iron deficiency - something to be worry about ? - CLL Support

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iron deficiency - something to be worry about ?

Noham027 profile image
11 Replies

Hello all,

My mom has a pretty bad iron deficiency. she already received a special injection in a day hospital 4 months ago and it was fine, but here it is again, the iron is going down very low... does anyone have any idea what could be the cause of this?

thank u very much

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Noham027 profile image
Noham027
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11 Replies
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilPartnerFounder Admin

Do you know what the special injection was? In my experience iron deficiencies require an iron infusion. Anaemia can also be caused by insufficient folate (B9) or B12. Some people lack what is called intrinsic factor, which is needed to absorb B12 and may require injections of B12.

Neil

Noham027 profile image
Noham027 in reply to AussieNeil

Hello NeilYes it was an Iron infusion called Injectafer.

Here the parameters of June 3rd and 26/8 (last week).

Iron and b12
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilPartnerFounder Admin in reply to Noham027

That injectafer injectafer.com/ is an IV infusion, as I expected makes more sense.

If I'm reading the results correctly, your Mum's iron level is still in the normal range, but has dropped from 91 in June to 79 last month. Her B12 is very high in both tests.

Has your Mom been diagnosed with CLL or any other blood disease? Do you know her platelet count? Does her diet contain enough iron, or does she have difficulty taking iron supplements? Has she had an occult fecal blood stool test lately? These are only suggestions. I'm not medically trained and can only make suggestions for follow-up with your Mom's doctor. It's good that you care for her to investigate that she is being given adequate medical care

Neil

Noham027 profile image
Noham027 in reply to AussieNeil

Thank you very much for your response Neil.My mom has been diagnosed in september 2020 (CLL). She is taking imbruvica since June 2021.

Platelets:143

Diet : healthy

No Iron supplement since injectafer.

The doctor said that she has to see another physician for a colonoscopy… Hope everything will be ok.

Thanks again for your response.

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilPartnerFounder Admin in reply to Noham027

I needed an iron infusion during my treatment too. Your Mum's platelets are at a safe level, so bleeding is unlikely to be due to that. A colonoscopy is no fun - the preparation that is! I slept through mine and missed the coverage on the monitor :( .

Good to see that your Mom's doctor is being thorough. You have plenty of company in supporting a relative with CLL. May I suggest you update your bio to show that you are supporting your Mum and provide what you can about your Mum's diagnosis? That way we can better support you and your Mum. Here's the link: healthunlocked.com/profile/...

Neil

LeoPa profile image
LeoPa in reply to Noham027

What do you mean by saying her diet is healthy? So many people so many healthy diets 🙂. Does she eat iron rich foods?

Noham027 profile image
Noham027 in reply to LeoPa

Well she eats a variety of foods. lentils, some meat, poultry, fish, broccoli, princess beans, Honey etc.No junk food, no pastries, or candies, no sodas.

She really makes her best and cookes everyday… and still protéin are also a bit low

LeoPa profile image
LeoPa in reply to Noham027

That's a pretty good diet. I'd include animal livers twice a month if not yet a staple. Those are vitamin bombs.

Yalokin profile image
Yalokin

Hello, give more details if possible-hemoglobin, other blood parameters. Are there any complaints, any signs of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. The more data, the better chance someone will give you an idea. Cheers!

dougstalbans profile image
dougstalbans

I have also been told that my iron is low and I am more anaemic. I have been working on eating as healthily as possible anyway and I think that there's enough iron in my diet. I have learned that we need to use foods with vitamin c with the iron foods to ensure better absorption of the iron. I wait to see whether this is working. Nobody suggested injections but Neil is usually right so maybe this will be next.

janvog profile image
janvog

I am taking one pill of FolivanePlusCap every other day. It keeps my hgb above aenemic range. To avoid constipation I take one Colace a day and use some fiber in water . Also 2000 IU Vitamin D a day. I suppose my hematologist checks the pertinent lab tests. This all avoids guessing about special diet. But I keep a very good general diet since 50 years.

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