Low iron

[AnneCh1]

Hi there

I posted last week for the first time about my IF pernicious anaemia and had bloods taken as I have been feeling dreadful. GP says I have low iron and thinks I may have a bowel issue so is referring me. Can I absorb iron if I cannot absorb B12 ?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The mechanism for absorbing B12 is very specialised to one particular part of the gut - the ileum. Iron is less particular about where it is absorbed.

However, if you have PA as a diagnosis that will tend to result in your levels of stomach acidity being low and this will affect your ability to absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals from your food generally.

Other problems that affect B12 absorption - eg coeliacs and crohn's - affect the gut as a whole so would also affect iron absorption