advice about iron infusion

[Divii]

I am a patient of young onset Parkinson’s; currently 40 yrs old. On Levodopa and dopamine agonists like ropinorole and pramipexole. Lately hemoglobin levels has fallen quite a lot from 11.1 gm% in Jan 2024. Restless legs increasing too. have terrible constipation; my gut muscles slower than an Aged tortoise 🐢

Because of menstruation, currently feeling very weak and tired. I am wondering if I need Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and iv iron; also colonoscopy.

oral iron may increase constipation.

[Nackapan]

I think you are on the wrong forum.Pernicious Anaemia is not iron defiency but an auto immune condition. Or low absorbtion of b12 .

I hope you get help on another forum.

[charks]

Have a look at this article

ucsf.edu/news/2018/03/40999....

It may be you need B12 not iron.

[Technoid]

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Thats a hell of a word.

[GoneWithTheWind1972]

Hi Divii,

I’m not medically qualified. As you have Parkinson’s, I have a family friend who also has this and she has benefited from taking methylcobalamin sublingually as she said it helps with her Parkinson’s symptoms. Since this condition also affects the central nervous system just like pernicious anaemia and B12 deficiency. You do have a slightly lower haemoglobin count and ferritin count but the other iron levels are in normal range. Have you had an infection recently? Menstruation can also deplete haemoglobin and iron levels. You can benefit from a repeat pathology test in a few months time to see if they come back into normal range. Certain medications can affect your bone marrow production hence a low haemoglobin count. If you dislike oral iron supplements you can also consider an iron infusion. Also, you may need to consider if you’re losing blood from another source ie, gastrointestinally such as stomach polyps or in your bowels, it’s worth investigating this also. Best of luck to you.

[FlipperTD]

Hi Divii

I am a scientist, not a medic.

Your results and history you give us tell a story. You mention your periods making you tired. Is this the cause of your iron deficiency? Very little blood loss will soon add up to iron deficiency, and that's where I'd start investigating. A gynaecologist might be a better starting point than having your entire GI tract scoped and investigated. If the source of excess bleeding can be sorted then your iron status should repair itself.

Good luck. I hope you find help soon.

[jointpain]

I would say get a ferinject as soon as you can, your iron stores are very low. My wife has ferinject when hers are at 15! She feels better within a week or two.

[Cornwaller]

Hi Divii,

Apologies for not answering your question.

However, you may find this of interest.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

There is a Facebook group about the therapy and also a book by Daphne Bryan which is available from Amazon.

If you already know about this or it is not of interest then please accept my apologies.

With best wishes.

[Orchard33]

Heme iron does not necessarily cause or worsen constipation. But the gut does need time (for me a month) to stabilize after a powerful input.