Anaemia after CABGx3

[cabgpatch]

Hi all

I had a blood test recently and it showed a low Hg level. I looked at tests going back to my CABGx3 ten months ago and the level had been decreasing since the op. I questioned this with my GP and they basically hit the big red button. Turns out my iron levels have also been depleting and so I immediately had a faecal test and urine test to check for cancer. Fortunately, both came back clear, and I am now going for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy on the same afternoon at my local hospital.

So my question is, has anyone else suffered from anaemia after a bypass? I know pretty much everyone does initially, but it normally clears up of its own accord. I noted that Ramipril can cause low haemoglobin levels, but my GP thinks that I am on too low a dose to have this effect.

Cheers

Paul

[Thesnowman51]

Hi Paul, I had similar symptoms. I had 3 x cabg November 2023and had anaemia afterwards, treated with ferrous sulphate medication. A routine blood test in February 2025 showed low iron levels and was then put on a fast track cancer pathway. Poo test was negative, subsequent endoscopy found nothing, so no further action. Put down to a false positive blood test - although I’m having another blood test tomorrow so we will see.

I am also on Ramipril

Good luck with your tests

[cabgpatch in reply to Thesnowman51]

Thanks for replying snowman

Hope your blood test is totally normal 😀

Good to hear that your earlier tests didn't turn up anything sinister. I am also on the cancer fast track, the initial referral letter is a bit scary if you don't understand what's going on! I am hoping for the same result as you next Thursday after the cameras have done their thing, although I know it's not a duff blood test. I've had an endoscopy before, so pretty much know what to expect, but not exactly going to be a fun afternoon.

[Vegart]

Hello, Cabgpatch. Have you had tests for Vitamin B12 levels? Such low levels can cause anaemia. Some medicines like Proton Pump Inhibitors, Like Lansoprazole, and Omeprazole can reduce B12 levels.

[cabgpatch in reply to Vegart]

Hi Vegart, thanks for replying.

Yes, I had the full blood tests. The results were pretty comprehensive, including stuff I never knew you had in your blood! It included a test for B12 and the levels were fine, I take a vitamin B complex supplement daily, which probably covers that.

I had been on Lansoprazole for a while pre-CABG, so was told to keep taking it. Your right about PPI's, which is why I was taking a supplement.

[CyclingTime]

I had it and I am still border line. I think I had never had it checked before so mine is naturally borderline. Loads of iron rich food in my diet.

Had all the tests done and all good, I wasn't suffering any of the low iron symptoms so it's left for now.

Hope you get sorted soon.

[cabgpatch in reply to CyclingTime]

Hi CyclingTime

Thanks for the good wishes, I appreciate them.

Weird thing for me is that my levels were pretty normal before the op. UHS in Southampton have its own app with your records on, so I could check back and see what the levels were. They dove down immediately after the op and kept going down. My GP admits to being a little perplexed, thus the worst-case scenario referral, just in case.

[Gardeniaflower]

Hi I had triple heart bypass April 2023 my hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hemocrit are borderline low since them. My iron and ferritin are good but the iron binding count is low.

Doctors don't seem concerned but I am as I get tired and out of breath. I also get angina.

I am on avotastatin, amlodopine benedryl and ezitimbe. I also just stared a time release nitro glycerin pill. I had the colonoscopy and endoscopy all fine.

I hate taking pills but I was very active before surgery and this is really slowing me down

Good luck with your tests.

[cabgpatch]

Thanks for the best wishes, I appreciate them. Glad your oscopy's were clear, but sorry to hear that you're still experiencing angina, I thought Amlodipine was supposed to treat that!

Like you, I wasn't a fan of pills, I'm still not. But I considered the choices and decided they were the least worst option 😆