Anaemia found in preop tests - British Heart Fou...

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Anaemia found in preop tests

23 Replies

Just had call from preop nurse to say my iron levels found low in blood test so 3 weeks of iron tabs then another test gggrrrrrrDont eat redmeat hardly ever, or bread or cereals but plenty of other things loads of fruit veg eggs pulses etc etc but cld explain my restless legs, tiredness, falling asleep in daytime instead of at night lol

Theres always SOMETHING !

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23 Replies
Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree

That’s good they’ve found out what’s wrong and it can be fixed easily.when mine was low I had to go and have injections in my rump, not very pleasant and everything tasted disgusting !!!! All my blood results were good but I still can’t sleep and my leg cramps are awful she said I had neuropathy in legs and feet, on list to go somebody or other can’t remember who but I’m not holding my breath 🙄

in reply toDogloverxthree

HiThose injections sound horrible poor you, do you take any statin, I had my dose dbled aft a TIA in July and cramps are awful and keep me awake

The joys of being diabetic and slowly falling apart whilst waiting for the NHS to fix at least a bit of me ha ha

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree in reply to

No I stopped the statins I know it’s wrong but I feel so unwell with other meds can’t face getting worse

scentedgardener profile image
scentedgardener

I went through a period of having low ferritin but never became anaemic, but my mother was. Neither of us tolerated iron pills very well, so we got a couple of things from a well known health food shop. Floradix was one, the other I can't remember the name of, but it was more rapidly absorbed in the stomach. Apparently you can have problems absorbing it orally, especially as you age as per my mum, and she eventually had an iron infusion in the hospital. Much better than iron injections.

in reply toscentedgardener

Thanks for replying my Mum used to have Floradic as pills had bad effect on tummyMy pharmacist said take the pill with orange juice, thats really going to help my diabetic control lol !! Im starting today

scentedgardener profile image
scentedgardener in reply to

Good luck. Mum had a liquid form, not tablets.What we have to put ourselves through to try and get better.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

hi , the Same thing happened to me I had to have camera up and down to try to find out why anaemic Gp thinks could be gastritis so doubled my Lansoprolol and started on iron tablets a week ago. Trouble is I have felt really sick some days and yesterday was really sick. I have a new date for my procedure in five weeks so I must get my levels up. Will try taking with a biscuit if that doesn’t work will phone Dr. Monday for appointment. Maybe they will try the iron injections instead . Hope you get sorted soon. Take care

in reply toPlum53

Thanks Plum

Ive taken lansoprazole for quite a while now, hope you will feel better soon and best of luck with yr procedure

Ive no date yet for my op I guess this will delay things

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

thank you. I really hope that the next blood test shows a big improvement and I can have the pressure wire test with the view if needed a stent. This all started last December when I went to A&E with an ache across chest which they think was muscular as I had moved a heavy TV . . Taken this long to get this far. Was down for test the 25th September but like you preop test showed anaemic. Good luck going forward please let me know how you get on with the iron tablets. I take my Lansoprolol first thing in morning then other meds hour later but take iron at midday so to leave a gap. I then have lunch 1.30 but 20. Minutes later feel ill.

Dozival profile image
Dozival

Hi, I was put on iron tablets after my heart surgery and struggled with constipation, apparently a common side effect. So make sure you've got some remedy to hand just in case!Hope your next blood test shows a big improvement, all the best!

in reply toDozival

Thank you ❤️

Hi, I'd suggest if you have to take the Iron tablets longterm, that you enquire about having an Infusion. I'd been on Ferrous Fumerate for a few years and my GP was reluctant for me to have an infusion, however, I was admitted to hospital due to a serious internal bleed last year. The Consultant found it incredulous that I was on tablets, and I was immediately taken off them, and given two infusions that week. I've since had a third in January this year, and my iron is holding its level well since. Still have another type of Anaemia caused by Mech Valves, but, thats another story.

in reply to

Gosh that's quite a story, thanks for replyingThe preop nurse has told me to take tabs for 3 weeks then a test at GP so am hoping it's just to get me into suitable state for my op, going for bovine tissue valve recommended by surgeon

I'm slightly revising my food intake and adding some things in hopes that'll help

valeriep profile image
valeriep

I'm pescatarian and after having an operation at the end of October, my iron levels dropped dramatically, despite being quite healthy beforehand, so frustrating though it is, I don't think they'd risk operating if you're anaemic already. Unfortunately, my anaemia wasn't discovered until I had a routine blood test recently, but does explain why I get so tired and out of puff. I was worried it was my heart! My GP thinks that although my iron levels have been rising very slowly since my op, my diet was just not sufficient to bring them back up to their previous levels without help. I just changed to a different iron tablet, as Ferrous Fumarate seemed to cause persistent cystitis, and interestingly, the locum I spoke to told me not to take them until at least 4 hours after taking Lansaprozole or the iron would not be absorbed. My GP didn't tell me this when he prescribed FF, so I'm not sure if she said that because it's a different tablet or if it's something he should have warned me about, but it makes sense, as Lanzaprazole lines the stomach.

in reply tovaleriep

Thanks for sharing yr info

Ive been offered an appt now to see my surgeries pharmacist face to face appt wow thats rare !!! On thurs

She will sort me out lol

Take care🙂

SkyBluePInk47 profile image
SkyBluePInk47

my cardiologist told me to eat more red meat and better yet to eat chicken or beef liver. He said there are two types of iron . I think one is Heme iron and I forgot the other kind. He advised to avoid tea and coffee if one has low iron levels as that usually makes it worse. He also has me on intermittent fasting (eating 8 out of every 16 hours a day) and told me to read teo books—The Glucose Revolution and How to stay off my operating table. I found one at the library and will see if they have the other or whether I will need to buy that one . My cardiologist has cut my daily carb intake as well. He also checks A1C, glucose and Vitamin D as well as a number of other tests every 3 months. My BP was around 140’s to 150’s over 90 ish. Within around two weeks of my new way of eating, my BP went to normal and often the lower end of normal. I have a history of A-Fib that most likely isfrom Hyperparathyroidism (calcium too high)and possibly from sleep apnea as well.

Due to my new way of eating, ordered by my cardiologist (one of top cardiologists in the country), I am in the process of also losing weight and hope that will help the sleep apnea go away at some point. He said both conditions are very serious and definitely can cause A-Fib. I am working on getting surgery to remove the tumor on the parathyroid gland(s) as that is the only fix on the high calcium.

He also is big on checking electrolytes as that can also affect the heart rhythm. .

Just sharing my experience in case someone has high calcium levels… which can affect the heart and can kill a person . Many people on the facebook Hyperparathyroidsm groups have A-Fib from High calcium, which affects the parathyroid.

in reply toSkyBluePInk47

Gosh thanks for sharing yr story abt yr condition

Im learning a lot being here

Ive got a facetoface appt with my surgery pharmacist on Thurs as I have lots of meds and the iron question is confusing the issue lol, by then I should be able to get thd details of how low my level actually is, as it was fine in hospital in August !

I eat quite a restricted diet for my diabetes and weightloss but think Ill be bringing back a few foods

But certainy NOT any liver lol

valeriep profile image
valeriep in reply to

Weirdly, not having eaten meat for about 40 years, the thought of my mum's liver and bacon dinnners still makes my mouth water! 😂

SkyBluePInk47 profile image
SkyBluePInk47 in reply to

I cannot do the liver thing either!! I recommend that you research multiple sources on the two different types of iron. My doctor said both types are important

. I have learnt to write important info down (highlighted some words) in a concise manner and to write my questions (after much research on things, myself) for my doctor. Then write answers or ask if I can record the conversation. (Or take a friend or family member with, to help ask and take notes.)

Also, ask for copies of medical records for every visit. Always get copies of labs as well. Keep your records. This helped me figure that I had a brain issue and a parathyroid problem, because several doctors ignored my high calcium) for years.

I looked at my records back to 2016 (couldn’t get earlier records as doctors deleted them by then). Found my vitamin D was too low back then and calcium too high back then already. This definitely affected my health negatively.

All of the best!!!

in reply toSkyBluePInk47

Many thanks

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17

Well Jessica, I don't eat red meat as such either, but maybe a Cumberland sausage once per week, otherwise chicken curry or Bolognese made with chicken mince! !Don't worry so much please 👌 just take those iron tablets to feel better again! You soon find after a week or so your energy levels, restless leg syndrome, feeling tired will improve!

Always have that goal in front of you 🥅 I want to feel physically well enough for my operation 🙏❤️

So strife for that darling 👍 Don't get disheartened but keep pushing forward Jessica, okay! Praying for you 🥰🙏

in reply toSnowdrops_17

Thanks so much ❤️

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17 in reply to

Love you and stay strong my darling ❤️🙏👍🥅

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