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I have fibroids
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An_246748 posted:
hi! This is my first time.My ? is I have fibroids.I'm due for a surgery to have my uterus removed.But I was told that I have to bring up my hemoglobin up to a 12.I'm taking iron pills right now.It was a 5 a couple of months ago In April.Now it's a 8.9.I have an appt. to go and get birth control.So when I see my period Ican slow it down.cause I bleed really heavy.And it is told that the pills will slow it down.Should I keep my appt.cause I can't have children no more tubeligation.Have 6 of my own.So my ? is will help me so I can build my blood up for this operation?And another?is why I have to build it up to a12?
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:I have fibroidshi! This is my first time.My ? is I have fibroids.I'm due for a surgery to have my uterus removed.But I was told that I have to bring up my hemoglobin up to a 12.I'm taking iron pills right now.It was a 5 a couple of months ago In April.Now it's a 8.9.I have an appt. to go and get birth control.So when I see my period Ican slow it down.cause I bleed really heavy.And it is told that the pills will slow it down.Should I keep my appt.cause I can't have children no more tubeligation.Have 6 of my own.So my ? is will help me so I can build my blood up for this operation?And another?is why I have to build it up to a12?
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Anon_6061 responded:
Birth control pills usually make periods lighter so it seems like it would be worth a try. And if they work to slow the bleeding and the fibroids aren't causing any other troublesome symptoms, you may save yourself from having major surgery.

There are also some other medications that are effective for heavy bleeding. A couple non-hormonal ones are NSAID's (e.g., ibuprofen) and tranexamic acid (e.g., Lysteda).

Also, there are surgical options that remove just the fibroids (hysteroscopy or myomectomy) allowing you to keep your uterus. Here's a link about treatment options for fibroids:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/
Report This| Share this:I have fibroidsBirth control pills usually make periods lighter so it seems like it would be worth a try. And if they work to slow the bleeding and the fibroids aren't causing any other troublesome symptoms, you may save yourself from having major surgery. <br /><br />There are also some other medications that are effective for heavy bleeding. A couple non-hormonal ones are NSAID's (e.g., ibuprofen) and tranexamic acid (e.g., Lysteda). <br /><br />Also, there are surgical options that remove just the fibroids (hysteroscopy or myomectomy) allowing you to keep your uterus. Here's a link about treatment options for fibroids:<br /><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001912/</a>
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Anon_6061 responded:
I forgot to mention - Some forms of iron are harder to absorb than others. And some are more apt to cause constipation. Taking vitamin C (in either food or supplement form) with your iron should help you absorb it better. Here's a link that may be helpful - http://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000316&sectionid=00015.

You can also eat iron rich foods. One food that's very high in iron is beef liver (although it seems many people dislike it). Here's a list of iron rich foods - http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/top-10-iron-rich-foods.

If you're going to have any type of pelvic surgery, it's critical to increase your hemoglobin and iron stores since surgery involves blood loss and will therefore further deplete iron. Menstruating women are supposed to have a hemoglobin count of at least 12.1 hence the recommendation that you raise yours to 12. I've read too that increasing iron level can resolve heavy menstrual bleeding - don't recall where I read this.
Report This| Share this:I have fibroidsI forgot to mention - Some forms of iron are harder to absorb than others. And some are more apt to cause constipation. Taking vitamin C (in either food or supplement form) with your iron should help you absorb it better. Here's a link that may be helpful - <a href="http://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000316&sectionid=00015">http://www.anemia.org/patients/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=000316&amp;sectionid=00015</a>. <br /><br />You can also eat iron rich foods. One food that's very high in iron is beef liver (although it seems many people dislike it). Here's a list of iron rich foods - <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/top-10-iron-rich-foods">http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/top-10-iron-rich-foods</a>.<br /> <br />If you're going to have any type of pelvic surgery, it's critical to increase your hemoglobin and iron stores since surgery involves blood loss and will therefore further deplete iron. Menstruating women are supposed to have a hemoglobin count of at least 12.1 hence the recommendation that you raise yours to 12. I've read too that increasing iron level can resolve heavy menstrual bleeding - don't recall where I read this.
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