Hi, I ve struggled with anaemia for a few years now. I first diagnosed myself, and after convincing my parents, my levels were checked. I was called the same day, because my levels were on 3, and I was out on instant medication. About 6 months later, my levels were up to 43, taking 6 doses of liquid iron a day. It dropped 9 months later, and was back down to 10. Since then, I was on supplements, but the prescription was stopped after 6 months. I went 3 months without them, then felt like I was going downhill. I then spoke to a doctor, who won t find the underlying cause of anaemia, but because I flagged extremely heavy and painful periods, she said that contraception was my only option. I refuse to contracept. She put my back on liquid iron, for six months, but after 3 months I stopped, because it felt like a losing battle. I had already cut out sugar and dairy completely, for 2 years, and have no cut out gluten, to try and figure out if it makes a difference. It s been 3 months since I stopped taking the supplements, and all of my symptoms have come back. It feels like a battle to get up and move, I have heart palpitations, shortness of breath with exercise, I m extremely pale, and generally feel unwell. Going back on the supplements is stressing me out, and I already struggle with depression - possibly caused by anaemia, but I m not sure, since it s lasted since I was 12, and I m now 18. Checking my levels is also stressful, because my veins are small, and last time, it took over an hour, and 11 attempts to draw any blood at all. I also nearly passed out from the attempt. I d appreciate any advice...