Dr. Rynne,  Im 49 years old and recently diagnosed anemic. Im having extreme numbness in my arms when I hold hold objects for extended periods of time including driving. Iron supplements have uncomfortable side effects.  Any suggestions to what else I can do to get more iron?
Hello. Thanks for asking on Chat Doctor. Kindly get your peripheral blood film done to check out whether you have anemia due to iron deficiency or vitamin b12/folate. Accordingly, numbness might indicate b12 deficiency. Better to take all supplements together for optimal benefit. You might have anemia due to other causes like hemolysis or occult blood loss. Also, if you cannot tolerate a specific salt of iron, try to change the salt. Ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous carbonate there are many salts. Consult your doctor. Mostly the side effects of iron resolve after taking it for few days continuously. Moreover, include sources of iron in diet like red meat, spinach and green leafy veggies. Jagger is also a good source and good as a dessert after food in case you are not a diabetic. In case still oral iron is not tolerated you can go in for injectable iron. Hope I helped. Thanks.