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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Fatigue And Tiredness Long After Suffering From Anemia?

I m a 40yr old African American female, lately being feeling very tired, lack of energy and restless. I have in the past suffered from anemia, and I have a pretty hectic schedule work/school active teenagers etc.. Was wondering should I start a daily multi-vitamin or something. Last blood work done was in November 2015, everything was fine then.
Thu, 11 Feb 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Respected Madam, I understand your concern. the symptoms you are describing fits right into symptoms of anaemia. Anaemia is defined as decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. It could be due to decrease in number of RBCs or decreased heme content of the RBCs itself.

1) When oxygen content of Blood is decreased the the peripheral tissues like muscle, brain will produce decreased ATP (energy currency of the cell) due to decreased oxygen supply.

2)If it is due to IRON deficiency then the Mitochondrial proteins (cytochromes) will be less and it will also lead to decreased ATP production.

As you described that you have african american descent you may have inherited one of the Recessive genes which could cause anaemia like
1) G-6PD deficiency
2) Sickle Cell disease
3) Thalasemias.

You may have to find the reason why you had anaemia by ruling out one of these causes or others.

you should also do various tests like:
1) MCV
2) MCH/MCHC
3) RBC count
4) Transferrin levels
5) TIBC
6) Osmotic fragility test
7) Hemoglobin electrophoresis
8) Ferritin levels

Please visit your family doctor/ consultant for further advise. Hope i have answered your question.
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What Causes Fatigue And Tiredness Long After Suffering From Anemia?

Respected Madam, I understand your concern. the symptoms you are describing fits right into symptoms of anaemia. Anaemia is defined as decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. It could be due to decrease in number of RBCs or decreased heme content of the RBCs itself. 1) When oxygen content of Blood is decreased the the peripheral tissues like muscle, brain will produce decreased ATP (energy currency of the cell) due to decreased oxygen supply. 2)If it is due to IRON deficiency then the Mitochondrial proteins (cytochromes) will be less and it will also lead to decreased ATP production. As you described that you have african american descent you may have inherited one of the Recessive genes which could cause anaemia like 1) G-6PD deficiency 2) Sickle Cell disease 3) Thalasemias. You may have to find the reason why you had anaemia by ruling out one of these causes or others. you should also do various tests like: 1) MCV 2) MCH/MCHC 3) RBC count 4) Transferrin levels 5) TIBC 6) Osmotic fragility test 7) Hemoglobin electrophoresis 8) Ferritin levels Please visit your family doctor/ consultant for further advise. Hope i have answered your question.