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Crohn's Disease
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Posted Today 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am a male 65 years old and have Crohn's disease; but since being diagnosed in 2010, I have never suffered from any symptoms besides gas and at times stomach upsets. So, given this fact, is it possible to have borderline anemia (Hemoglobin 13.1) with normal levels of iron and B12 in the blood?
By the way, I take no medicine for the CD. However, I have been taking Floredix, 20 ml daily for about 3 months, but without any luck increasing my Hemoglobin. Also take a digestive enzyme with each meal to combat my gas issue. It has not been a perfect solution, but certainly very acceptable.
I would appreciate your comments. Erwin
Posted Today 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Erwin, for years I have suffered from low hemoglobin levels and all efforts to raise them were in vain. As I'm suffering from malnurtition and by choice boycott a lot of food, my GI forces me to take Ensure 3 times/day. He tried all possible meds and even injections to raise my hemoglobin level but it was always a failure. The last blood work showed that my hemoglobin level was 12 (borderline for females) which I haven't seen in years. Of course, Ensure did that. As for the B levels, I take B complex injections every now and then and I'm allowed to repeat them whenever my energy level declines provided that it is every 4 or 5 days and not less than that.
Take care :)
Posted 12/3/2013 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Erwin,
Your doc can order more advanced iron blood tests which can look as iron stores, and can help the doctor to differentiate the type of anemia you have such as iron deficiency anemia from blood loss, vs chronic disease. If your Crohn's is causing ongoing bleeding in your intestinal tract, they will want to know the source of the bleeding and it you need to change your medication. I have had pretty good success with iron infusions. They bypass your GI tract so they don't cause GI upset, and they last much longer and work more quickly than oral iron. If the oral iron and injections are not working, then I think an iron infusion is your next step.
Posted 12/3/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
13.1 sounds like a normal hemoglobin level to me, but I'm female. The minimum normal level for a male is 13.5 according to the Mayo clinic website, so you have anemia. I'm not sure it's meaningful to call it "borderline."

The best way to increase hemoglobin is to eat iron-rich food.

Of course, your anemia is probably due to poor absorption because of your Crohn's disease. I suppose I could recommend that you treat your Crohn's, but you don't seem to be interested in that solution.

I adopted a gluten free diet a few years ago and that seemed to resolve my chronic anemia. Perhaps that's an option you'd consider.

Posted 12/3/2013 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Iron infusions are what I have also. I am on B12 shots once a month and liquid folid acid. When you supplement one of these three it can throw the other two off that is why my GI has me on folic acid as well. If your iron is low you will feel tired and have shortness of breath. Are your finger nail beds pink? Your lower eye lids?

Julia
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