Anaemia anyone?

[DogAgilityObsessed]

I am wondering if anyone with PMR and/or GCA (both of which I've got/had) has also been diagnosed with anaemia. I notice that Pernicious Anaemia is another autoimmune condition.

My GP called me in as my monthly blood tests had suggested I might have anaemia. He's running more tests but of course I'm already worrying and imagining things. Or just realising that the myriad symptoms I experience may all be connected.

I'm on 20mg LEF and 6mg pred. I also take Omeprazole which I read can affect B12 levels. I'm vegetarian and take a B12 supplement.

[Potatohead2]

Hi

My blood tests which led to diagnosis of PMR in May this year also showed that I was anaemic. Think it was anaemia of chronic disease which is caused by inflammation. After taking Pred my most recent blood tests were fine for anaemia and my platelets which had been very high were almost in normal range.

Don’t know if this is any help to you but at least you know you are not alone and it can resolve.

[Hidden in reply to Potatohead2]

Hi, yes, I was found to have iron deficiency anaemia earlier this year and am still taking iron capsules 2-3 times a week. Five weeks ago I was diagnosed with PMR which I think I have had in the background for a while. It certainly explains a few things.

[Zebedee44]

I was found to have anaemia after reporting a faint to my GP and extensive blood tests have found that I have MGUS (monoclonal gammography of unspecified significance) which is a blood protein disorder but ALSO inflammation of the stomach lining. The latter probably caused by stomach acids caused by pred and resulting in poor absorption of vitamins and minerals from my diet.

I thought an increase of iron in my vegetarian diet would help but I’m not so sure and waiting to be advised by haematology and gastro of any treatment.

Do you have sore creases at the side of your mouth which won’t go away? They often indicate iron and vitamin deficiency.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to Zebedee44]

I have had more cold sores in my mouth recently. I eat greens of one sort or another most days so wouldn’t have thought it was an iron deficiency.

Interesting what you say about stomach acids. Presumably that’s why they tell us to take a PPI like omeprazole. But I’ve also read that that can cause vit deficiency.

[PastelsinArt]

My haemoglobin was just below normal level at a routine blood test and looking back it had been borderline for about 6 months. However I was also getting increased PMR symptoms. Apparently the inflammation can cause low haemoglobin. A small increase in Pred, from 4mg to 5.5 helped both my aches and the blood levels. I'm continuing with the iron tablets for the meantime as ferritin level is still a bit low and GP will review this in 3 months.

[Lickle]

Hi, My blood tests have been showing anaemia for a year now. I've been sent for every test imaginable from Gastroenterology, Colonoscopy, Urology, & CT Scan and all have shown me ok apart from a couple of polyps that were removed and non-malignant. I take Folic Acid supplements but still the blood tests show anaemia.

Don't know where we go next, but apart from the PMR am feeling ok. Am tapering the Pred down to 7mg daily now. My next blood test is due in October so await then.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to Lickle]

Mmmm so I shouldn’t get my hopes up for a diagnosis! When I looked at the typical symptoms I thought “Yes that’s me!” But in fairness I thought I was doing ok until my GP summons. Just a general feeling of being whacked and breathless on top of muscle aches and other little things I put down to age and post PMR.

[Lickle in reply to DogAgilityObsessed]

I get a tiredness around 3pm daily, nod off for half hour to an hour then am fine again. Again, I put that down to the Pred and PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is a form of anaemia called the anaemia of chronic disease

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

It should be identified - as should other potential problems - by a full blood count which includes all the haematology parameters.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to PMRpro]

Yes it was the FBC that alerted my GP who has now ordered more tests to specifically look at B12 iron and folic acid.

Thank you for the link.