Anemia

[Gerald2022]

Robotic prostate surgery 09/21 cancer shown to spread. Had a PSMA scan that showed mets on sternum and in lymphs. Five weeks of proton radiation and six months of Eligard. PSA is undetectable. New blood work shows I am now anemic. Have others experienced Anemia and what was the plan for treatment? Seeing Oncologist tomorrow?

[6357axbz]

I am but none of my docs is too excited about it. WBC and RBC both below low end of normal range 2.5 and 3.17 respectively.

[noahware]

Because my anemia is mild and has not significantly worsened in over a year of ADT and nearly half a year of Pluvicto (I've been anemic the entire time) my team seems unconcerned. It is apparently a "normal" result of both the ADT and the PC itself. No treatment plans for it.

If numbers were very much below the low end of the reference range, instead of just below, they might discuss it with me. For now, I continue to hear "numbers are stable, that's good" regarding my red and white counts. Counts can be low without being LOW LOW.

[Gerald2022 in reply to noahware]

Thank you for your replies my WBC is 2.5 and my RBC is3.32

[6357axbz in reply to noahware]

what are your numbers

[noahware in reply to 6357axbz]

Heh, heh... can't remember exactly. I sure hope they are still "just below the low end of the reference range." Because I am in a clinical trial the numbers do not show up in my patient portal... they are given to me over the phone and I forget them rather quickly. The only numbers I usually remember are ALP and PSA. Thanks to ADT, IPAs, and A-G-E, the noggin' ain't what it used to be.

[6357axbz in reply to noahware]

I hear ya brother

[tango65]

Mild anemia is common when testosterone is supressed.

[smileyva]

You can look up The Iron Protocol on Facebook if you are interested in treating your anemia. The protocol is pretty simple. Test your ferritin and then build it back up with the right dose of iron supplements.

Of course, you would want to make sure nothing interacts with your other treatments and medications.

[michael00]

my Anemia goes with low iron. I had iron infusionstwice in past 4 years. It helped bring the iron and hemoglobin levels up but after a while they slowly go back down. Iron supplements do nothing for me. Right now numbers are low again and doc is considering another infusion.

[winkoliu]

Eat more pig liver and date.

[HopingForTheBest1]

My MO had also not expressed concern about my anemia. My low red blood cell is 2.64 and has continued to slip after each chemo treatment.

I finally asked what could be done, and he recommended and ordered Procrit injections. There was no discussion about potential serious side effects, which is stated on the procrit.com website. I then sent him an email about my concerns. He wrote back that we will hold off until my next appt and treatment on Nov 1, and discuss at that time.

As for WBC I have been treated with Neulasta after each chemo treatment. 11 so far.

Also started having beneficial foods that can improve my counts.

[winkoliu in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Most Oncologist treat your cancer but not your SE. It is good to have beneficial foods such as pig liver, red date and clam ect. Those foods improved my RBC level from 3.75 to 4.15.

[Purple-Bike in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

May I ask, has the Neulasta increased your lymphocytes a lot?

[HopingForTheBest1 in reply to Purple-Bike]

Lymphocytes = 672. Up from 586 previous. Low end of standard range = 850.

[Purple-Bike in reply to HopingForTheBest1]

Thanks. Not that big an increase, but I suppose the main effect is your lymphocytes not having dropped a lot from the chemo...?

[milehigh]

My RBC has been low since starting ADT almost 8 years ago. My current MO tells me that low RBC with an OK hemoglobin/hematocrit means that I am not anemic. I found that interesting and would be interested in other patients understanding of what anemic means.

[Gl448]

Interesting. My RBC and HCT have both dropped 10-20% in the two months I’ve been on Eligard. They were actually slightly above the high end of normal before ADT, so at least they’re still well in the normal range.

Something else to keep an eye on. Thanks for this post.

[Hidden]

I am anemic have PC and have a disease where I over absorb iron. My research recommends you eat oats and cereals. Crazy but enriched oats and cereals are LOADED with iron. Do an internet search and cereals will rise to the top. Vit C enhances iron absorption and calcium reduces absorption. Eating Cheerios every day would kill me eventually