Many of you reading this article may have dealt with hypothyroidism and or anemia at some time in your life. This is extremely common in both men and women and can affect you at any age. I personally had been told growing up that my thyroid levels were normal. As I got older and reached adulthood I started noticing ailing symptoms like dry and itchy skin and others that all pointed to anemia. I was diagnosed with anemia after having a simple blood test ordered by my family doctor which also confirmed that I had hypothyroidism. My doctor then put me on iron supplements and told me that, if in three months my tests still show a low thyroid, I would be put on medication to treat it. Fast-forward to a month later, my anemia levels were normal and low and behold, my thyroid was 100 percent normal. On top of that, my dry itchy skin vanished. That's when I started doing some research on how anemia and hypothyroidism can go hand in hand.
For those of you who do not know what anemia or hypothyroidism is, let me clarify. Anemia develops when your body is not producing enough red blood cells, also known as hemoglobin. The red blood cells in your body produce oxygen. In turn, your body is depraved of oxygen causing the anemia. Hypothyroidism is when your body is not making enough thyroid hormone which can cause a whole mess of symptoms.
Not all patients that suffer from hypothyroidism have anemia, but it is the most likely culprit. Below are the symptoms people often feel when conflicted with hypothyroidism and anemia:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Pale appearance to the lining of lower eyelids
- palpitations, fast or irregular heart beat.
- faintness and breathlessness.
In addition to your doctor's recommendations regarding treatment for anemia and any suggested iron supplementation, you can also consider the following recommendations
- Eat more foods that are good sources of iron.
- Help your body absorb iron better by eating foods high in vitamin C.
- Red meat can supply iron, but also helps your body absorb iron from other foods.
- Limit your use of tea, except herbal teas.
- Increase dietary fiber to prevent constipation.
These recommendations to prevent and control your anemia and hypothyroidism will help and keep your symptoms at bay, but are not a cure. If you discontinue your supplements or change your eating habits, the anemia and hypothyroidism can return bringing all of those annoying symptoms along with it. If you have even a couple of the symptoms listed above and you are worried about having anemia and hypothyroidism, then you should consult with your family doctor and get tested so that you can take your life back and become a healthier better you.
