A member asked:

I'm always tired i got told i could be low on iron but i'm not getting a bloodtest cause of my phobia of veins any suggestions please?

3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

Cure the phobia: If you are in fact iron deficient, not just your health but you schoolwork / job / life are in grave danger. You describe a terror of needles that you yourself recognize to be irrational. This would be a fantastic time to face those fears boldly like you will have to as a grown-up. Get with a good therapist with the focus of treating the phobia, and watch other aspects of your life improve also.

Answered 6/15/2013

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Dr. Lynne Weixel answered

Specializes in Clinical Psychology

Plan to fix the fear: For now, you can probably get enough iron eating these foods: meat, especially liver, poultry, fish, eggs, whole grain products, leafy greens, potatoes, fruit, and milk. Add vitamin c to improve absorption of iron. Also, remember tiredness can have other causes. But, as you enter adulthood, you'll benefit from getting over that fear. No need to like it, but for your health just do it! it's true.

Answered 7/5/2013

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CBT: Seek a cognitive-behavioral therapist who specializes in phobias. One method they use is systematic desensitization which slowly and incrementally brings the person closer and closer to the thing they are afraid of in slow, graduated steps that help make the anxiety more tolerable.

Answered 3/20/2015

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