iron deficiency

[Birdlady2021]

Hi all , just found out my blood tests show low in iron ,is this common with ET etc first time I have this I take sodium tablets also because was very low and vitamin. D so taking it long term ! I wonder if it’s all part of the condition ? Or the hydroxycarbamide or my age I’m 70 now 😀

[hunter5582]

Iron deficiency is not a component of ET. It is often found with PV, however. Iron levels do matter when found in ET as it is a cause of reactive thrombocytosis.

Note that the terms iron deficient and anemia do not mean the same thing. Iron deficient means your body is low in iron. Anemia means your body is low in RBC/HGB. You can have both (Iron Deficient Anemia) or just one (various other conditions).

There are some complexities to consider. If you are iron deficient and your RBCs are in the normal range, then that would be a reason to reevaluate your MPN status, particularly if your RBCs are high-normal. Masked PV is often mistaken for ET. This is something to review with your MPN care team.

Hydroxycarbamide can cause anemia. including hemolytic anemia. This is something to review with your MPN care team if it is relevant to your situation.

Suggest that you review this situation with your MPN care team before making any treatment decisions. This issue is beyond the scope of practice for a GP.

Hope you find answers soon.

[Birdlady2021 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you Hunter , good info 😀

[Birdlady2021 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you , I have other health conditions also , seeing My Gp again to ask him re RBC what that came back like

[Hidden]

Hi Birdlady

I hope you are doing well

If you can tolerate HU I’ve read on this forum that many people do well with it. I took only five doses before I had a violent reaction of nonstop vomiting and severe stomach pain. I was taken to the ER and treated for 6 hours before the symptoms subsided. Those few doses probably contributed to the fact that until last week I had not had a phlebotomy since February, when I was prescribed the HU. Prior to that I was getting one every 6-8 weeks and was anemic

Be sure to check that you are JAK2 positive before agreeing to take it I’m not so it did more harm than good for me

[Birdlady2021 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I am jak2 positive , I’m doing okay thanks but when I first started taking HU in 2015 I started off low dose 3 a week .. This was my suggestion to consultant and he agreed 😀

[Lasbrisas1]

Eat figs and Liver