Anaemia/tongue

[PurpleParis]

Hi guys, bit of background first, last April (2015) I got gastric flu and as a result my blood was tested and it appears my iron level was 6! I was told normal is 14...anaemic is 11...mine was 6! Doc wanted me to go into hospital for transfusion but my circumstances dictated that I say no...but agreed to start taking Ferrous Fumarate as the other stuff made me throw up...here we are a year on and my last blood result was 9.6. I am rubbish at remembering to take the awful stuff...but I have really tried and only forgotten once in the last two weeks. I do feel better but my real question is...I know when it's really low as my tongue starts to 'hurt'...is it normal that low iron affects the tongue?

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Less common symptoms include . . . a sore or abnormally smooth tongue"

Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaemia-iron-deficiency-/pages/introduction.aspx

[Mamyalynne]

It is normal for it to affect the tongue yes, try to make taking the iron routine and go back for more advice if feeling no better.

[Cloverjo]

I've had low iron, and I don't remember anything about that affecting my tongue.

[Cloverjo]

Buenchico and Mamya weren't there when I started typing. Please listen to them, and not me.

[Mamyalynne]

Doesn't affect everyone Clover and of course depends hoe anaemic one is.

[Mamyalynne]

^ how - it's late in my defence.

[Sqad]

This is the problem with health forums, one starts off with assumptions that are inaccurate and statements are made which accentuate the misconceptions.

First of all, those results are NOT for iron levels but represent Haemoglobin levels......different things. Hb 6 is very low and needed investigation and transfusion. What type of anaemia and if iron deficiency, then why?
No amount of tablets will rectify that level of Hb.

\\\\.I know when it's really low as my tongue starts to 'hurt'...is it normal that low iron affects the tongue?\\

Are you saying that your Hb fluctuates?
In answer to your question....it MIGHT be that the low HB causes a sore tongue, but that is a minor detail compared to the reason for the low HB.

I don't know anything about your past history e.g if you have heavy periods, but ask the GP what type of anaemia it is and what is causing it.

[Sqad]

Ah! just looked at yr past pasts.......you do have heavy periods and that is probably the cause of your heavy periods.
I am still worried about your HB levels and yes, the sore tongue could possible be due to your anaemia.

[Old_Geezer]

Do you have a 'smart' phone ? If so, set a recurring alarm for taking medicine. That's what I do.