anyone with recommendations for anemia brought on by eliquis?
Anemia: anyone with recommendations for... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Anemia
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Oldiemoldy
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Yes, it should be evaluated right away. That could include a GI workup to look for underlying conditions, as well as additional blood tests. In certain cases, a Hematologist may get involved. A review of medications is also important, in terms of absorption issues, for examples PPIs which may inhibit iron absorption.
In my case, it was very low Ferritin with borderline anemia. I had both a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both negative) and ended up with iron infusions. If the infusions do not hold, I will need further workups.
Jim
thank you. I do take a PPI - and I made the appointment with a GI doc but can’t get in til August. In the meantime eating high iron foods. Iron pills tear up my tummy and make me constipainted so not eager to take iron pills.
I had a colonoscopy last summer.
Yes, it could be an iron malabsorption issue from the PPI. Or not.
Jim
As already said you do need all of the bloods and other tests to rule out causes for your anaemia other than medications.Importantly you need to recheck Iron, Ferritin, Folates and Vitamin B12 both total B12 and Active B12 tests and Intrinsic Factor. Vitamin D test is also advisable.
Vitamin B 12 or Folate deficiency can both cause Anaemias , there is also the possibility of Pernicious Anaemia with B12 deficiency . It's because deficiencies in B 12 or Folates can cause metabolic dysfunction which means you don't absorb your nutrients properly. They can also reduce how well you absorb your medications , cause Fatigue , Pain , Brain Fog and palpitations and breathlessness as well as making any heart dysfunction worse.
It is quite common to become low in B12 or Folates and Vitamin D if you are on certain medications, including PPIs because of the way they change your stomach acids which can cause you to absorb less B vitamins from your diet.
If you are B 12 deficient you should get injections. Low Folates you usually get oral supplements first.
If you are already anaemic you will need iron which might be an infusion if it is very deficient or supplements if it is mild.
You could begin supplements as soon as you have had your blood tests done but not before them or they could cause inaccurate results.
Ferrous Iron which is more commonly prescribed is renowned for causing stomach gripes and constipation because it is harder to digest and this can be worse if you are on PPIs.
You can , however, either request to be prescribed Iron Bisglycinate, which is Active Iron, the simplest form iron comes in which is much easier to absorb and does not cause constipation in most people, and stays twice as long in the system to ferrous options. In the Netherlands , it's the standard choice to prescribe to pregnant women for that reason so that people are encouraged not to give up the tablets from side effects. If you can't get it as a prescription there are various over the counter options available in the US. I use the brand Solgar , but I'm not sure if it's available there. Take it with orange juice after breakfast to improve absorption. You may need to start on one capsule so your stomach gets used to it then increase to two until your iron levels increase again.
If you have low normal results for B 12 or Folates but aren't deficient you won't get offered injections but you would benefit by increasing your levels with a daily single supplement of these as well as increasing your diet intake of B12 , Folates and Iron. As well as improving your anaemia these supplements, along with a daily combined vitamin and mineral ( without iron) can also help improve your health in general and can reduce the severity of your heart related symptoms .
Hope it is just a basic deficiency issue that can be simply treated in these ways and save you the need for more tests and other treatments. Take care , Bee
thank you so much for your comprehensive and sensible reply.
I have been on Vit B12 injections since 1986 due to a bowel resection. I have suffered ectopics for years and AF for 11 years, but I have chest pains/severe fatigue/feel rubish/sweats to name a few symptoms for many years, but all my bloods come back in the excellent range apart from low ferritin, which has been like this for at least 30 years. Cant find out whats the cause.
I assume they have tested you for absolutely everything during that time to work it out?Do you get iron infusions or are you still taking oral supplements?
Are you also being checked or taking supplements for Folates?
Does you full blood count result come back with normal results for blood size and cell count?
Did you have any blood or bone marrow issues as a child?
Or did anyone have similar things in your family?
If it was happening long before your other symptoms started and the common gastro and haem causes have been tested and ruled out you could be one of those rarer folks that have an issue of changing serum ferritin into active Ferritin, or you have a dysfunction in production of the chemicals that help your iron receptors recognise the need to take up more iron on a cellular level.
BobDVolunteer
Anticoagulants should not cause anaemia. You need to see your doctor for tests to check for any underlying conditons which may cause it.
thanks Bob. Primary care doc referred me to a GI doc and I made the appointment. But my check of reputable medical sites does show many suggestions tat eliquis is associated with low blood count.
Yes, you are correct:
"The most frequent side effects with Eliquis (seen in between 1 and 10 patients in 100) are anaemia (low red blood cell counts), haemorrhage (bleeding), haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin), contusion (bruising)...
ema.europa.eu/en/documents/...
I am now on 4 ferrous gluconate 300mg weekly. I too have a relatively low red blood cell count and get bruised under the skin esp in my fingers when I use my hands too much. It is not so bad when I take vit C with bioflavonoids which supports the capillaries.
I am glad you can tolerate oral iron. It always bothered my stomach, so I ended up with Iron infusions.
Thought I'd answer you reply here as I just read what you have written.Taking your iron at the same time as Vitamin C after food helps increase how much and how well you absorb the iron if it's an oral supplement. That's because the iron needs ascorbic acid to be metabolised in the intestine into its active form.
The easy bruising you are talking about here is another sign that part of the cause for your Anaemia could be Vitamin B 12 or Folate deficiencies. Easy bruising is common with borderline low and deficient B 12 or Folates.
Have you had a B12 and Folate blood test in the last six months?
If you get a normal low test result for these it is worth starting oral supplements for them each day for three months then be tested again.
At that test you ask for a Total and an Active B12 test , because the Serum B 12 test can be normal but your active B12 is too low.
If your Active B 12 is low , you won't get enough from oral supplements or your diet , no matter how good it is and you need an injection every three months to help.
It's like a little Jigsaw puzzle if the cause of anaemia is low B 12 or Folates not just iron intake , you can take iron for years and still have the problem because you haven't found that other piece of the puzzle.
You take your Folate at the same time as your Iron and Vitamin C because it also absorbs better with C vitamin.
B12 is best taken with a lot of water after food or a snack without vitamin C in the foods , as it absorbs better without Vitamin C .
I take my iron and Folate after breakfast , and my B 12 after lunch ( even though I also have injections I still need to top up each day).
Vitamin D is also worth being tested as it can cause similar issues, especially easy bruising of the skin, increased palpitations and chest pain and joint pain. I take a Vitamin D supplement in spray form after the fattiest meal of the day as it is a fat soluble vitamin to improve absorption, for me that is dinner which is quite useful as Vitamin D can help improve sleep by reducing restless legs.
Hope you don't mind the suggestion. Take care , Bee
Hi
I am B12 deficient.
Since diagnosed I take SOLGAR B12 1,000ug bilingual.
I get checked yearly. I try for 500-600 level. I take 1 x nugget on Sun and Mon around food.
Taking Bs to take it through the stomach is useless also I have no gall bladder.
I recently bought 2 bottles SOLGAR 100 nuggets on line through NATURITAS.nz.com
but it is worldwide and my bottles arrived Thursday this week from Switzerland.
We folks with B12 need it. SOLGAR is a reputative firm GOLD TOP for vegetarians.
Dr and I tested it on 1 every day for 6 weeks and my B12 level went from 130 - 900! Luckily it may store in normal folks and/or eliminates excess.
In NZ now no Dr's injections, no SOLGAR B12, B12 stocks in general wiped and I got 2 unhelpful bottles 50 micro mg. I would need 20 tabs!
1,000ug equates to 1mg.
My test last week was down to 319 having taken the micros and not realising my actual correct dosage.
On thyroxine, Diltiazem, Bisoprolol, PRADAXA , I had to raise the 1 nugget a week to 2 days 1 nugget a week.
I hope this helps. The injection or under tongue dissolving go straight into my blood stream.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Far from minding I am very grateful for your reply.Thank you so much.
I take my iron in the morning near breakfast at which I always have blueberries and black grapes with my buckwheat,seeds, and nuts with almond milk. I also take a really good multi vit plus a complete B vit and vit C with bioflavonoids and throw in ubiquinol, marine collagen, and glucosamine and chondroitin for my arthritis.
Take a magnesium complex and a magnesium taurine plus complete cherry C at night.
Vit Dafter dinner which is our main meal. Too busy in the day to have it at lunch time.
Seems to me that I should take the B around 11am with a drink.
They do test me from time to time at the surgery and I am always asking for an iron test but they don’t always do one.
Research how long you are supposed to take PPI's and the FDA recommendations. Also google Dr. Sarah Myhill and Gerd.
I have tried everything and anything else you can imagine and think of, but only my PPI is strong enough, especially with my afib meds which make the GERD even worse.I had the same problem with two different anti coags. To the point where my ablation was cancelled because of anemia. I stopped taking them despite being read the riot act by my gp. I am happy going down the natural alternative route. My iron levels returned to normal and im happy not to be taking medication that doesn't suit my body. Lynn 🤗
Hi
All meds need managing and checked to see what's happening.
Overall it is your own personal choice.
Sounds like your blood is naturally 'thin'.
Perhaps you eat lots of Vit K.
cheri JOY. (NZ)
** In my time after surgery I have declined radiation, RAI and Thyroid TSH Suppression. I'm still alive. I'm anti statins!
I think you are right regarding thin blood. I take a vitamin K2 supplement, turmeric and eat lots of ginger and cinnamon so that could be why. I'm not a statin fan either, having known plenty of people who have had nasty side effects. Nor am I convinced by the idea that there needs to be a war on cholesterol. But that's another long subject. Well done for refusing treatments that you felt were not for you. And you are still here! 😁👍
Hi
Well, you have already knocked the reason on the head.
Even taking anti-coagulants PRADAXA 110mg x twice I don't know if I am bleeding somewhere internally in my body.
I've already had a stroke with new diagnosis of AF. 4 days still in hospital I was given a carotid arteries neck scan and discovered (2 for the price of one) with a shadow on my thyroid! Jade checks the thyroid whilst she was looking. Dear sole saved my life.
3 years non cancer scans (thyroid with 12 lmphs - 2 affected).
I did my 'bun' when my triage team prescribed 110mg PRADAXA x twice but when I was transferred to a local hospital closer to home, this was changed to 150mg PRADAXA! x twice.
Latest research says not to put cancer patients on anti-co.agulants!
Also at the time I had bad TVT Johnson & J inflammation. Finally removed last year in Feb.
Heck you do have alot of ingredient to keep you safe from clotting.
So my ischaemic (embollic type) caused my stroke..
Research says that cholesterol (my carotid arteries were squeaky clean) cannot be measured. I heard about a man could not walk 2 years later due to statins. And a baby died when given statins. Oh dear.
Life is full of risks.
But I have had all my COVIC jabs including the new strained one omnicron but I never have the flu jab.
1,000 of new cases everyday COVID, flu is out there, Australa are having a big wave of COVID.
We can only manage our own risk.
Either explain to your Dr the long list that you have given me or change your doctor, I did when the doctor wouldn't change my dosage of PRADAXA.
I was 70 then with a heart condition.
Be healthy. But the action of no anti-coagulant will stop any ablation.
Pre op I had to stop my B12 bi-lingual nugget.
I always stock McCoys Dark Grape Juice in case cold/flu and I drnk 1 box a day.
cheri JOY
Good heavens Joy you have/are going through the mill. However you are using your discernment with treatments instead of just accepting whatever is prescribed., which is good.I decided I will just live with my AF, however long that may be. The only thing I take is Sotalol and I'm happy with that.
All the best.
Lynn
I've read the link further down. It gives %s.
I understand the % goes down with times of AF.
My stroke was at 2am. Suddenly awoke with a banging sore head.
I didn't look in mirror instead toileted and went back to bed and sleep.
Re awoke at 5.30am looked in the mirror. I didnt make toilet in time. Rubg 111. 2G cell didnt put my whereabouts correct. I went to the homephone. I couldn't talk well, dropsy right hand, dropped face, couldnt eat or drink.
Almost 4 years later pretty well normal.
I chose PRADAXA 110mg x twice because it is twice a day so presumably less in my bloodstream at any one time. Also an antidote is available.
So re.... list of risk. ... stroke 1.7% or can be death from bleeding.
I believe for you the decision.. yours is OK.
Life is good.
Improving walk distance and exertion.
Cheers JOY
Your indomitable spirit has kept you going. Well done Joy. So pleased you are enjoying life.🤗
Yes, don't stop the anti coagulants at any cost, a stroke is the worst possible thing that could happen to you. I've had one so speak from experience.
All the best.
Roy
thanks .Am also too afraid of a stroke to just quit eliquis
Hello, maybe you should switch blood thinners if you know for sure it is elequis. I take vitamins, iron supplement once or twice a week I bury these in food and have done a lot of research on food, and have seen improvement. There are other things you need from the food you eat, protein, fibre is one- soluable, insoluable etc. If you cant work this out yourself - a dietician might be able to help you.
thanks - already busy researching iron rich foods
Good information. Much appreciated!
Hi
Is that anaemia due to low iron in the blood
or anaemia due to low/deficient in B12 and/r folic acid
they both on low cause anaemia.
cheri JOY 74. (NZ)
not sure / more tests over the summer. Now just emphasizing high iron foods.
Definitely get it checked out. I know what you mean about iron supplements. I needed some years ago, and I can’t tolerate iron oxide. However, I found ferrous fumarate absolutely fine, so it could be worth asking about that if you’ve not already tried it.
So many multivitamins contain iron oxide, it’s even in the coating of my apixaban tablets. I wish they didn’t do this, just to make them the right colour. Luckily the small amount seems to be ok, but they never seem to consider our gut health.
I had never heard of eliquis so did a quick search using duckduckgo browser. This is what I found! Scary stuff!drugwatch.com/eliquis/lawsu...
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