Dealing with PA as well as low iron and ferritin

[Wowo23]

HI all,

I finally got my b12 back on track, but dealing with a serious iron deficiency.

I've always been anemic. I guess that goes along with PA. But, I've been feeling extra tired and foggy. New bloodwork shows the usual low rbc, but now my Iron Sat is 5 and ferritin is 4. My doc is talking injections. I'm having a hard time with all the symptoms. I also have high UIBC, low iron, low hemoglobin and low hemacrit.

insomnia

exhaustion and weakness

brain fog

lack of appetite

anxiety

headache

Anyone here deal with this before? Any help would be appreciated

[jade_s]

It sounds like your doctor is referring to an iron infusion? In that case, from what I've read on the thyroid forum, it can really help. Your levels are really extremely low, no wonder you feel terrible. If I were you, I'd definitely followup and try to get the infusion asap. You might try googling "iron infusion" to find out what to expect, because I hear there can be some side-effects. see eg my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

It looks like your iron levels really plummeted compared to 6 months ago. Have you been supplementing iron at all?

Looking back at your last posts, did they ever get to the bottom of the GI bleed? Did they find anything during the endoscopy and colonoscopy? Do you have celiac, or have they investigated it? It's another common cause of low iron.

Sending best wishes and hope you feel better soon!

[Wowo23 in reply to jade_s]

I had to cancel the GI tests because I broke my left leg. And since I'm a right leg amputee, I had to concentrate only on healing that leg. I left a message for my doc. I want to get treatment for the iron deficiency asap. I can't get back in until the 16th. I hope they don't drag their feet. I really don't feel well

[jade_s in reply to Wowo23]

I'm so sorry to hear that. It must be very tough and I really sympathize. I can imagine you feel really terrible. Your levels are so dire that they have no excuse to drag their feet. Keep pushing & good luck!

[Wowo23 in reply to jade_s]

Thank you. I'll push them

[deniseinmilden in reply to Wowo23]

Please do - you need to feel and be better!! Don't be fobbed off by anyone, as much as it's hard to make a stand when you feel so terrible.

Good luck!

[FlipperTD]

Scientist, not medic.

Iron levels like those generally indicate chronic blood loss of some sort. Treating the deficiency is important but investigating the actual cause is vital as otherwise you are likely to carry on in this spiral. Iron deficiency, iron replacement, iron loss, and carry on.

Sorry to hear about your other problems.

Good luck.

[Wowo23 in reply to FlipperTD]

Thank you. I'll push for further testing too

[Hidden]

I had a period when I was very low in iron and ferritin which wasn't diagnosed for a while as I was being investigated for respiratory problems, and no-one thought to order a blood test. After diagnosis of a paralysed diaphragm, I was sent for a bloodtest and my Hb count was 6, ferritin 3. I had two blood transfusions and was on iron tablets for a year.6 yrs later I am having heart problems, which is related to possible damage to veins in the heart.My consultant thinks it could relate to being so anaemic. He described it as being seriously unwell with the HbC at that level. I didn't realise that there could be longer term effects. It's important to get it sorted.