ET Jak2 and anemia

[milw532]

I have ET Jak2 and anemia. One doctor says it is noted because the red blood cells are smaller the last 2 months. He thinks taking iron pills will help. He will do a blood test. Is anemia an expected result of ET Jak2? He seemed to indicate that it is correctible. Is this a serious symptom?

[Melaniem59]

I have a similar thing, with mch & mcv levels dropping, which indicates anaemia but my iron levels are not low, my gp describes it as only just being enough, my diet keeps red blood cells from being anaemic but are small as you say

I’m jak2 ET as well, have telephone consult & will ask again

[lizzziep]

My iron levels often drop very low. The consultant puts me on iron tablets until they come up again. This has happened for the last few years, sometimes it takes months, then I come off them for a few months. At the moment my iron levels have stayed up on their own and I have managed to avoid going back on the tablets, no idea why, my diet is the same as it ever was! I do have lots of green vegetables etc but in the past it hasn't made any difference.

[Cja1956]

I am post ET MF, and got diagnosed with anemia for years ago. My hematologist told me not to go on iron pills. And then when I switched to an MPN specialist last year, my HBG was 8.9, which is pretty low, and she also said not to go on iron pills. Maybe you should get a second opinion.

[soisew]

That is normal for us. I have had PV for 30 years and I was put on vitamins WITHOUT iron and a low Hemi iron diet.