Aneamia from taking methotrexate

[TMAblue]

Has anyone had aneamia caused by methotrexate? My dose was increased not long ago to 15mg (also take hydroxychloroquine) and I've just been for blood tests at the gp full blood count for symptoms of bad fatigue and feeling lightheaded when walking/standing.

[rmros]

I don't think it's uncommon with methotrexate unfortunately as it is a folate-depleting medicine. I have macrocytic anaemia caused by my medications and my red cell count is often a little low but my Hb is usually just about okay. Do you take any anti-inflammatories?

I hope you get to the bottom of the cause of your symptoms soon and can treat it.

[TMAblue in reply to rmros]

Thank you. Yes I'm taking ibuprofen every day morn and night.

[Taichigirl in reply to TMAblue]

Hi I have always been told that you can’t take ibuprofen with methotrexate. They don’t mix well. It’s worth asking your pharmacist xx

[rmros in reply to TMAblue]

Then that is possibly the cause, rather than the methotrexate. Make sure your doctor knows you are taking it.

[welsh12]

Do you know you have anaemia from your bloods I had these symptoms on Methotrexate but didn't have anaemia also take hydroxychloroquine my dose was the highest reduced now

[TMAblue in reply to welsh12]

I've just had a full blood count at GPs but not had results yet.

[sylvi]

I am suffering with anaemia at the moment and it is really hard especially with breathing. I have always been borderline anaemic for a long while and i used to take a iron supplement which has kept it at bay until just recently. I am on iron tablets now and though it is slow coming back up i am getting there which is good. xxxxx

[TMAblue in reply to sylvi]

Ah OK. I hope you'll feel better soon xx

[sylvi in reply to TMAblue]

Thank you darling, xxx

[Farahal]

I take the same medication as you do. I have been plagued by dizzy spells, lightheadness, feeling sick and shortness of breath for nearly 18 mths. I have been to go. They don’t know why is happening but not that interested really. The finally did a blood test and said anemia. Prescribed iron tablets. They do increase my iron levels but it tails off after while and I end up back where I began.

I have done some reading up on the methotrexate and it said it could cause anemia. The gp said no it could not be the methotrexate. I have been trying to get appointment with the Rheumatologist but am having no luck there either.

I am throughly fed as it is having a very bad effect on me physically and limiting what I am able to do ever mind the impact on my mental health.

Sorry it’s a bit long. I hope you get sorted out soon.

[TMAblue in reply to Farahal]

Thanks for replying. That's awful and so long to feel like that. A paramedic told me it could be methotrexate causing aneamia and advised to get blood tests with gp. Waiting for results. Hope you get somewhere with this x

[CoastalLiving]

Very interesting that it is potentially MXT causing anaemia. I was taking MXT pills and Hydroxy at the start of the year and had such terrible side effects I stopped. Finally starting the whole process again - hydroxy first and will try my first MXT Pen on Sunday 😬😬

Anyway I think I discovered I was anaemic before trying the meds and had read it was quite common with autoimmune and specifically RA. It has been my GP who has been the most supportive with this and Rheumatology don't even talk about it with me. Last year I started on B12 injections as it seemed to be the cause and I wasn't absorbing the tablets but my red blood cell count is low again ... fatigue is high and breathlessness and dizzy spells. GP has ordered more tests so don't yet have an answer but was hopeful - now concerned that MXT is going to add to this 😬😬

[TMAblue in reply to CoastalLiving]

Thanks for the reply. That's interesting about B12. I'm waiting for blood test results and a call from gp. X

[CoastalLiving in reply to TMAblue]

Good luck with the results, hope they provide something useful. x

[KylaC in reply to TMAblue]

Yes really interesting I am on methotrexate 20mg for about 15 yrs now and about 10 yrs ago also diagnosed with pernicious anemia so had vit b12 injections and been on vit b12 tablets (cyancobalamin) for most or them, never considered ot may be the metho

[RainbowLeopard]

My iron levels dropped after I started MTX and I was really fatigued. I had a chat with my rheumatologist and have been taking iron supplements which seem to be helping. My iron levels are still at the low end of normal, but not at the too-tired-to-do-anything level (so a big improvement!). Hope you find something that works for you.

[TMAblue in reply to RainbowLeopard]

Thank you x

[Yellow-mellow1205]

I'm on the same dose of methotrexate as yourself, I've not been diagnosed with anemia but have had those symptoms over the last 3 or 4 months. I'm getting my thyroid function checked and my blood pressure. Hope you get this resolved soon xxx

[TMAblue in reply to Yellow-mellow1205]

Thanks for replying. I also have an underactive thyroid and have taken medication for that for years. I was very tired before getting diagnosed but one on right dose much better. X

[Blackberrywine]

I've certainly had anaemia. I can't remember now if I was on methotrexate at tge time. Hope you feel better soon. Anaemia us awful.

[TMAblue]

Thank you x

[Chockyuk]

Hello, sorry to hear about this. I was severely anaemic, my ferritin was 12. I couldn’t take the iron pills as I also have IBS, and they made my tummy worse. Anyway in desperation I went (on the recommendation of a friend) to see a specialist in Cambridge (who is actually a consultant anaesthesiologist but he has a particular interest in anaemia and pernicious anaemia- he’s quite well known in that field) and had iron infusion. He did mention to me that it’s actually the autoimmune antibodies that stop the body from absorbing iron, I think that’s what he said, he drew me a diagram. I also mentioned how easily I bruise and he did say that would be the Methotrexate. Anyway, I feel much better now since the infusion, so much more energy, but now my liver is playing up, after 5 years of being on MTHX with hardly any problems. I did wonder if it was the high dose of iron, plus taking Mthx and Sulfasalazine has caused it, who knows 🤷‍♀️ maybe my body is just rebelling against the methotrexate 😂

Oh, and he also mentioned, low iron can also affect the thyroid. Never having problems before, my Rheumatologist had done a thyroid test and ferritin before when I complained of being very fatigued and turns out my thyroid was also underactive, I’m now on levothyroxine.

This may be true as my DIL has recently been diagnosed with a different autoimmune condition and her thyroid is also now underactive and she has low iron.

I’m eternally grateful we can take DMARDS, without them I would be bedridden for sure, but they’re tricky meds to take for some people because of the side effects.

I hope you get yours sorted, extreme fatigue is just awful.

👍

[TMAblue in reply to Chockyuk]

Thanks for the reply. I also take levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid. That was diagnosed quite a while ago before RA. They have told me my blood tests are OK but blood pressure is high and need to keep a check o n that. Still very fatigued ringing doctors again soon X

[MerielPB]

I am on 15mg of mtx and have recently developed anaemia. I have been fully investigated for other possible causes. I don't know if it's the mtx or just anaemia of chronic disease.

[Biker52]

I have been taking 20mg methotrexate for eighteen months…initially oral and injection for a year….alongside hydroxychloroquine and 5 mg folic acid six days a week for RA.

My recent blood test show a low level of haemoglobin, the ferritin level is on the low side of normal and CRP is .78.

GP has run other tests which are ok so far…just need to do a urine dip test this week….and she has prescribed iron tablets for a month and then repeat blood tests.

I had one hip replaced in July and the other in September….the blood test was six weeks post op.

I am struggling with a high level of anxiety about this situation which isn’t helping….loss of appetite and poor sleep. When I mentioned the methotrexate to the GP she was dismissive about it and when I phoned the Rheumatology Helpline I was told to leave it to the GP! I was due a review in August and have phoned to check when this will happen to be told that there is a delay.

I hope that you get sorted and sorry to use your post to offload!