PA and iron deficiency

[madness07]

Hi everyone

Its been a while since I last wrote. So after long fight and many check ups as well as consult with haematologist I have been diagnosed with PA and began my injections. However recently I was feeling very bad (I have suspected hashimoto) so I went for a check up and my results didn't surprise me tsh is elevated, what surprised me is iron deficiency and low haemoglobin. I started supplementation.

What concerns me is that gp is blaming my diet even after PA diagnosis and says none of it is related (b12 iron and thyroid) is that really not related? Is it really my diet? I would like to point I love meat I love eggs I love all this stuff and that's what I eat... First time my thyroid acted up PA popped out, now my thyroid is acting up and my iron popped out.

Please share your experience with me.

Thanks a lot

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi madness07 make sure your Folate level is good

"Folic acid is crucial for proper brain functioning and plays an important role in mental and emotional health. It helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material, especially when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as during infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body. Vitamin B9 works with vitamins B6 and B12 and other nutrients in controlling the blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine.

Rich sources of folate include spinach, dark leafy greens, asparagus, turnip, beets, and mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, lima beans, soybeans, beef liver, brewer's yeast, root vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, bulgur wheat, kidney beans, white beans, lima beans, salmon, orange juice, avocado, and milk. In addition, all grain and cereal products in the US are fortified with folic acid."

[fbirder]

If you have PA then you have Autoimmune Gastric Atrophy. As well as stopping B12 absorption AGA means your stomach doesn't produce enough acid and you need acid to get the iron in your food into solution.

You can buy iron supplements in a special form (chelates) that is more soluble. I use Solgars Gentle Iron, which is the bisglycinate.

[madness07 in reply to fbirder]

My gp gave me a prescription for iron so that's what I take. It's first time I hear about aga, I need to read about this thanks

[fbirder in reply to madness07]

It's almost certain that your doctor prescribed iron sulfate. That will also be difficult to absorb.

One way to help is to that them with something with a lot of citric acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Orange juice is a good source of both. They will chelate the iron and help it get into solution.

[madness07 in reply to fbirder]

It's ferrous fumarate, so I don't know doesn't say anything else on the label. Will start vitC thanks

[fbirder in reply to madness07]

Fumarate is good stuff, already chelated so it should be absorbed well.