Question 1

changing from vegetarian to flexitarian because of anemia. is that a good idea?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Eating a healthy balanced diet allows a full complement and variety of nutritional sources important in providing necessary minerals and vitamins that may be missing or lacking in certain strict vegetarian diets. Some potential deficiencies in vegans include calcium, iron, b12, and zinc. Iron and B12 are necessary for production of red blood cells to prevent anemia.

Question 2

how long after turning vegetarian does anemia occur?

Accepted Answer

Why askng?: Why do you take the risk? Take multivitamin therapeutic once or twice daily for prevention.  Vitamin B12  is important, might need to take a shot 500-1000 mcg every 3-6 months. Vegetarian food leads t also iron and minerals.....
The time taken to be anemic  is ill-defined since it depends on the type and quality and quantity of the vegetarian food. Be smart. Be wise. Prevent anemia from happening.

Question 3

how long after turning vegetarian might anemia develop?

Accepted Answer

It shouldn't: You should not develop anemia as a vegetarian. Be certain to get the right amount of iron and b vitamins. If your foods do not contain the right amounts, you should take vitamin supplements.

Question 4

how long after turning vegetarian might anemia and malnutrition appear?

Accepted Answer

4-5 years: Pure vegans will develop vitamin B12 deficiency in 4-5 years if they do not take vitamin B12 supplements. It usually will take 4 years for the bone marrow to be completely depleted of viitamin b12, which ultimately will lead to anemia.
Vitamin B12 is predominately found in meat products.

Question 5

how long after going vegetarian might iron deficiency anemia occur?

Accepted Answer

Man or woman?: Female vegetarians would tend to lose iron more quickly and become anemic due to monthly menstrual losses.  Pregnancy and breastfeeding also lead to iron loss.
"heme" sources of iron (animal iron) are more readily digested than "non-heme" iron found in grains and vegetables, but vegetarians can get enough iron in a diet to maintain health.
More info:
http://1.Usa.Gov/9mbfej.

Question 6

how long after turning vegetarian might iron deficiency anemia start to show up?

Accepted Answer

Not necessary: Contrary to what you might have heard on tv or some "experts", you don't necessarily get iron deficient just because you're vegetarian. Lots of vegetables, beans, & fortified bread are loaded with iron. Many cultures survived millennia on little to no meat & many others with almost no red meat. It depends on the variety of your diet & medical conditions present. Plus there's iron in eggs & fish.

Question 7

if eating ice a lot is a sign or symptom of anemia & my labs are negative why do i crave or want ice?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms vs. Causes: Simple question, no simple answer. As complex embodied souls attached to a mind, fragile brain+body, variations in behavior are extremely common. Medicine is empiric more than scientific. While physicians often rely on symptoms as possible clues (where people seem to behave more similarly than differently), the relationship is complex & in most cases poorly understood, if at all & very individual.

Question 8

i eat a lot of ice . i let it sit for while until its soft  people ask me daily if i am anemic is this craving a symptom of anemia?

Accepted Answer

Iron deficiency: Pagophagia, or craving ice, is caused by iron deficiency. Low iron makes you tired, pale, lightheaded, and short of breath, and gives you foggy thinking, poor hair and nail growth, itching, and restless legs. Although most commonly caused by menstrual bleeding, it is important that a woman your age undergo a full gastroenterology evaluation to look for bleeding caused by ulcers, polyps, or cancer.

Question 9

is tinnitus a symptom of anemia?

Accepted Answer

No: The two may occur simultaneously, but neither anemia causes tinnitus nor does tinnitus cause anemia.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 10

is ice chewing a symptom of anemia?

Accepted Answer

PICA: In medicine we call "pica" to the strong desire to eat or drink very unusual substances or foods. Children and adults with pica may eat:
animal feces, clay, dirt, hairballs, ice, paint, sand.This pattern of eating should last 1 mo.In pregnancy, in childhood, and in malnourished populations is more common.It is true that  iron or zinc deficiency could be present but could also be psycological.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Vegetarian anemia symptoms

A member asked:

Changing from vegetarian to flexitarian because of anemia. is that a good idea?

A member asked:

How long after turning vegetarian does anemia occur?

A member asked:

How long after turning vegetarian might anemia develop?

A member asked:

How long after turning vegetarian might anemia and malnutrition appear?

A member asked:

How long after going vegetarian might iron deficiency anemia occur?

A member asked:

How long after turning vegetarian might iron deficiency anemia start to show up?

A member asked:

If eating ice a lot is a sign or symptom of anemia & my labs are negative why do i crave or want ice?

A member asked:

I eat a lot of ice . i let it sit for while until its soft people ask me daily if i am anemic is this craving a symptom of anemia?

A member asked:

Is tinnitus a symptom of anemia?

A member asked:

Is ice chewing a symptom of anemia?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?