Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Minor => Topic started by: elohvielove on October 06, 2013, 03:05:32 AM

Title: low hgb, any supplements that can help?
Post by: elohvielove on October 06, 2013, 03:05:32 AM
since young, i have been afflicted with random black-out spells, low energy, bad mood swings etc. parents have always told me that there is nothing wrong with me, just that i got "something called thalassemia but its really normal to have it so don't worry". it is only when i grew up, and i slowly realised that yes while it is COMMON, it is not normal to faint for no reason whatsoever,and something can be done about it!

frustrating thing is that, no one really bother to understand that. they just assumed that i am being lazy or finding excuse for not "doing my best" at sports and in life for that matter. even when i see a doctor for it, they just brush it off as "you just need to exercise more and you will get more stamina and stronger". so i did. i exercise daily, i run marathons, i do bikram yoga, i do long distance cycling trips with friends. all that ended when one fine day i crashed (fainted) and landed on the wrong end of my knees. popped it, sat out of exercise for 2 years.

recently i have been trying to get back into action, by easing in with yoga. completed my 30 days challenge (where you have to do 90 minutes of bikram yoga daily without fail). but soon after, i felt discomfort on my lower back and eventually i got hospitalised cause the pain got so bad and i was bleeding out of my poops and urine (sorry for the lack of better words).

the urologist said that it was due to massive stress on my body that it may occur spontaneous bleeding inside of me. that is not uncommon. but what is worrying for him was that i have been walking around with a 8.6 hb and was not on any medications or supplements or any sort of "improvements". he has arranged for me to see a hematologist but that guy is away on a vacation and will not be back for a month. in the meantime, i was just wondering if taking any form of supplements will help? i have read that taking of folic acid will help, but how much is enough?

sorry for the really long essay, and thanks Andy for accepting me into the community!
Title: Re: low hgb, any supplements that can help?
Post by: Andy Battaglia on October 06, 2013, 06:31:18 PM
Yes, diet and supplements are extremely important in all types of thal. Please see the post at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,4890.0.html

Hb of 8.6 is quite low. I have confidence that this can be affected by diet and supplements. I would definitely suggest wheatgrass in whatever form you can take it. Folic acid is a must, but so are many other vitamins.
Title: Re: low hgb, any supplements that can help?
Post by: elohvielove on October 17, 2013, 11:02:12 AM
Hi

Thanks Andy for the advice.
I have since ordered supplements online:

1 - (Cal Mag Zinc + D,)
Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol)   400 IU
Calcium (as carbonate)   1000 mg
Magnesium (as oxide)   400 mg
Zinc (as oxide)   15 mg

2 - Folic Acid
800 mcg x2 (1 in the morning, 1 at night) - i am afraid of taking too much at a go, should I just take them both at the same time?

That should be decent enough, I hope?
I have been feeling really tired recently, but I have enough sleep daily.
I see "floaters" in my vision all the time now and I find it hard to keep my balance. Sometimes I find myself swaying while standing in the train or something, but I dont "feel like fainting". Is there anything wrong?

It's kinda hard to find a doctor that understand. I am in Singapore. If anyone can direct me somewhere, that will be nice :)