It’s been two weeks since I started taking an iron supplement, and one question people have been asking is
Do I notice any difference?
Well that’s a difficult question to answer. Even if I thought I felt better, I would be hesitant to say yes, because I find it hard to believe taking an iron supplement for only two weeks could really have any effect. Then there is the obvious potential for a placebo effect. I want to think the iron is helping, so I rationalize that I’m feeling better.
So I have been answering “no”.
In reality though, I do [sort of] feel better. I’ve already put in 300 miles on the bike this month, and while I feel tired, I don’t feel any more tired than I have been feeling, and I rode really strong this weekend. At least that’s my perception. Plus, I think I’ve been sleeping better, not getting up as often during the night as before, but then again, that could all just be a placebo effect.
Oh well, hopefully I’ll learn more shortly. I have blood work scheduled for tomorrow, and an appointment with my primary care physician on Tuesday. I’m anxious to see if my hemoglobin and iron have increased any. I also have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday for a bone marrow biopsy. I’ll be quizzing them both.