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Babesia, Iron, and Flagyl

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Posted 8/24/2020 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Lately, I've begun to wonder if I am actually dealing with Babesia in addition to Lyme and/or Bartonella.

My serum iron level in past would run at high end of normal or just over normal level. It dropped over the last month or two (wasn't taking Flagyl) to where it was optimal about two weeks ago. Well, I just received my safe lab results and serum iron was perhaps higher than I've ever seen - it was 201, range is 27-159. I had taken Flagyl again about three weeks prior I believe.

I'm not sure if there is a connection with Flagyl. I read elsewhere on this site where someone's doctor had told them that Flagyl and Tinidazole could irritate Babesia but not do much to kill it. Has anyone here ever noticed that Flagyl would stir up Babesia? Any thoughts?
Posted 8/24/2020 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
wouldnt it make your iron low due to rbc being affected by Babesia?
Posted 8/24/2020 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe, but this is what makes me wonder.

https://www.healthline.com/health/serum-iron#abnormal-results

"Abnormally high iron serum levels may mean you’ve consumed too much iron, vitamin B-6, or vitamin B-12. High levels of iron may indicate:

hemolytic anemia or hemolysis: your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells
liver conditions: such as hepatic necrosis (liver failure) and hepatitis
iron poisoning: you’ve taken more than the recommended dose of iron supplements
iron overload: your body naturally retains too much iron"

It's said that Babesia can cause hemolytic anemia and here it appears that high levels of iron (seems to be serum) could indicate this condition.

I noticed in a thread I did on this forum awhile back that my serum iron level spiked after starting Dr. J's Lyme Babesia protocol. It's about at the same level now as it was then.

After I took Flagyl this last time, my symptoms that flared made me wonder if I am dealing with Babesia especially considering the fact that I don't seem to be any better off now than I was before the flare.

I'm on Rifampin and Biaxin and just started Ivermectin.

Post Edited (ChristianWithLyme) : 8/24/2020 3:22:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/25/2020 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Bart can cause Hemolysis also ( infects red blood cells and can cause them to break up - or the body to attack them)

I have it pop us as unusual blood test results and other issues high bilirubin, sudden gallstones, and it has shown up on one blood smear test results as misshapen red blood cells one occasion.

typically this can be cyclic or occasional with Bart.

also can be caused by high levels of oxidative stress - common with Lyme and co
and also with liver dysfunction - again common with Lyme and Bart
Posted 8/25/2020 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I think i would either get tested - the FISH test seems pretty good for Babesia

or try a focussed anti-pyroplast (blood parasite ) drug - eg Malarone or artemisinin
Posted 8/27/2020 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
As someone who's struggled with hemolytic anemia that I assume was from babesia (positive test with initial Lyme diagnosis), I've never had low ferritin or low iron test results. Just my personal experience.

Any symptoms that are thought of as more specific to babs.. night sweats, air hunger?
Posted 8/27/2020 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Also, how has your red blood cell count been?
Posted 8/27/2020 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Red blood cell count has been normal, actually more toward upper side of normal.

I noticed some similarities between how I felt after starting Dr. J's Babesia protocol (it was too much for me) and how I felt after taking Flagy this last time. Worse fatigue, weakness, numbness in extremities, worse brain fog (sluggish), etc. If any sweating, it was only minor. Possibly some minor breathing issues. I've had air hunger in the past.

I started Ivermectin and seem to have worsened symptoms including my head, neck, and limbs. Thinking at this point that at next appointment, we'll have to try targeting Babesia more. Maybe cover Babs and Bart pretty well.
Posted 8/27/2020 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
“ I started Ivermectin and seem to have worsened symptoms including my head, neck, and limbs. Thinking at this point that at next appointment, we'll have to try targeting Babesia more. “

Good plan. Dr J likes to treat Babs early on before targeting bart
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