Anemia & Aspirin

[ERei]

I'm on baby aspirin & HU. I've had 2 bouts of profound iron deficiency anemia in which the cause was never clearly identified (had 2 complete GI workups). I just read an article that states baby aspirin could be the culprit. Looks like my bloodwork may be heading in that direction again. Any thoughts on the aspirin/anemia connection?

nih.gov/news-events/news-re...

[hunter5582]

This is a question that needs a more thorough analysis than what we can provide. Occult bleeding due to the aspirin is possible. HU can also cause anemia. You could also develop iron deficiency and/or anemia (note they are not the same thing) for other reasons. If you are still using venesections, then that is intended to induce iron deficiency. It is possible to overshoot the mark and actually induce anemia even when you have PV. That actually happened to me.

Suggest you have a thorough analysis done by a MPN Specialist of your current status. There are a number of tests that will be needed to answer your question.

Hope you get answers soon.

[mark382]

I'm on baby aspirin and venesections. From December last year to June this year I was anaemic. The haematologist wouldn't give me iron tablets unless I was always breathless and so tired I was on my knees. The reason being that the last time the prescribed iron tablets my hematocrit went up so fast I was at risk of a stroke. My GP in the December did a bowel cancer screening as part of another problem. That show up blood and fortunately it came back negative - so no bleeding. My Ferritin levels are always 3 or 4. Haemoglobin when anaemic was 116. I was told to eat iron rich foods in moderation - nuts, beans, peas, dried fruit and best of all chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I now say if anyone says anything about me eating chocolate- I just say I'm eating it on medical advice 😁

[ainslie in reply to mark382]

If you are on venisection only are you maybe over venisected ?,Hgb at 11.6 is a bit low, how was your Hct at the time.

[Angelinagaffer in reply to mark382]

😆

[mark382]

HCT was 42. Bizzarley at last blood test in August HCT had gone up to 47 for no apparent reason. Been at 42 from December to June.

[ainslie in reply to mark382]

It might be worth checking Hct again in case 47 was a error, it’s best to follow the trend instead of one reading.

[mark382]

It wasn't an error as at second venesection they did a blood test - after blood removed and HCT had gone down to 43. I have another blood test Friday for clinic next week.