Normocytic anaemia with RD

[Wobbies]

Once again, I am asking to benefit from your experience and knowledge. Had my monthly blood test. Am on MTX and Cimzia. The results showed that I have normocytic anaemia. GP rang me and took a history and said that although it could be related to my RD, it also could be related to bowel cancer, and asked me to have some additional blood tests and to complete a bowel screening test. He can't be that worried or I would have been on the 2 week referral but I wondered if anyone had developed normocytic anaemia due to their RD and what happened next. Feel sure that there will be a warrior on this forum who knows. 😎

[oldtimer]

It is very common in anyone who has a long term inflammatory condition to have a normocytic anaemia. It is a sensible precaution, however, to rule out anything more serious and screening for gut blood loss should be done.

I've had all this done and while a bit of a nuisance to have more investigations, it's reassuring.

[Wobbies in reply to oldtimer]

Thankyou Oldtimer, I love this forum as there I always someone who has experience which they are so willing to share. Thanks for that.

[medway-lady in reply to Wobbies]

I had a bowel screen and sigmodoscopy and all was well same thing. And it didn't hurt either done at 9.00am cooked breakfast at 11.30 ! x

[Wobbies in reply to medway-lady]

Hoping it does not come to that, but thanks for the reassurance. How was the preparation of laxatives etc? It des not take much to set off my IBS.

[medway-lady in reply to Wobbies]

There isn't any it was a quick enamea as we don't live close to the hospital they did it and honestly it was quick and not at all embarrassing and the sign was over in about 10 minutes. Didn't hurt at all and its interesting to see your insides too. x

[Wobbies in reply to medway-lady]

Oh you brave lady - will keep repeating your words to myself. x

[medway-lady in reply to Wobbies]

No I'm not brave at all and have a bit of Vertigo so was offered sedation. I asked if I would lie down and the nurse said no you don't have. So as I didn't need to lie down and the nurse said I've had it done and its nowhere near as bad as you think. So I said ok lets just do it. And doctor said you'll be fine... He and she was right it didn't hurt you just feel the whoosh of the gas they use, and then he said look at the screen all pink and healthy. Sometimes Diverticulitis can inflame but it's gone now and no sign of anything amiss. I then walked back to get dressed starving hungry and to the nearest greasy spoon for eggs and bacon. lol xx

[bienassis in reply to oldtimer]

Well, this is interesting; nobody has ever mentioned it to me in the past 54 years. So thanks oldtimer for that information.

I did have a sigmodoscopy some years ago because of blood loss and a couple of haemorrhoids were found. I remember the doctor who performed the procedure saying if it happened again he could give me an injection- yikes!!

I found the sight of my insides on the screen a bit unsettling. Silly old woman.

The procedure itself is nothing to worry about.

[Wobbies in reply to bienassis]

Any procedure I have to have my eyes firmly closed! Cannot look - what a baby I am.

[Marionfromhappydays]

Yeah its also called anaemia of chronic disease, or anaemia of inflammation, ive had it for over a year. They think the inflammation interferes with iron distribution in the body so it gets absorbed by the tissues and therefore gets reduced in the blood so get anaemia.

I also have a slightly low albumin which is also a chronic disease thing.

Good your GP is on the ball, its hard not to worry though isn't it. 😘

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thanks for your reassurance. x The only reason that I am not worried, oddly, is that it was not my normal GP but a baby GP who is so new to the GP world who started the consultation with "I want to talk to you about your blood results, but first is there anything you would like to discuss?" So pleasantly different from the normal rush with the only one ailment rule. Of course I said no but it was nice to be asked. So, I am thinking that he is very keen and working to the medical book exactly.

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Wobbies]

Makes a change to be asked doesn't it, thats nice

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Yes, am sure he will soon get over it. 😁

[springcross in reply to Wobbies]

How very refreshing Wobbies, I wonder how long it'll take for the other GPs to change him! 😁 x

[Wobbies in reply to springcross]

Not long!

[bienassis in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Is this what they also call iron deficiency anaemia? I've had that- but the doctor didn't mention anaemia of chronic disease. Perhaps they are indistinguishable - do you think that's the case?

[Wobbies in reply to bienassis]

No, I think they are different things. Nomocytic is something to do with shape of platelets etc. Marionhappydays will know.

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to bienassis]

No its not the same x

What i learnt at uni was the shape and size or red blood cells tells you alot.

normocytic means red blood cells normal size shape, this is associated with a few things 1 being anemia of chronic disease. Blood iron levels can come back normal but alot of the iron is in the tissues .

Macrocystic is big red blood cells, this can be due to not enough b12 or folate or other issues.

Microcytic is small red blood cells and can be due to low iron. So either not eating enough iron or correct type, absorption issue etc.

Its really helpful in the lab to look at the cells tells you alot.

Sorry to waffle on, I get a bit too interested in this ha ha x

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Waffle all you like, I think it is fascinating. Wish I had been into sciences but too late now.

[bienassis in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Many thanks Marion, that is very informative and well explained. I know blood can give so much information about diseases, and your experience in labs is invaluable. So never feel you are waffling on - this forum needs those who have a background such as yours to take the mystery out of haematology.

I'm very grateful.

bienassis xx

[HamHammy]

Yes I had it in the first couple of years when I first got rheumatoid arthritis. It's a good thing the docs are tested you for everything though just to make sure and rule out other causes.

[Wobbies in reply to HamHammy]

Yes I can't complain that the GP is not taking care of me. Reassuring though that so many people have had it.

[Green230461]

Sorry never heard of it but wish you all the best👍

[phebamom]

Here is what is probably going on: Anemia of inflammation (AI, also called anemia of chronic disease) is a common, typically normocytic normochromic anemia that is caused by an underlying inflammatory disease. It is diagnosed when serum iron concentrations are low despite adequate iron stores, as evidenced by serum ferritin that is not low."

I have had this for over a decade. I see a blood specialist who told me I will have it the rest of my life. I have had stomach bleeding from prednisone, but biopsy showed no stomach cancer. Am on a biologic now, Actemra, and on less prednisone, so stomach has improved. Just one more thing we have to bear with auto-immune issues. I am sure it will test out fine.

[Wobbies]

Thankyou phebamom, surprising isn't it what just pops up alongside inflammatory disease. Your post is very reassuring.