depression as a result of iron deficient anaemia

[SL]

am i crazy or can this truly be real

my health for the past few months has been disastrous, i had a blood test which showed that i was actually severely iron deficient and anaemic. i was prescribed iron and folic acid tablets to bring my numbers up, but because of how severe my levels were i had to take them for longer than usual. its only recently that ive found im feeling like a different person, the tablets are supposed to help bring my energy levels up but i still feel lethargic and my mood has completely changed. im irritated, lethargic,overly emotional for no real reason, my thoughts are getting the better of me, ive withdrawn myself from my friends and im generally unhappy. its been going on for a month now, these constant feelings, i read that depression may be a side effect of iron deficiency anaemia but i dont understand how and i was wondering if anyone else out there might have this?

[Jo3]

Hi SL

I have been severely anaemic for years.  I took iron tablets for many years.  But last year I changed doctors and he decided that i needed iron injections.  I had to go weekly for 5 weeks and have an injection every week.  I just recently had my iron levels checked and to my surprise I am not anaemic anymore.  I  was feeling very lethargic, no motivation, depressed and just didn't want to do anything. 

Please see your doctor for some iron injections.  They will help you feel so much better and your depression may be better as well.

 Good luck, let me know how you go.

 Jo

[S_A_D_]

google "homeostasis" now.

Anaemia represents a significant imbalance in the chemical composition of your blood. There are biological triggers that affect our behaviour and mental processes. Anything that makes you feel physically uncomfortable will usually result in a significant change, which can be called a symptom.

Iron deficiency results in a drastic loss of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, which means the cells of your body, including your brain, are starved of oxygen and start to malfunction. This is why you were told that the tablets would raise your energy levels.

What happens if you hold yourself upside down for a long time, and then suddenly stand up straight? You lose your balance, right? This is called habituation, where you get used to unusual conditions and adapt in an attempt to make the best of a bad situation.

You have become habituated to iron deficiency, and the raising of your levels feels strange. Your discomfort is natural and will probably subside soon. If it doesn't, go back to your GP for a check up. There may be something else wrong, and the correcting of your iron has forced the symptoms of this other condition to the surface.

[Demask]

I also had very low iron levels , I have isolated my self from friends and family, I had no motivation, no energy and even let my hygiene slip . I went from being house proud to just not caring about anything. Been very depressed and emotional, , yesterday I went to hospital and had an iron transfusion, they told me it would take a few weeks before I felt the effects . Today I have mowed lawns used the whipper snipper and been shopping, . I can't believe the change in how I feel !!

[Diddles]

This makes me so hopeful. I'm booked in for an iron infusion in a couple of weeks. I feel so down at the moment and can't find the energy to get myself out of my mood.

[Eviemac]

Thanks, your post was really helpful, and explains why I am feeling this way.

[Jessah]

Hi, I have iron infusions every 3 to 6 months and have done for about 6 years. I was diagnosed with a GAD, which I'm pretty sure was actually just a result of low iron and too much constant pressure at work for too long of a time. When my iron is back up, I'm fine. I am low right now and due for an infusion soon and can't stop crying, feel like I'm overwhelmed and that things are out of control even though everything is pretty chilled out compared with usual. I know this feeling well though, and know that it is a result of insufficient oxygen. What happens is basically a lack of clarity. Your brain can't work properly. Clarity is one of the best ways to overcome anxiety and depression, and when you don't have enough oxygen for your brain to function properly, it's like living in a whirlpool of messy, muddy thoughts and it certainly feels like you're being dragged under it all. I strongly suggest asking your doctor to refer you to a haematologist and requesting an iron infusion. You may only need one (I have a chronic bleeding condition that necessitates regular infusions), and you will feel so much better within a couple of weeks. It's hard to believe that this thing could be chemical when you're in the thick of it. Get help.

[Nicole_A_H]

Hi, I also have chronic anaemia, due we think to my Crohn’s Disease. I have been having infusions every three months for the past two years. They really do make a huge difference. I had to fight to get them initially as most GP’s would just suggest iron tablets which didn’t help. Finally my Gastroenterologist got me in for regular infusions. Anaemia is certainly debilitating and the constant fatigue and weakness is really difficult to deal with especially with a young family. I’ve had a particularly bad run this time as my mood is so low and I can barely string a sentence together. I’m so tired and just can’t muster any enthusiasm for anything. I’m irritable as well. I do know that this will all generally pass once the infusion ‘kicks in’ and this can take anywhere up to three weeks so I’m just hanging in there until then. Please insist on an infusion if things don’t improve. There are some clinics who specialise in this and the GP’s there will get you on the right path.