Iron Deficient Anemaia

Well a couple of weeks ago I had found out that I was anemic again with my hemoglobin count of 9.4 and was told my iron levels were critically low. We tried the Ferrex150 iron pills for two weeks and I had my blood re tested last week and my hemoglobin came back at 9.6 and my ferritin levels were SIX. I was sent to a hemotologist yesterday as we are going to do an iron infusion once a week for the next 6 weeks and re check. I asked what the normal number is for the iron level and was told it was upwards of 400...and I'm 6. 250-400 seems to be the fairly normal range but she at least wants to get me up to 30. I guess the good thing for me at the moment is I'm not seeing any bleeding what so ever. I can only imagine this stemmed from very slow light bleeding over the last few months as I've never seen any large amounts of blood what so ever. I'm just hoping this will get rid of my fatigue, shortness of breath and the dam restless leg syndrome.

I had massive bleeding for six months some four years ago, and surprising was not anemic enough to need a blood transfusion.

However, since then I get anemic very easily. In fact, I'm anemic right now. Perhaps how much blood we have to loose to become anemic depends to a great extent on what level our blood is at to begin with.

I start my iron infusions on Monday and will see the Hemotologist at the end of the 6 weeks to get re checked. I'm going to keep taking the iron pills till then. I've noticed my stools have become much much darker since taking the iron which I see is possible with taking iron. I'll need to check with my GI after this to see how often he wants to check my iron. This is what initially put me in the hospital back in April but I know then I was bleeding quite badly. I had Iron the entire week I was in there and my Hemoglobin was going up and down the whole time.

Iron Infusions are the way to go if you are given the option. Much quicker and less "toxic" then taking large amounts of oral Iron.

Iron is poorly absorbed by the digestion track and thus takes much longer time to build up the iron stores after a flare up. My son who is 6 had low iron from flare ups... before we went the surgery route we started giving him Iron infusions. (the dr's gave it). His energy levels and Iron levels rose quickly...

The Dr. we were initially going too, never suggested the Iron infusion... we went for a 2nd opinion before going down the surgery route and that Dr. immediately told us to start getting the infusions... many benefits... We went back the 1st Dr. and he agreed... this frustrated us a bit that is took a 2nd opinion to help my son... but the 2 Dr's have different perspectives on UC and treatment.

Our Primary has a large digestive private practice... and is very involved with UC/Crohns and well respected. The 2nd Dr. is at a learning hospital and is more on the research side... and works with newer methods. Both are good points of have.

Benefits from Iron Infusion.
1. Quicker Iron Intake from Red Blood Cells -- Can improve a few points a week instead of maybe a few tenths of a point over the same time with Oral.
2. Better tolerated, less chance for the digestive system to be irritated.
3. Risk - about the same in both cases.... some may argue this...
4. More time for infusion - need to be at Dr's office or Lab... for 1 to 2 hours.
5. Higher Cost for infusion.
6. Stools don't change color.

My son was able to have 2 surgeries without needing a blood transfusion. First to remove 95% of his colon and End Ostomy. Second to do the rectal work and build a J-Pouch and Loop Ostomy. This was successfully done last week. The 1st surgery he only lost a teaspoon of blood. The 2nd one a bit more.