Anemia

[Mimigram]

I have low iron levels and so I am anemic. My doctor wants me to take 65 mg of iron tablets two times a day and if tolerated three times a day. I am now reading that iron causes cancer to grow. I have only taken the iron supplement for one week. Now I am concerned I certainly don’t want to feed my cancer. Has anyone in this group had low iron levels to the point of being anemic? If so how was it treated? Thank you

mimi

[Andersl]

Ive had low iron, low potassium and low sodium at various times during treatment. I take the appropriate supplement until my blood tests are back in range.

I would advise that you follow your drs advice but ask for regular blood tests and dose reduction when youre back in the normal range.

All the best x

[SpongebobMom]

I'd explore iron rich foods over supplements. Supplements are synthetic versions & your body doesn't always recognize them...liver is a GREAT source. Cook in cast iron as well.

[TammyCross]

I have been borderline anemic the whole time I have been in treatment. Oncologist feels it is not enough to justify a supplement. In the past, however, I got "spinach poisoning" -- too much iron. I had to cut back on spinach. No more than three times a week. I had a braised spinach recipe that I find addictive. So you might try that: overdose on spinach. My understanding is that it is always better to get nutrients through food rather than supplements. The onco-nutritionist I have been talking to says that the cancer promoting effects of nutrients comes from the high doses in supplements, not the dose you get from foods.

[Smokeyd]

I had low rbc and Onco wouldn't prescribe Ibrance (on Ibrance 125 and Letrozole). He suggested a blood transfusion or try 1 wk eating more red meat to try and increase rbc. After the wk of eating more red meat than I normally do, count actually went down (?). So I had the blood transfusion and it went up a bit and was prescribed the Ibrance again. Next mth it was slighly under amt it should be (78 and should be 80 ) but the prescribed Ibrance. I'm worried this mth it will be low again...but have been trying to eat more red meat and spinach! I dont want to have another blood transfusion! Or maybe he can just reduce the Ibrance to 100? ....fingers are double crossed lol!

[Dragonfly2]

looks like anemia is a big side effect of IBrance…I was struggling terribly. Since then I have switched to the recently approved dosing schedule…5 days on IBrance and 2 days off. This really helped low white blood cells but has improved the RBC count as well. I too am afraid of taking iron pills and my Onc is just telling me to eat a good iron rich diet. So far so good !