https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:39:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels/page/2#post-2204620 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:48:11 +0000 MrsRcCar 2204620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: I wasn't shocked that E's iron is low. My iron has always been low even with supplements. I will have to check that link out when I get home. Right now he seems to like the flintstone chewables with Iron. I am just not sure how much they are helping. Plus they are still binding up bad, his system is so delicate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels/page/2#post-2204613 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:43:43 +0000 CakeLady 2204613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also just had our 12m checkup, and DS has low hemoglobin. Ped recommended fer-in-sol, but I couldn't find it at the store, so I went online and after reading reviews about terrible taste, vomiting, and consitpation, I ordered NovaFerrum Liquid Iron Pediatric Drops instead: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NovaFerrum-Pediatric-Supplement-Infants-Toddlers/dp/B00BTMKDUU" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/NovaFerrum-Pediatric-Supplement-Infants-Toddlers/dp/B00BTMKDUU</a> They seem to have much better reviews and the same dosage as the fer-in-sol. Hopefully this will work for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels/page/2#post-2204606 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:40:11 +0000 MrsRcCar 2204606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: poly-vi-sol with iron was a horrible for us. :bummed: Is that what they have you giving your lo? E would throw it up. He smelled like metal and I smelled like metal. Cue both unhappy momma and baby. Plus it is kinda spendy to not be working. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels/page/2#post-2204598 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:34:08 +0000 regberadaisy 2204598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: 9m, today was her check up. My ped checks for iron levels at the 9m check up. DD1 was low too at her 9m and kept dropping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2204593 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 20:32:08 +0000 MrsRcCar 2204593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Hope it all works out for quickly for your LO. How old is your LO?<br /> @anbanan15: E gets so backed up with the iron supplements. :sad: Things are complicated by his feeding and drinking issues. He has been nursing so much more then normal right now. I knows it's because his body is crazing the fluids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2204557 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:56:24 +0000 regberadaisy 2204557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anbanan15: haha that is so funny you say that because while pregnant and on iron supplements I am way more regular than I am otherwise! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2204478 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:55:36 +0000 anbanan15 2204478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: my LO has chronic constipation and the iron supplement has actually made her go the other way. Heme was worried about it being constipating but it hasn't been an issue(I'm not sure if mixing it with ~1 oz OJ helps that or not, but it is the only way she will take it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2204463 Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:41:54 +0000 regberadaisy 2204463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just found out today DD2 also has low iron. 9.1. Ped put her on multi with iron. But she gets SO constipated really easily so I'm worried about that. I'm going to look into what your ped suggested @littlejoy: ! She already gets crazy constipated if I don't offer something high in fiber every other day or so. I can only imagine what iron is going to do to her!</p> <p>Gotta go for pediatric blood work as well to test for thalassemia among other things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2201243 Sun, 07 Jun 2015 06:56:33 +0000 MrsRcCar 2201243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: thanks for your reply!<br /> @littlejoy: thanks for your reply!! I will look that supplement over and talk to his doctor! Iron really binds him up which we have been off setting with fruit, but he really isn't a solids kid so it is hard to get down him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2201106 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 19:39:32 +0000 littlejoy 2201106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I JUST got an email from my doctor about an iron supplement she recommends. She did some research for a high-quality plant based supplement ... "You wouldn't want to do more than 5 mL (1 teaspoon) daily - PLANTFORCE LIQUID IRON 16 OZ by Gaia Herbs." Additionally, "I generally prefer ferrous gluconate over ferrous sulfate as it is less constipating." -- I found this helpful, and thought I'd share. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200962 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:55:50 +0000 mdf106 2200962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was given a high dose of an iron only supplement, in addition to poly-vi-sol with iron. It improved his iron levels up to normal in a month, when we dropped back to poly-vil-sol with iron only. DS was only 9 months, and there was no way he was consuming much iron rich food. The iron only supplement was a prescription. The pharmacist was surprised the dose was so high and called the pediatrician to confirm, but it worked quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200825 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 06:31:34 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: both times it has been checked by blood draw. I know all too well that the heel stick can come back wrong.<br /> @QBbride: We haven't met with anyone about it except his doctor. She sends mixed signals in terms of the importance of the issue.<br /> @KT326: I had never thought of toasting on a griddle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200762 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:21:20 +0000 KT326 2200762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I have a skillet and a combo griddle/grill. I do most of my cooking on them. And our toaster broke recently so I've even toasted bagels on the griddle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200715 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:58:56 +0000 QBbride 2200715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: you can get it on amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000S2I75K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1433559407&#038;sr=8-1&#038;pi=AC_SY200_QL40&#038;keywords=fer+in&#038;dpPl=1&#038;dpID=51HkUIWf%2BpL&#038;ref=plSrch" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000S2I75K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1433559407&#038;sr=8-1&#038;pi=AC_SY200_QL40&#038;keywords=fer+in&#038;dpPl=1&#038;dpID=51HkUIWf%2BpL&#038;ref=plSrch</a></p> <p>Have you met with a dietitian or someone who can give you some advice about increasing his hemoglobin and ferritin? It is really important for mental development!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200707 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:43:06 +0000 Revel 2200707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: I'm assuming they've done venipuncture to test his levels, not just a heel stick? My LO got a false negative on her heel stick because they didn't get enough blood, but came up normal when they did an actual blood draw. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200669 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 20:51:58 +0000 anbanan15 2200669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: I hear you. We haven't had her ferritin rechecked yet. I am having such a hard time getting her to take the iron! She gets CBC's done often and I have tracked her hemoglobin which is always just below or just above reference range for our lab (not enough out of range for anyone to question anemia in the last 18 mo based on CBC results alone). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200665 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 20:39:57 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anbanan15: his ferritin level was 7. They want it to be closer to 50 or higher. His Hemagoblin level was 10.4. Which was down .2 since his last draw. My concern is that his iron doesn't seem to be getting better even with us supplementing his iron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200604 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:00:22 +0000 anbanan15 2200604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: I was going to mention the fish you boil. It was just brought to my attention recently too. </p> <p>FWIW my LO was on poli-vi-sol w/ iron and her ferritin is still low. We have a perscription but like others have said you can get it OTC too. You should be able to get Fer-in-sol (or the drugstore brand) at CVS. When my son was on it they actually just pulled it off the shelf to fill the script. My daughters is different though so it was from the pharmacy (they had to order it). </p> <p>Like I said only my daughters ferritin is low (all other indicators normal or high normal). Her hematologist is optimistic and thinks it is nutritional and once her iron stores are restored that she will not have further issues. She did have a BMB last fall that rules out some non-iron related anemias though (BMB for other reasons...just mentioning it because I'm not sure if the BMB results impacts the need for transfusions? In relation to her iron transfusions have not been discussed). Do you know what they want his ferritin to be at? Our reference range for the lab is 10-70, but pedi said it should be like 30-50. Hers was 8 at 16 mo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200595 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:38:38 +0000 regberadaisy 2200595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: side bar: steak in the cast iron is sooo flipping good. It ties with steak over charcoal. Yum.<br /> Are all your pots and pans cast iron? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200593 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:36:16 +0000 KT326 2200593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: that stinks. That was the easiest way for us as my DH is a big meat eater!</p> <p>I actually cook exclusively with cast iron now! Even for stuff like pancakes! I was very intimidated at first but I did a lot of research. The trick is to keep your pan conditioned and well oiled. We use coconut oil. After I wash it I immediately slather it with coconut oil so it is shiny. Then before I cook I will add more coconut oil to it. My DH made a blackened salmon in it that was amazing. For easy clean up we use a stainless steel scrubber and no soap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200589 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:28:01 +0000 regberadaisy 2200589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: fwiw DD's iron supplements were prescription and always has been. But I can just as easily buy them from Amazon. It's not necessarily only available via prescription! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200557 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:47:55 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: We don't eat red meat, much anyway. My DH can't have it so we only get it when we go out which is much considering we are :Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Egg Free. I am afraid to cook in cast iron, and I do must of the cooking at home. Although I have seen a cast iron fish you can boil in water to help iron fortify things I may look into that. </p> <p>@QBbride: I haven't seen that before, it is hard enough to find Poly-vi-sol here and even harder to find Flintstones with iron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200556 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:47:29 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2200556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: you really don't need a prescription, you just need the right type like was mentioned above. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200545 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:26:56 +0000 QBbride 2200545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about something like fer-in-sol instead of tri-vi-sol? we usually give fer-in-sol (ferrous sulfate 15mg elemental iron/mL) for iron supplementation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200541 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:24:16 +0000 KT326 2200541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine had a blood test at two and our dr said they now start testing iron at one regardless if BF or FF (at least in our practice). She recommended red meat as that is the most easily absorbable. We also started cooking on cast iron and doing iron drops. I went to drugstore.com and ordered drops that were just iron. A year later his iron is up but his iron stores aren't quite where they should be so we are still using the iron drops. But doing those few things really helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200487 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:04:21 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tiramisu: Iron stores (ferritin) are different from Hemagoblin. His doctors just said that he may need iron infusions.<br /> @MamaG: My oldest was combo fed. His iron is still low however it is just barely normal. My little guy is EBF. I do know formula is generally iron enriched. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200482 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:58:31 +0000 anbanan15 2200482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: yes both of mine were BF! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200480 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:56:36 +0000 MamaG 2200480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aha! I just went google'ing. I'm betting it's because my kiddo was FF, which is typically iron fortified. I'm betting all of you BF! I wonder if it's routine to test BF kiddos but not FF? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200473 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:51:53 +0000 tiramisu 2200473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter's iron was super low at her 9 month appt. I can't remember the exact number but I think it was around 7 or 8. Is iron reserves different from measuring hemoglobin? They only gave us one number and said it was low hemoglobin. After a month of iron drop supplements and feeding her lots of beef, chicken, spinach and rice cereal it came up to 11.5. Still on the low end of normal but they said it was ok. I was surprised they didn't test her again at 12 months.<br /> I'm so sorry your son is going through this. I hope the Flintstone gummies help! Did they mention if he might have thalassemia? His normal iron level could just be on the lower side from genetics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-hemaglobin-and-ferritin-levels#post-2200464 Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:45:19 +0000 MrsRcCar 2200464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @danda: @anbanan15: @regberadaisy: @anbanan15: @MamaG: thank you all so much for your replies. </p> <p>@sailsnsun: First welcome to Hellobee! Second thank you for your response. I am on prescription iron myself. His doctor seemed pretty against giving us a prescription for Iron. However they kept telling me how important it was to increase his iron. </p> <p>We are getting ready to move to an area with a great children's hospital. I will talk to them about getting a referral to hematology </p>