I don't normally do reviews but I got a tremendous amount of help from everyone who posted theirs so here goes...I went in for a sore throat. Had it for three weeks, took two z-packs -still had it. Went back in, got a steroid shot and an antibiotic shot and requested for once in my life- blood work. (needle phobia) So, the next day my blood test comes back and I have severe anemia and need a transfusion. But, I feel better and emphatically do not want to have a transfusion. I'm told to take an iron supplement for a month and then have more blood tests. At this time, I am experiencing rapid heart rate which I attributed to Anxiety from stress, sore throat, which was probably the glossitis from anemia, rabid ice eating (which I've done for years) a crack in the corner of my lip which I thought was just dehydration, low energy levels, lack of mental clarity which I attributed to regular fatigue, breakthrough bleeding and thinning hair. So, I had a lot of symptoms. I think I've had severe anemia for many years but my body adjusted itself until it couldn't anymore. About the only thing left was for me to get dizzy enough to faint. I started two hours later on the otc iron by spring valley from wal-mart.- ferrous sulfate. That night researched and found out about taking the pills on empty stomach with orange juice or vitamin c to increase acidity which increases absorption. No eating two hours before or after. No milk, no caffeine, all the myriad things that block iron absorption. I ordered this product and didn't get it for a few days but added it to my schedule immediately. I really didn't want a transfusion! . Took two of these and two of the spring valley, spread out through the day. Had to wake up in the middle of the night to do this. Trying to wrap this up, not sure which worked? I also ate only beef twice a day with orange juice or tomatoes for citrus. I never ate that much red meat in my life, btw, and also btw last year I lost 30 lbs. eating mostly fruit smoothies and nuts. Also, my b-12 levels about half of the normal level. My mother has anemia also (who knew?) and I think my condition is hereditary and dietary. The point is...all the reviews I could find said three weeks to increase your hemoglobin levels. I did 2.5 points it in 10 days. (I know you can overdose on iron) My LPN's supervisor, a general practioner contacted me and insisted I come in. Said he would give me two weeks to have more bloodwork done. But when he discussed my case with whomever, they all said blood transfusion immediately. I compromised and got the one week grace period. By then I had been on iron 3 days or so. I now own just about every iron supplement available and will update as I find out more. Just so you know, there is a supplement called Proferrin ES (got it on Amazon for $50.)that is based on heme(meat-based) iron that I just received and will be trying. And I'm taking B12 sublingually and getting a B-12 shot. I spent a lot of money on these supplements and it was freaking worth it to me to not have a transfusion. Guess I'll be getting regular blood work now, great. Once I'm out of dangerous levels, will experiment with what works best. Now, daily I'm taking one Blood Builder with food, one proferrin ES with o.j.,and one ferrous sulfate with o.j. Also adding ferrous fumarate from a prescription- swapping out every other day with the ferrous sulfate. Still need to double my iron levels, and they took a lot of my precious new blood for the blood test! I mean really. I'm getting tests done because of my blood problem! That was the closest I felt to dizzy through the whole ordeal. Already staying up til 10:30 at night now, used to go to bed at 8PM. Concerned having anemia so long may have done permanent damage to my heart though. Doctor said not to exercise until I get my levels up, I could have cardiac arrest.***Update*** Doctor called with 3rd blood test results, taken May 21st. (First was done on April 25th.) Hemoglobin count at 11. Ran two miles and played softball this week. Huge difference. First bill came in, from hospital lab for blood work. Insurance paid $8 of a $250 bill. wow! That stings. Apparently I haven't met my "deductible." I've had three of these blood test now, so I'm wondering what the other two bills will be. Good thing I have such awesome BCBS insurance from my employer. Who can afford to get sick
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