Can tiredness with occasional lightheadedness after blood donation be cured with iron supplements?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am an 18-year-old female. I am obese with a history of mental health issues, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, hyperhidrosis, high triglycerides, and cholesterol. I exercise about three times a week and take Glycopyrrolate at 5 mg a day and Venlafaxine at 225 mg per day. I also take fish oil, L-methyl folate, Policosanol, herbal supplements, and magnesium. I have donated blood or platelets three times in the past few months and have become increasingly tired with occasional lightheadedness upon standing that is increasing and a higher resting heart rate after donation. I looked this up and it said this could be anemia which makes sense as my hemoglobin has dropped from 13.9 g/dL before my first ever whole blood donation to 12.9 g/dL and after my first platelet donation to 12.6 g/dL before my last platelet donation two days ago. I was wondering if I should take an iron supplement. What I can do to raise hemoglobin?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Thanks for the detailed history. I have read your query and am sorry for such discomfort. You have mentioned symptoms of tiredness, occasional lightheadedness, and high resting heart rate, and these symptoms are consistent with low hemoglobin levels due to frequent donation. Your present hemoglobin level is 12.6 g/dL. Donating blood and platelets removes iron from your body. Your body needs iron to make new blood cells, replacing the ones lost through blood donations. I would suggest you the following:

Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet containing foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C for optimum absorption of iron.
Iron-rich foods include non-vegetarian foods and other meats, beans, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.
Avoid blood donation in the upcoming days as your hemoglobin level is decreasing and you have symptoms due to it.
As of now try to maintain a nutritious diet to elevate the hemoglobin level and if it does not improve your symptoms you can take iron tablet supplements along with a healthy diet.
There are many preparations of oral iron supplements example Ferrous fumarate, Ferrous sulfate, and Ferrous gluconate. Take them after consulting your specialist doctor.

I think taking an iron-rich diet and avoiding donation for a few upcoming months would help to restore the hemoglobin levels and if symptoms persist then you can take oral iron tablets.

Please follow up if you have any further related queries.

Thank you.