microcytic, hypochromic anemia

You may have noticed my long absence from blogging this past month and started wondering where I had gone. I've been seeing my family doctor. It all began when I had a simple blood test ran. I had wanted to know if my HDLs, LDLs & Triglycerides were good after some weeks of exercising & healthful eating. Turns out they were all normal. It was my Red Blood Cells that weren't doing so well. My hemoglobin wasn't manufacturing my red blood cells at a normal capacity. They're actually very small in size and lighter in color. When I went back to my doctor I found out that I have microcytic, hypochromic anemia. He put me on 300 mg iron pills so as to get my hemoglobin to produce my red blood cells normally again. I'm taking them twice a day right now but the doctor wants me to shoot for three times. So, after next week I hope to incorporate the third pill. I'll be taking a blood test each month to see if the iron is working as it should. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I've also had a CT scan to make sure I didn't have something else going on. Luckily I have no cancer or obstructed bowels. But, I do have an ulcer needing to be checked. A doctor's appointment has been set up to see what can be done. I'll be having a scope run down my throat into my stomach after my throat is numbed, of course. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

In the mean time I'll continue my exercising & healthful eating. I've already lost 5 lbs. I've also lost some inches around my problem areas. Once I get myself to feeling healthy & strong I'll try to get back to my regular blogging. I miss everyone and hope you're doing well.

15 comments:

Carver said...

I'm sorry you've had health issues to cope with. Good luck with the additional testing.

Anonymous said...

you have been missed. take care and i hope you get well soon... ill be sure to send you heaps of joy and warmth from this side of the world, just to ensure a speedy recovery.

:) san.

Al said...

At least you found out about the problem before it became too serious. Good luck with your recovery.

Kateri said...

Hopefully the iron will do the trick and and you will be feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Of course we noticed. Glad you are getting it all taken care of.

lissa said...

sorry to hear it, I hope you'll get well very soon

Naquillity said...

carver thanks Carver. it'll be interesting to see how the additional tests will turn out. i'm hoping i won't have to do much to fix the ulcer but, i suspect i'll have to take a pill for it too.

bluepapercranes i've missed you too. i'll do my very best to get well soon so i can get back to the fun stuff like stopping by everyone's blog again. i'll take all the joy/ warmth you'll send me, :) thanks~

al yes, that's the positive note i like to focus on that we found the problems before they couldn't be fixed. thanks so much.

kateri i'm hoping the iron will do the trick too. if i'd been older the doctor said he would have had me go through a transfusion. luckily we can use that as a last resort.

sandy and, hopefully i'll get it all taken care of quickly so i can stop by soon, :)

lissa thanks so much. i'm trying very hard to get well. i miss making my rounds- seeing what everyone is up to.

i want to say thanks everyone for your kind words & support during my time of healing. it means a great deal to me.

Bone said...

Thanks for updating us. Just be sure to take care of yourself. Hope you are better soon.

Kirigalpoththa said...

I'm sorry to hear that! You take care of yourself.

Wish you speedy recovery!

Naquillity said...

bone good morning~ thanks for your get well wishes. i'm working very hard on getting better.

kirigalpoththa hello~ hope this day finds you well. i'm doing all i can to recover quickly, thanks.

have a great day...

Deb said...

So glad the diagnosis is treatable. Sending you good thoughts for the rest of the procedures. Rest, and take care of yourself. All this "discovery" is stressful.

Caroline Gill said...

You are much in my thoughts, Naquillity. I hope you get on OK with the iron pills - I've only ever had them as a short term measure, post-operatively to get the haemoglobin levels back up.

That raccoon photo is FAB!

Naquillity said...

Deb hello. thanks for all your good thoughts & well wishes. and yes, all this 'discovery' has been stressful but i'm hopeful of a quick recovery.

caroline hello. thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. i'm hoping the iron pills will do the trick as well. i went today for more blood work to see if the iron pills are working. i should know something tomorrow. i thought that baby raccoon was adorable too. there's a story behind that and another photo i have of all the baby raccoons. i'll share it when i can.

hope all is well your way ladies. have a great day...

ms pie [little wing] said...

praying for the best possible outcome for you.... it is good to see you blogging... it's funny cause i was wondering how you were doing noticing you hadn't been around... look forward to chatting w/u again...

Naquillity said...

ms pie (little wing) i'm starting to feel more like myself everyday so it won't be long before i'm making my blogging rounds again, :) i can't wait either because i've missed everyone. thanks for your well wishes. i'll chat with you soon.

have a great day.