Anemia

[Nanny71]

Hi all

Has anyone had an iron infusion while suffering from Pmr and taking steroids 🌺

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Low level anaemia is a common part of autoimmune disease in general. Managing the autoimmune disorder is usually enough to rectify it. I know doctors have given patients iron tablets but that isn't usually the correct way to deal with the anaemia of chronic disease.

How severe is your anaemia?

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~Please can I ask why anaemia is part of a/i in general? Thanks in advance as always~

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Megams]

Inflammation affects the ability of the body to utilise iron to form red blood cells. That's why controlling the underlying disease also improves the anaemia and why just throwing iron at it doesn't improve the anaemia but can increase iron overload in the tissues which can also be a problem. It isn't as simple as just measuring the haemoglobin - they have to measure other stuff too to decide the cause.

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~Thank you PMRpro - had never known this fact. Along the way low iron has stalked me - thought it combination of lack red meat (don't enjoy) + my malabsorption issues. It's been back to liver & bacon titivated with herbs & sauce as of last week. Gave me color for a few days As always appreciate your valuable knowledge~

[Nanny71 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi

Dont really understand the results but was told they where 100 and then 97 when they should be between 130 /150. I have digestive issues which started along with the Pmr. I do eat a good diet and have had many different tests bot nothing shows up so far. Booked in for a capsule Endoscopy so hopefully this might solve it .🌺🌺

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nanny71]

What digestive issues? The figures you have been given as for haemoglobin in the blood - the stuff that makes red blood cells red. But there are several causes of that and just measuring the haemoglobin isn't enough. They are obviously checking to see if you are bleeding somewhere in the gut which is one cause of anaemia.

[Nanny71 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi

Burping excessively. Feeling sick especially in the morning. Going to the loo about 6 times pr day mostly when I get up . No weight loss though 🌺

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nanny71]

Some of us developed food intolerances about the same time as PMR - one or two developed coeliac disease. Hopefully the capsule endoscopy will identify something like that - a change in bowel habit should always be investigated.

[Nanny71 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for replies . Enjoy your day 🌺🌺