Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the developed world, affecting around one in three women of reproductive age.
It can develop when iron intakes or iron absorption rates are unable to meet the iron demands of the body, causing weakness, fatigue, poor concentration, headaches, and intolerance to exercise.
Amanda Patterson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences and Jacklyn Jackson, PhD candidate in nutrition and dietetics, University of Newcastle explain the impact of iron deficiency on body function.
Note one of the causes of iron deficiency is "Being vegetarian, vegan, or having a diet where iron is not well absorbed". One of the common symptoms of CLL is anaemia, so we need to ensure that there are no other contributing causes of our anaemia.
This is interesting, thanks Neil. I saw my consultant this week, and mentioned my HB, which usually is around 11 (sorry, don’t know the technical numbers). He said that it is thought by some that women generally need a lower average iron result than men. I just think they are probably all slightly anaemic!
Thank you Neil , you post such relevant and informative articles. I have been wondering about my iron levels as I’m so goddamn tired. Have put it in my ever increasing list of questions for my next consultant visit .
Dear AussieNeil, thank you for this informative article, and can Protonex cause this as well, as calafate for stomach problems to coat the stomach lining. Does iron infustions help with CLL anaeima, or blood transfustions to bring up the numbers. Thank you, Linda
Dear AussieNeil, can a low but in normal range of B12 cause aneima also, or does it have to be under the number of B12 on blood test. Is low 200s cause iron or aneima problems, or tiredness Thank you again, AussieNeil
I'm not medically trained, so I recommend you bring the questions about Protonex or Calafate to a doctor or perhaps pharmacist. In general, CLL specialists focus on CLL related causes of anaemia and the extent to which the following causes are responsible:
- Bone marrow infiltration
- Enlarged spleen
- Auto-immune complications (AIHA), either caused by CLL or concurrent with it
I've found that GPs are much better at investigating more common causes of anaemia - it's something that they do regularly. These can include dietary or drug related causes as well as absorption issues. Sometimes we lack a protein made in the stomach called Intrinsic Factor and can't metabolise B12 in our diet or from supplements and need B12 injections.
How appropriate - I've just received correspondence from my Dr stating I have low iron levels! I had thought my fatigue was all related to FCR. Thanks, Neil
I would have to ask my sister, who is the family rose expert. I just enjoy photographing them.
My CLL diagnosis coincided with the end of Australia's decade long drought and I was very ill with a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection that wiped out my physical fitness and combined with the CLL's impact on my immunity made me dreadfully fatigued constantly fighting off infections. (I'd been cycling about 5,000km a year commuting prior to then). I gradually rebuilt my fitness by slowly increasing the distance I walked in the neighborhood. After a very good winters rains I really did appreciate being able to smell the roses.
That's a very drastic change of lifestyle for you, Neil. Do you feel like you're functioning to your full potential now, or just have adapted to suit your health requirements? I, too, am trying to gradually rebuild my fitness by walking longer distances...then I get struck down with something and it all goes out the window and I have to start at square one. It's very frustrating. Maybe I just haven't adapted mentally to the change of lifestyle required now.
Unfortunately I have no sense of smell, but I too enjoy photography and appreciate how wonderful it would be to be able to smell the roses...and coffee!
It took me a long time to learn that I couldn't overdo it or I would wipe myself out for several days. Recovery took years before I again reached an acceptable quality of life. Even now I get a rude wake-up call if I over do it. I worked out that I've (mostly) learned to adjust and hence think I'm better than I really am - until I forget to pace myself. Keeping fit, eating well and avoiding infection risk take effort (I've been neutropenic ever since diagnosis), but they are worth the investment. I never want to revisit the first few years after my diagnosis.
Thanks, Neil. That's a very honest account. Your words have made me realise that probably my recovery is going to take longer than I anticipated, and that I may have to adjust to a new "normal". I so want to be the fit person I was before diagnosis and treatment; I think I am constantly internally fighting within myself to be that person, and physically I just can't do it. I know I have a lot to be grateful for; I'm alive for one thing! But it's still a huge adjustment with so many changes. Sometimes I don't feel like me at all.
I have completed 5 years of wait and watch period and not commenced any treatment so far.
How many patients are there in this group who completed 5 or more years of W and W period and I would like to share their journey and interact .
i am dx in 2013 , no CD 38 and Zap 7o, Mutated .
Enlarged spleen, lymphnodes enlarged in stomach and ,neck . current ALC is 1,09,000. Platelets 1,40,000,Hb 11, Rbc 3.6. no fatigue, no,night sweats,loss of weight 10 % in 5 years.
I am from India and no CLL specialist, and only hematology oncologist doctors.
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