Iron deficiant anemia and weight loss

I'm not sure about this, but I'd like to know the answer. I was a Vegetarian for four years and part of the reason why I went back to eating white meats was because I had become severely anemic. I think when I went to give blood my iron level was 9.4 and it at least has to be 12.something, and that's even low.

I'll be checking back with this thread to see what people have to say!

I've been anemic for years but haven't really noticed a difference... I steadily gain weight if I'm not paying attention to what I'm eating but I never figured there was a relationship between the two, it's just my poor eating habits. I do notice, though, that I get tired more easily if my iron levels are down, so that could put a damper on exercise if you let it get out of control.

I've read that anemia coinsides with weight LOSS when it affects the appetite and that weight gain really only occurs if fatigue is a factor making your activity level decline.

Oh yes, I've got anemia too... It's tough, but it's dooable. I weighed 9stone until I hit my twenties, then I balanced out at 10stone... and then I met my fiancé and put another 2 stone on. But it is dooable, it's just hard work.

In THEORY anemia co-incides with weight loss...Mostly it's weight gain. The weight loss is ridiculous because most long term anemics know to push themselves when they don't feel hungry or they'll only feel worse for not eating. It's a lot harder to push yourself to excercise when your iron count is low because you're too tired to. And while you can eat when you're not hungry, you can't excercise when you've got no energy...

I was severley anemic for a year (or even longer, don't know how long it has already been going on) and had no problems with weight loss. (but there were times when I had huge chocolate cravings, and I ate less meat!)
I took iron supplements (prescribed by my doctor) for a few months, and now my iron level is near to normal and my cravings are nearly gone. I eat a lot of oat, salmon and meat to maintain my level.

I have been severely anemic since 2008(?). What ever year the Dark Knight came out. I was in the theater watching it when I passed out. My iron level had dropped from 15 to 9 in less than 3 months. I had to take iv iron treatments once a week for 2 years. It has been 6 months since I had a treatment but my iron level is right on the border line. I have had trouble losing. I was just telling someone that I lost 30 lbs but for 3 yrs now not a single pound has come off. My iron fluctuates and I have days where I can barely make it out of bed... today is one of those days. I need to get back on my regimen... 2 TBS of molasses, 3000mg corral calcium, cats claw,2 TBS flax oil, 5000 iu Vitamin D3 daily and 50,000iu Vitamin D once a week. I eat quinoa, dark green veggies and beans also potassium rich foods. t. I was given this regimen from a Native American friend. She is 98 yrs old and gets around like a 50 yr old! The Vitamin D was prescribed by my doctor because my level is extremely low. My body does not absorb nutrients for some reason... I think it's the weight, but my doc says not all of it. When I stick to this regimen my levels stay fairly normal except for the vitamin D. But back to the weight loss... you can get iron without fat. Remember the darker the color of the vegetable the more nutrients it has. Try to eat dark colored beans... black beans, kidney, and pintos. Quinoa is loaded with iron and is easy to prepare. I love to do quinoa with black beans and salsa.. It's different, but it's not bad. I snack on nuts... almonds, sunflower seeds and dried apricots. I eat sweet potatoes and purple potatoes. Again, the darker the color the more nutrients. Sometimes I drink protein shakes made with soy or almond milk. I just joined the Y and trying to get at least 3 cardio workouts a week. Hopefully this will help.

It is called Hemagenics...made by company Metagenics: Here is the "stuff" from the label:

Hemagenics is a highly specialized hematinic formula comprised of iron designed to be highly absorbable, succinic acid, glycine, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12.

-Supports the formation and maintenance of healthy red blood cells.
-Provides iron as a mineral amino acid chelate that is designed to be non-constipating in most individuals.
-Features L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate—a body-ready, nature identical form of folate.

INGREDIENTS:
EACH TABLET CONTAINS:

Vitamin B-1 5 mg
Folic Acid 400 mcg
Vitamin B-12 100 mcg
Iron 32 mg
Copper 1 mg
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine HCl) 5 mg
Dibencozide 259 mcg
Succinic Acid 100 mg
Glycine 100 mg
Calcium Folinate 200 mcg
Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable). Coating: Cellulose. Contains no added milk, egg, wheat, soy, yeast, corn, sugar, sweeteners, starch, salt, preservatives, waxes or colorings.
SUGGESTED USAGE:
Take 2 tablets daily, or as directed by your health care practitioner.

The shots that I am waiting to get made up are B12 1000mg, thiamin, folate and B6

I don't think there would be a connection between anemia and weight loss other than the fact that anemia is quite common especially in women and especially especially in women who are attempting to restrict their caloric intake.

Eat red meat and/or spinach, supplement if need be. Iron is something MFP tracks, use that to your advantage.

Yes being iron deficient can really mess with weight loss. Iron is absolutely required to use your stored fat. Without it your body will rely on other fuel sources.Like protein. It's actually ironic that for some people what stalls their diet is an unhealthy obsession with avoiding red meat. Not saying you HAVE to eat it. But you do have to get yer iron.

Hi,
I am not sure about this. I am also on iron supplements, borderline anemic...But have lost weight the past year..so don't know!

I'm also Iron anemic, and B12 anemic. My Iron level is 3, not sure on B12, but I just started my injections yesterday.

I'd never really thought about how it was affecting my weight loss, but this topic makes me hopeful, eveyone saying it should be easier when the levels are corrected!

.Oh, and I was Vitamin D deficient, too, which did not help.

I also have a Vitamin D deficiency. I feel like the walking poster child for lack of vitamins at the moment.

My family has a history of women being extremely iron anemic (and lacking vitamin D) and while I do take several vitamins in order to aid that, I found that oats help keep me up on my iron levels. The Red Cross volunteer who came to my school several years ago even told me to start eating oatmeal a week before giving blood because it increases iron! And because I can't eat burgers, I usually make them out of lentils and whatever vegetables I have on hand, which still provide plenty of iron.

I don't think there would be a connection between anemia and weight loss other than the fact that anemia is quite common especially in women and especially especially in women who are attempting to restrict their caloric intake.

Eat red meat and/or spinach, supplement if need be. Iron is something MFP tracks, use that to your advantage.

This^^^^^. Track your iron in the app. I'm not anemic, but have been in the past. I don't supplement, but I do make sure I'm at least getting the recommended amount. This may not be enough to reverse anemia, but for those who are just low or heading in that direction, it makes sense to use the tools available. And FYI - If your diet allows cereals, a lot of cereal is iron fortified.

Do not use the mfp values for iron tracking, next to worthless as no one enters them.
Again, do not supplement iron unless you are tracking via blood tests and show clear deficiency. Too much iron is very bad.