PMR and anaemia

[Koalajane]

Hi, I was wondering how many people with PMR are also anaemic?

Please comment if you are,

[SnazzyD]

Hello, this comes up quite a lot. You’ll get all the posts and discussion if you pop anaemia in the top right PMRGCAUK search box. That’ll get you started until someone more expert gets back to you.

[Carol-mc]

Hi, I believe a lot of people with PMR get steroid-induced anaemia, I had it when on 20mg pred but it disappeared as I tapered down. I also ate iron-rich foods, liver, chicken, dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, nuts, eggs & took Vit C to help with absorption, there is a lot of information on-line re iron rich nutrition. I gather liver is one of the most iron-rich sources of food, I hate it, but still have it once a fortnight, just in case!

[Daisychain12 in reply to Carol-mc]

Oh liver ew horrible you are brave! Xxx

[Conundrum]

My first blood tests for diagnosis revealed anaemia, I am veggie but take Solgar V2000 vit & min supplement, so I was surprised and that was before Pred.

[piglette]

I was having an op recently and was asked by a nurse, why are you anaemic, I did not even know I was anaemic. Anyway they gave me a blood transfusion. I now go out hunting when the moon is full!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

“I used to be a werewolf.... but I’m alright nooooooow!

Luv it! Seems appropriate with all the side effects of Pred!

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

Yummy yummy, the red stuff!

[HeronNS]

Anaemia is very common with auto immune disorders I believe. I had very low iron, sorted with liquid iron supplement, diagnosed before I started pred.

[Daisychain12]

My rapid descent into very low ferritin was one of the clues leading to my diagnosis xxx

[CT-5012]

Two years after diagnosis of PMR/GCA I became anaemic. Fully investigated but no cause found.

[enan-illuc]

Koalajane,

I became anemic due to PMR/GCA and this was before I started on Prednisone. Once on Prednisone my anemia went away/dorment. I had never been anemic before PMR/GCA and my blood is fine now. I hope this helps.

Enan

[Mary63]

Never been tested. Thats how well my GP looks after me!

[Vanner460]

After 4 years on pred I was diagnosed with Anaemia in March. 3 blood transfusions (total of 5 units), bone biopsy 3 weeks ago (2 holes because my hard bone bent the first needle). Consultant appointment on Tuesday to get the result.

[chillipeppergirl32]

Hi Koalajane , I was told I was anemic when first diagnosed with PMR&GCA back in June this year(2018) .i think you can be anemic from the amount of white blood cell activity going on from the PMR inflammation and all that ( not medical terms obviously) I am sure someone with a better understanding of why this happens will answer your question soon .I have been put on folic acid tablets for four months along with my Pred .

[Omanain]

My tests showed I was anaemic at the time I was diagnosed with PMR. I have not been anaemic before so I think the PMR caused it. Fortunately my partner and I both like liver so we have started having it once a week. I don't know if it has made any difference as I haven't had a test since.

[Marijo1951]

I was definitely anaemic when my GCA/PMR symptoms first manifested. I think there must have been a connection but my dopey GP didn't see it, despite the other markers in my blood test being far from normal.

[PMRSUE]

Hi, yes I had very low ferritin levels and my GP prescribed a 6 month course of Sytron liquid iron as my stomach couldn't tolerate any of the tablets. I now take over the counter Feroglobin tabs containing low dose iron, vitamin B12 and folic acids, to keep my levels topped up.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Hi. If you google "anaemia of chronic disease" you will get all the answers but basically...

This type of anaemia (there are different types of anaemia) occurs with autoimmune inflammatory diseases. For those of us with PMR /GCA it's because the raised levels of the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 6 affects the lifecycle of the red blood cells and their production becomes impaired. The rd blood cells don't have the oxygen carrying capacity that they would normally have because the IL6 affects the hormone which allows the red blood cells to take up iron and convert it to haemaglobin. Iron levels in serum and tissues can be raised but the amount of iron in the red blood cells is low hence fatigue, tiredness, palid complexion. As the steroids reduce the levels of inflammation then the body can use the available iron and restore haemaglobin levels to normal.

It is not common for steroids themselves cause the anaemia as there are reports of long term steroids being used to treat certain types of anaemia. However it is possible that for some patients, the steroids could cause gastric or intestinal blood loss which could result in anaemia. Medicine is not an exact science!!

Anaemia of chronic disease is one of the diagnostic markers used in the diagnosis of PMR and GCA because it is commonly found in thess patient groups.

Hope this helps.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As already commented - anaemia is common in chronic diseases

irondisorders.org/anemia-of...

I was never anaemic, despite 5 years untreated PMR, my haemoglobin was always above 16. My ferritin level though is the only acute phase indicator (sign of inflammation) that is recognisably raised, ESR remains in normal range although raised for me and CRP is stubbornly normal.

[Sallyaches]

I have been anemic despite taking oral iron and undergoing numerous tests. My anaemia occurred before the diagnosis. My rheumatologist said it was probably the anaemia of chronic I’ll health. True enough once the inflammation was under control with prednisone my haemoglobin levels have crept up. A lot is going on in our bodies with PMR it’s not just muscle aches.

[4840]

Recently I started taking a daily Iron capsule with vitamin C for absorption daily, and I have been feeling less fatigued and more energized. There is a correlation with PMR especially since I have been border lined anemic all my life.