QuestionI am absolutely lost
My daughter is 15 years old, with general good health. She had her first period 3.5 years ago, and
from the very beginning, I noticed that something was wrong: the amount of blood was enormous!!
Until then, I didn't notice any abnormal bleeding. My husband and I have good health, without
bleeding problems
Our family doctor run some tests and the only abnormal result was her bleeding time (12 minutes).
She was referred to a children hematology service. They ran dozens of blood tests (Proteins, Von
Wildebrand, factors, etc). All the results seem normal, however, her bleeding time remains between
10-12 minutes
Since last year the amount of blood of her periods seems more "controlled", however, each injury
bleeds a lot. But other than this, my daughter has a normal life.
But suddenly, even without injuries or excessive bleeding, she started to feel tired. Her ferritin
level was 35. She took an iron supplement, the ferritin went to 52. After 6 month she was told to
stop with the supplement and now the ferritin level is again in 35
Therefore, we don't have a diagnostic or a solution. We were told that the tiredness may be or may
be not related with the ferritin level. The only answer we have from the doctors is "she has a
medical condition and she should live with this".
Are there other diagnostic resources? Can this problem be a consequence of other disorder (meaning
liver, or kidneys or...) Should we look for more answers?
Thank you in advance
AnswerHi Patricia,
She could simply have very heavy periods and iron deficiency anemia as a result. That could explain all of her symptoms. Considering that she was tested for bleeding disorders and all came back OK, that would make a hematologic disease less likely. Has anyone suggested she go on birth control pills to better regulate her periods? Until such time as this happens she will have to be on iron supplements to maintain her levels as her bleeding will deplete her iron storeage.
