attention.

Which country do you live in?

I am surprised it took a year to be cured of worms. Did you get the worm tablets from a doctor or did you buy them off the chemists shelf. They should have done tests so you could take the right sort of medication to kill the worms quickly.

Until you can get your internal health correct, i even wonder if you should be on this forum trying to do weight loss.

By all means, stick around but don't keep asking us for medical help when you need to be seeing a doctor and working closely with them to get better.

Taking iron tablets merely to make your bowels work doesn't sound like a good solution at all.

That said, we can help you sort out your diet on the basis of eating normal food in a healthy balanced manner.

Start your diary. Write down everything you eat, including the quantity.

IF exercise hurts, deal with it at the doctors and only exercise according to the doctors advice.

If you persist in refusing to visit and work with a doctor, i fear your health will seriously worsen over time. And then what would be the value of a slim figure.
 
I thought the first post wasnt very clear so i Made another thread instead, making it clearer what my problems are.

I think my problems are now related to my weight gain, which i didnt before.

Plus it took my a year to realise i had worms rofl and i didnt go doctors where i used to live because they HATED me. they made me feel small and stupid everytime i went. so i didnt go. And its not just me its like that for my family.

I bought ovex over the counter to combat the worms. P.S I live in the uk.

I will have to make a docs appointment after the weekend but they are very busy so it will be like 2 week wait.

My house mate suffers from cluster headaches *one of the most painful conditions known to man* and he was suffering without med help for 2 weeks becuase the doctors were so busy.

Not making excuses as i will go
 
Your flatmate should go to the emergency dpt of the hospital or at least a pharmacy if he is suffering that badly.

Thanks for the explanation. Your symptoms might be related but i am not sure they are caused by your weight gain. YOu said you were feeling the cold a lot this last year. Extra cold is a symptom of thyroid disorder. So is constipation. So your weight gain could be a symptom.

But these iron tablets are still not a good solution.

For constipation, buy some psyllium fibre from the supermarket. Its the same thing as metamucil which you may have heard of buts its cheaper sold this way. Take about a dessertspoonful every day. It has no taste but it goes a horrible gelly so what i do is put it in a cup of water and swallow the whole lot down asap. Some people put it on their cereal or mix it with orange juice. I think that ruins your food. Anyway, this psyllium fibre has no calories but is pure good fibre. Don't take more than this. If i take 2 spoons in a day i get an upset stomach. Its not serious but i'd rather avoid it. Even if you still don't go to the loo as often as you should, the stool will be soft and therefore easier to pass.

I have hypothyroidism too - the thyroid disorder that could be an issue with you. Its easily treated but most people must take the hormone replacements for life. Its very safe. I am not saying for sure this is what is wrong with you but you must describe all your symptoms carefully to your doctor. It would be a good idea to make a double appointment as well if you are allowed to do that over there. We can do that here. It gives the doctor more time to go through it all properly with you.

Why did the doctors not like you do you think? Why are they like that with your family as well? Anyway, if you give them a fair go, listen to them, try to follow their advice, ask sensible questions, give them all the info they ask for and tell them what they need to know even if they don't ask for it, you shouldn't have any trouble. Its best not to get into arguements with them. They have sensitive egos. And they don't like to waste time.

The main thing is to tell them all your symptoms, your past medical history what you did to solve it, your current concerns and ask for help with your weight loss goals. Unless you are suffering some difficult symptom you should be able to wait. But i often find it helpful to talk to pharmacists if i want a little bit of advice that i am not sure if i need to see a doctor for if its after hours or something like that. Also here in Australia we have some medical advice you can get by phone. Do you have any service like that with the NHS?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top