Blood results with heart failure

[Nomis21]

Hi, so I take bisoprolol, ramipril, dapagaflozin and apixaban for heart failure, previously had ablation and have total heart block and recently had a CRT pacemaker fitted (Oct 24) and cardioversion (Dec 24)Had bloods done last week and results show high cholesterol, low vitamin D, low folic and high iron levels.

Probably explains why I have no energy and constantly tired but looking into things a bit deeper it also I found these results may link to coeliac disease which my explain my constant bloating after eating, feeling sick, aches, irregular toilet habits and feeling fatigued and tied all the time.

Just wondering if these issues are related to heart failure or the meds I take, could these issues be linked to having heart failure or a consequence of taking the meds?

Plan to make a docs appointment to discuss but just thought I'd ask on here for some possible insight beforehand.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Hi, sorry to hear you’ve not been well. There is a specific blood test that can be requested to test for Coeliacs - albeit it doesn’t always show up. The next step, is usually a colonoscopy and the Doctors can tell from the villi in your intestines whether you are sensitive to gluten. Hopefully - it isn’t this and your symptoms are possibly just a side effect of the heart medication, but definitely something to raise with your G.P or Cardiac Rehab Nurse if you have one. Take care.

[10gingercats]

I was diagnosed with coeliac disease at around 60 years of age.A simple blood test can indicate coeliac disease and/or a endoscopy...very quickand mildly uncomfortable.I had a rare diagnosis due to having a closely related malady....dermatitishermatiformis but a top consultatant diagnosed coeliac as the real cultprit. Go for it via your GP as you will feel much better on a gluten free diet if it is fould you do have coeliac disease.

[Nomis21 in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi ginger, how did coeliac disease make you feel before being diagnosed? How are you now and other than a gluten free diet do you have to manage it by other means?

[Butterfly65]

Hello, How did you manage to get your Vit D level tested, was it tested on the NHS?

[Nomis21 in reply to Butterfly65]

Yes it was done on NHS as part of a my 6 monthly blood test due to me being on medication mentioned in this post

[Butterfly65 in reply to Nomis21]

Thanks, I'm exhausted all of the time, I was diagnosed with HF & AF end of August last year but have been suffering with tiredness due to other health problems for many years.

I also avoid gluten because of hashimotos.

I've always known that Vitamin D tests were not routinely given by NHS but now I'm going to have to ask, or even insist I be tested because I really can't go on like this.

[Carnationmac in reply to Butterfly65]

Hi Butterfly, I exhausted a few years back GP tested me for Vit D and B12. Got tested in the morning and got an urgent phone call back to surgery in the afternoon. Vit D was non existent, B12 was fine. I went on to high dose Vit D immediately then high dose for a month then onto a daily dose for life. Felt so much better. The GP just did the test without me asking on NHS.

Hope you’re feel better soon. 🤗

[Butterfly65 in reply to Carnationmac]

Thanks for your response. My B12 is very high despite me not supplementing & I also have very high ferritin which GP said can also be an inflammation marker.

My hair has been falling out too but luckily I've always had a thick head of hair so it's not really noticeable.

I have an appointment with both cardiologist & GP within the next few days so hopefully one of them will request a Vit D blood test for me.

Can you remember what your initial high dose was & how soon you started to feel a bit better/more energetic?

[Carnationmac in reply to Butterfly65]

Unfortunately it was so long ago I can’t remember, I just remember going to work one day and feeling fine, the dose I’m on now is Fultium-D3 800 IU and I’m not to take any calcium when on these tablets. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help 🤗

[Wonky_heart]

Being sensitive to gluten is more common than you think, but it doesn't mean you have coeliac disease. I have an autoimmune disease (separate from my heart issues) and I'm very sensitive to gluten so I exclude it from my diet. If I do try it again, the bloating, skin issues and joint pain all come racing back. It is something that can be tested by a blood test, but be aware that if you cut gluten out of your diet before the blood test, then the markers won't show up, My Gastroenterologist and Rheumatologist suggested going gluten and lactose free and it's made a massive difference to my general health, however, my heart issues seem quite separate.

Unfortunately bodies don't always come with just one wonky issue so you may have several conditions that have no connection to each other other than you're the one who has them all. Sometimes conditions are related but that's not always the case.

[Nomis21 in reply to Wonky_heart]

Thanks wonky makes total sense, I have another blood test booked early next month which I suspect they will be testing for gluten intolerance so I will wait to get the results.

[Nickybhf]

Hi,

My mum had all the symptoms you’ve described, she was taking Bisoprolol and Apixaban. I was constantly telling the doctors that her appetite was so poor, some days she barely ate. She would say she felt so full after the tiniest amount of food, sometimes she felt sickly. Mums iron was always low- I know you mentioned high iron levels. I was trying to get the medication changed as I believe the bisoprolol made mum feel tired all the time. Mum had permanent AF & heart failure.

I think the heart failure causes excess fluid in your body, and can possibly be the cause of digestive problems. Maybe discuss a possible medication change to see if it helps with digestive issues?

Mum was tested for coeliac, was told it’s not that, they also did an allergy test but there was nothing specific that mum was allergic to. Hope your symptoms settle.

[Jedi14]

No statins?

[Nomis21]

My cholesterol result was 6.4 mmol/L above the top end range marker of 6 mmol/L so going to make a GP appointment today to discuss this and the other results.But no I'm not on statins.