Decades of transfusions follow anemia diagnosis
Iron deficiencies sometimes call for more than a dietary fix.
It can be a common scenario: During your health check before donating blood, your iron levels are too low. You can’t donate that day, but with a healthy diet or supplements to boost your hemoglobin, you can come back at a later date.
But what if those signs of anemia don’t go away?
What if they continue, not for days or weeks, but for years, eventually spanning decades?
Krystal Lee found herself in this alternate scenario.
The Dallas-based actress recalled being diagnosed with atypical iron-deficient anemia as a teenager.
Iron is vital in the maintenance of many body functions. Chief among these is the production of hemoglobin, the part of your blood that carries oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body, as well as keeping up a healthy immune system.
Iron deficiency can be prevalent among women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or are experiencing heavy menstrual periods. It also affects major surgery patients, those with gastrointestinal diseases or peptic ulcers, people who have chronic nosebleeds, and vegetarians whose diets do not provide enough iron-rich foods.
Symptoms of iron-deficient anemia can include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, hair loss, brittle nails, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, an intolerance to cold, and picophagia, the compulsive craving and consumption of ice or iced drinks.
“I started receiving blood transfusions in high school,” Krystal recalled. “There was an ongoing cycle with menstruation and inevitable transfusions every couple of months for decades.”
Her iron deficiency seemed to abate during pregnancy but would always return post-delivery.
“After my fourth child, in 2019, I dropped critically low to a hemoglobin of 4,” Krystal said.
For comparison, a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL or higher is necessary for women to be eligible for donating blood.
“I had a headache and an ice craving, but no idea how low I was. The ER team didn’t know how I was able to drive myself in,” Krystal said.
She was admitted to a hospital and received three units of blood. Because of her years of anemia, Krystal’s physician referred her to a hematologist, a specialized internal medicine doctor who treats blood disorders.
The hematologist recommended a hysterectomy. This procedure to remove the uterus is often used to treat heavy bleeding and chronic pain.
“After surgery, I felt better and no longer needed transfusions,” Krystal said.
After decades, her debilitating health journey had reached an end.
But, it also launched something new.
“Last year,” said Krystal with a smile, “I was actually able to donate blood.”
Resources
Iron-deficiency anemia overview
Understanding your pre-donation test results
You can support local patients by donating this week at your Carter BloodCare mobile blood drive or donor center. In about an hour, you’ll make a difference for three patients in urgent need of transfusions. And, when you donate, you’ll get a Donor Appreciation Gift.
There’s another way you can help, too: If you’ve ever received a transfusion, your patient experience can motivate others to donate blood to save lives. Like Krystal, all you have to do is Tell Us Your Story.