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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on January 3, 2011, at 16:38:26
I've developed a little black spot on my toe in the little crevice between my nail and the skin. I'm hoping it is just a mole, but I keep thinking it is melanoma. How long does it take for melanoma to metastasize? Am I gonna die soon?
Also I nicked myself while shaving my legs and my blood is very dark. Maybe there is something wrong with my blood. I've been taking prenatal supplements for my hair and even though my iron stores were a bit low, maybe I am taking too much iron. I read you can die from too much iron.
I made an appointment with my doctor. Am I just being a hypochondriac?
Posted by Maxime on January 3, 2011, at 19:07:00
In reply to Worried about melanoma and too much iron, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2011, at 16:38:26
> I've developed a little black spot on my toe in the little crevice between my nail and the skin. I'm hoping it is just a mole, but I keep thinking it is melanoma. How long does it take for melanoma to metastasize? Am I gonna die soon?
>
> Also I nicked myself while shaving my legs and my blood is very dark. Maybe there is something wrong with my blood. I've been taking prenatal supplements for my hair and even though my iron stores were a bit low, maybe I am taking too much iron. I read you can die from too much iron.
>
> I made an appointment with my doctor. Am I just being a hypochondriac?You are so sweet Deneb so I don't know how to tell you this ... but you are over reacting. If you are just taking the prenatal vitamins and your iron stores were always low, then I am sure you are not getting too much iron.
As for the thing on your toe, it sounds like a broken blood vessel.
HOWEVER, I think you should keep your appt. with your doctor and ask to have some blood work done. Find out what your iron is doing because that is important. Hopefully your iron stores won't be low anymore if you are taking the supplements.
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 3, 2011, at 22:33:11
In reply to Re: Worried about melanoma and too much iron » Deneb, posted by Maxime on January 3, 2011, at 19:07:00
You do tend to worry a lot about little physical symptoms that are probably benign for a person your age. The spot on your toe might be worth seeing your doc about, just for a look. It's probably nothing, but can't hurt. Why are you taking pre-natal vitamins? Are you pregnant? The main difference between prenatal and other vitamins is folic acid, which prevents birth defects. I doubt the iron content is much different from a regular vitamin for young women with menstrual periods. Too much iron will make you constipated, turn your stool black and, if it's way too much, make your eyes bloodshot. You won't die from it. Why not take a regular multi-vitamin?
Posted by Deneb on January 3, 2011, at 22:49:47
In reply to Re: Worried about melanoma and too much iron, posted by emmanuel98 on January 3, 2011, at 22:33:11
> You do tend to worry a lot about little physical symptoms that are probably benign for a person your age. The spot on your toe might be worth seeing your doc about, just for a look. It's probably nothing, but can't hurt. Why are you taking pre-natal vitamins? Are you pregnant? The main difference between prenatal and other vitamins is folic acid, which prevents birth defects. I doubt the iron content is much different from a regular vitamin for young women with menstrual periods. Too much iron will make you constipated, turn your stool black and, if it's way too much, make your eyes bloodshot. You won't die from it. Why not take a regular multi-vitamin?
I read that melanoma is often found underneath or near the nailbed, that is why I am worried. Plus it is a new spot that just appeared. I hope my doctor won't just brush me off.
I was taking the prenatal supplements because I read that it makes hair nicer. I've decided to split the prenatals in half now and only take half a day.
It would be good to know how my iron stores are now so that I can adjust my dose better. So far I don't have any of those iron overload symptoms, well except for the constipation, but that happens even when I don't take iron.
I hope I don't have melanoma. :-(
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 4, 2011, at 1:03:02
In reply to Re: Worried about melanoma and too much iron » emmanuel98, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2011, at 22:49:47
Well your doc probably won't brush you off. Melanoma has a specific look to it -- ragged edges, inconsistent color, etc. -- and I'm sure she will look for that. But unless you're pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, i would stay off the pre-natal vitamins and just take a regular vitamin.
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2011, at 13:06:04
In reply to Re: Worried about melanoma and too much iron » emmanuel98, posted by Deneb on January 3, 2011, at 22:49:47
Deneb had the same nail black thing as you and thought the same thing. But it grew out and is gone. There is a web md site that shows slide of nail problems you could google and check the pics as one is melanoma of the nail. Mine turned out to look a lot different. Dermatologists are trained to look for abnormalities I myself just had two biopsies both benign from a dermatologist. So try not to worry. Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on January 30, 2011, at 1:37:45
In reply to Re: Worried about melanoma and too much iron » Deneb, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2011, at 13:06:04
OK, I got blood tests and absolutely everything is normal. My iron isn't too high, it's normal at 88. It was at 60 before, but not it's normal.
My doctor said I should just watch the little spot on my toe and if it doesn't change in a few months that means it's just a mole.
Looks like I'm perfectly healthy.
This is the end of the thread.
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