Micro cystic anaemia

[John0]

Micro cystic anaemia

Symptoms being treated for 4 months with iron tablets 305 mg a day but still waiting to find underlying cause if Doctors remember

Q what underlying conditions can cause anaemia?

Q what are the tests or treatments?

[fbirder]

Although this group has 'anaemia' in its title it's about Pernicious Anaemia which is quite different from the iron deficiency anaemia you have.

Our anemia causes macrocytic (large celled), rather than microcytic (small celled) anaemia.

There are many possible causes. The NHS page has some good info. nhs.uk/conditions/iron-defi...

[FlipperTD]

I am a scientist, not a medic.

Microcytic anaemia is a symptom of an underlying cause. Iron Decificiency is a symptom of something else. Either dietary insufficiency, or increased utilisation, or both.

Chronic blood loss doesn't need to be great to tip you into negative iron balance.

It is always worth considering that the microcytic picture need not be due to iron deficiency. Thalassaemias, for instance, are inherited conditions that typically manifest as microcytosis, but they aren't caused by iron deficiency.

It's an easily answered question for the laboratory if there's an inadequate response to the iron replacement. Good luck.

[Sallybones in reply to FlipperTD]

Thanks JohnO for posting your comment and thanks FlipperTD for that snippet of information.

My private test results overview always say they point to some form of anaemia yet results are 'in range' and they're puzzled! My GP results are always borderline/satisfactory but always low RBC, normal for me apparently!! I have all the symptoms and have had for years. I self inject B12 and vitamins etc are all up. I can't regularly eat a good diet because of digestive reasons which also make pill popping difficult. I'm 60 but look 80.

I shall further explore the iron deficiency scenario.

Good luck on your journey JohnO.

[FlipperTD in reply to Sallybones]

If your results are consistent then, as you say, 'normal for you' because we know the ranges are only 95% ranges, so some normals have to sit outside them. If your results include an 'RDW' then that's a good indicator of stability. if it's raised, something's going on. [That doesn't mean anything sinister; it just indicates some change.]

If it's normal, then it's stable. It's good that you take interest in your results!

[Sallybones in reply to FlipperTD]

Hi FlipperTD thanks but there a lot of history in between to show the whole picture but it would take too long but all relevant to where I am today.

Short version: I was always borderline low for over 20 odd years with dreadful fatigue plus all other symptons which gradually got worse and worse and stopped me working in 2003. Then some of my levels dropped below normal and still it was considered still normal for me., "no action required". I had no life and am still very limited. I had to look outside the NHS for many things.

What I did find out were several old diagnoses I hadnt been told about. Some bits of the jigsaw were begining to be put into place.

I had low B12, low D3, low thyroid and in the end low everything, and still 'normal' for me apparently. I was dying in front of GP and consultants.

If you have no life you will keep seeking for help and I never give up hope.

No doubt you don't either. Keep cheerful

[FlipperTD in reply to Sallybones]

Just keep smiling, however hard it might seem. That way, it drives them all crazy!

You appear to be looking after yourself and appreciate what's going on now and in the past.

Thyroid issues can be very difficult to grasp, and with everything else you've got it's no wonder you feel ill. We're now becoming more aware of Vitamin D issues too. Good luck.