My mother [64 years, diabetic] gets tired very quickly and starts breathing fasts, when she walks even 100 meters. Her cbc report showed low hemoglobin [8.6 g/dl] and low rbc count [3.68 mill/mm3]. Currently, she is taking metformin and atenolol. Can iron supplements solve her problem. If yes, which iron supplements are recommended?

Dr. Prabhakar Laxman JatharEndocrinologist51yrs exp

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Hello, thanks for the query. I have gone through the details mentioned. Her hemoglobin is too low and that is the reason for feeling tired on doing any sort of strenuous activity including walking. Hemoglobin should be at least > 12 g / 100 ml. Ideally it should be about 14 g /100 ml. So she needs to take proper iron supplements for at least 7 to 8 months. The reason is when hemoglobin goes up, there is a need to continue the treatment to build up the iron storage in the body. That takes longer. Another most important point is her blood glucose needs to be very well controlled. There is no mention about her fasting, pp glucose as well as hba1c%, so there is no idea at all. Uncontrolled diabetes also adds to tiredness. If you have any questions please do come back with all the details like: glucose levels, hba1c%, lipid profile, serum creatinine, urea and bp readings, weight, height, dietary details and extent of exercise. Then I will be able to give specific advise. Thanks. 

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