Anemia from radiation.

[Doodlebun]

I've got my labs back from 3 months of Orgovyx and 5 weeks of radiation therapy. Tired all the time with poor stamina and shortness of breath from exertion. Should I start taking iron supplements?

[Tall_Allen]

No. Your red blood cell production is marginally low because of your lack of testosterone, not because you lack iron. You can talk to your doctor about erythropoietin.

[TWTJr in reply to Tall_Allen]

Erythropoietin not indicated unless hgb less than 9, and will be stopped if hgb rises above 10, according to my oncologist. I had this conversation this am, as my hgb dropped as low as 6.1, and I have been on EPO for last 2 months. My hgb is now 8.9, and was told when it rises to 10, EPO will be stopped. It is very expensive, and Medicare must approve its use based on labs.

[Hidden]

FWIW, Mine are the same. 2 doctors state not low enough to worry about. Been that way for a year on ADT.

You're not tired from those blood readings, its the lack of testosterone causing lack of energy.

Radiation will knock you out, you'll recover in a month.

Iron won't help, as a matter of fact, the wrong type of iron will constipate you!!!

[tango65]

The MOs will not do any treatment until the hemoglobin is below 8. They may do transfusions. Erythropoietin could be used but it has specific indications and significant potential side effects.

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

[fish7days]

Do you have an iron deficiency? If not, you do not need to take iron.

youtu.be/BqvvN4H05So(Not working as expected?)

[Mgtd]

interesting I finished 5 week radiation treatment about a month and half ago and my blood count is low also. Just had a retest yesterday and awaiting on results. We maybe in the same boat.

[SpencerBoy11]

Another thing to consider is that radiation may cause myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). I thought my iron was low and took supplements. Later found out after seeing a hemotologist that in addition to anemia, I had high iron which can also cause heart problems. Also did a bone marrow biopsy which discovered that I had MDS-RS.

[Mgtd]

Just got my results and we could be twins. Almost the same numbers. I am 5 weeks out of a 5 week cycle of radiation.

At the bottom of my lab results is a note. They are waiting on radiation oncology follow up. So I assume the medical and radiation oncologist are talking.

[Doodlebun in reply to Mgtd]

There is a good chance that the hemoglobin is dropping from the Orgovyx ADT therapy which is a known side effect of the drug.

[Mgtd in reply to Doodlebun]

Doodlebun

Perhaps the original poster was on that drug. I am on Lupron. I hope he reads your input about the drug he is on. It may be important.

[SimMartin]

I also had more or less similar results 5 months after 20x3gy radiotherapy and been on Zoladex for 7 months. (G9 salvage post failed HIFU for G7)

it’s not something anyone has flagged up as needing action. I have very low breathing for decades due to polio respiratory insufficiency and use a ventilator at night and 2 hours a day so I was always a bit borderline- my oncologist and I was concerned that the full 2 years ADT was a greater all round risk than recurrence- so monitoring closely - so far it seems what you and I have isn’t too concerning.

Think the take away is keep a watch - it’s individual as well of course.

[Mgtd]

Just got a call my blood work call it was 12.8. Lower level range is 13 so no big deal. Chalk it up to radiation.

[quietcorner]

Almost identical to where my husband is now, having just completed 28x radiation and ADT(Lupron, Orgovyx, Eligard). His numbers are off w/other values, too. He is exhausted, poor attitude. His primary said nothing to worry about, although she has zero knowledge of oncology. He is taking iron supplements now; I keep telling him to go with the red meat, it won't harm him - I even bought him a beautiful filet mignon and it's sitting in the refrigerator, staring woefully back at me....