rjwilder

Oh my gosh, I've never heard of this. I'm not even sure if I've been tested for iron levels in my blood. I'm definitely going to ask my doctor about it.

Sdwill

I'm the reverse. I have to take prescription strength iron pills everyday to keep my level up.

DivaDee

Those are the nastiest things to take, but what they do to your "daily routine" is even worse.

RuthiesRetreat3

Here in Texas, blood can be taken at the hospital, at infusion centers (some of them), some oncology offices, and any blood bank or blood mobile if your sats are low enough. Insurance will pay but many co-pays are higher for hospital vs. clinic, so you need to check with your insurance carrier about that. When you are able to have blood donated, look for a blood and tissue bank so the blood can be used and there is no charge or co-pay. It's just viewed as a donation.

suern3

I would think that your doctor would tell you how to handle this condition.

AllyStitches

I had a weird blood test result last week, which triggered many more tests, and quite the hullabaloo. It seems that I make too much hemoglobin and hematocrit, and not enough ferritin. Apparently these kinds of results are a flag for a kind of blood disorder called polycythemia vera - which scared me! My doctor sent me to a hematologist, who ran one more test and decided that wasn't it. The ultimate diagnosis was, We don't know why your blood does this, but don't worry. Personally, I think they're not used to seeing people like me - I'm vegan and exercise A LOT, so I'm thinking that being so wacky makes my blood a little wacky. None the less, I was scared and spent the week feeling worried and afraid, and then relieved.