Anemia

[Margie5967]

Recently I have been extremely tired.

My last labs GFR 51.

Since that time I have had shortness of breath, dizziness, fast heart rate and leg spasms.

Low iron and my WBC is 3.8 and RBC is 3.7 which are low.

I’ve been taking B12 and Iron supplements to increase my oxygen level. The Dr says that iron injections will not help me because my cell shapes are normal.

All supplements are approved by my Dr.

How long will it takes these supplements to work? I’ve been taking them for, four days.

The next step, is to test my Erythropoietin levels.

I have heard several negatives about these Erythropoietin injections. Erythropoietin is produced in the kidneys and when they are damaged they can not produce enough.

Has anyone had to have these at my GFR level?

Once this is stabilized I am going to have to change my diet to include lots of iron rich foods.

[Julesboz]

Morning, I’m afraid I’ve never heard of Erythropoietin supplements, so can’t comment on that. However I do suffer from repeated anaemia with iron, folic acid and B12 deficiencies. Depending on how low your iron levels are, it can take a couple of months of supplements to get you to an acceptable level. I find that I now have to take a low dose of iron every day in order not to become deficient, but obviously everyone is different and iron should only be taken with the advice of a doctor. I also take sublingual B12 every day and folic acid a couple of times a week.

[Margie5967 in reply to Julesboz]

Thank you Julesboz. Anemia is horrible.

[Zazzel in reply to Julesboz]

Hi Julesboz, you had recommended B-12 to me because of my burning feet back in Feb I think. After lots of tests my neurologist said I didn’t have peripheral neuropathy and said my B-12 levels were fine, but my DO told me I could stand to take more as my levels were normal but could be higher. I take it in spray form under the tongue along with folate drops. It’s taken several months, but the burning feet is only very mild now. I just recently increased to the full dosage so we’ll see if it completely goes away. Just wanted to say thanks! 😄

[Julesboz in reply to Zazzel]

Oh wow that’s brilliant news! I’m really glad that helped

[rabbit01]

Hello yes I have this but I never noticed it until I was well into stage 4 with less than 20% eGFR. If your kidney problem is due to an autoimmune disorder then you may well find that you are unable to absorb B12 in tablet form. Have you actually had a blood test to check you B12 levels? I had this and mine were low. I now have B12 injections every three months and that helps a lot but taking tablets in my case would not work as my stomach does not absorb the B12 if I take it in that form. All the best.

[Margie5967 in reply to rabbit01]

Thank you

[Bassetmommer]

Hi Margie,

It takes a while for supplements to take affect, up to months sometimes.

Has anyone checked your potassium levels? Some of your symptoms might indicate an issue there. Check with your doctor.

All the supplements are not as effective as a good kidney friendly diet. Eating lots of iron rich foods might be a contradiction to good kidney health. Animal protein is hard on the kidneys and so if you think consuming lots of red meat is a good idea, it isn't.

Do you have the option of seeing a renal dietician? There is also a lot of information out there on healthy eating for CKD. By changing up what you eat, you might possibly slow any decline in your kidney.

kidney.org/sites/default/fi...

lifeoptions.org/learn-about...

[Margie5967 in reply to Bassetmommer]

My potassium level is always around 4.00. So that’s normal.

I eat very little red meat. I’ve never cared for it.

This anemia has certainly been a wake up call regarding an iron rich diet.

I would love to see a renal dietitian.

That’s next on my list.

[orangecity41]

I am at level 3b CKD and also anemic with low RBC. My Doctor is watching it. Do not know what next step would be if anything? I am on renal diet. Hard to get the iron needed

[Margie5967 in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you.