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iron deficient anemia

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Posted 4/1/2012 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I'm hoping someone out there can give me some information. I went to the doctors for swollen ankles, legs, feet and hands. They ran blood work and fount that I am severely anemic. They immediately sent me to a hematologist who wanted to do an iron transfusion and have my GI do tests to figure out where I am bleeding. I am female but do not get my period so that quickly ruled that out. So far I have had an endoscopy, colonoscopy and a CT Enterography (I haven't gotten that result yet, just had that done yesterday). If that finds nothing I have to have the video capsule endoscopy. I'm following my GI's advice to not have the iron transfusion at this time and just take iron pills. I am taking mega doses and have had my blood work done again and my numbers are still too low. My ferrutin level is 2 and the hematologist told me it was supposed to be 8 (on the low side). So I have virtually no iron stores right now. Does anyone know what tests would follow the video camera? No one has told me anything of what is next. I can't go on being exhausted all the time, I can't enjoy anything and work is hard even though I sit at a desk all day. Has anyone had the iron transfusion? My GI told me there have a lot of side effects and that's why he strongly does not recommend it. I don't know what to do anymore, I'm just too tired. I sometimes fall asleep when I'm eating, that's pretty pathetic but unhelpable.

thanks all.
Posted 4/1/2012 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
My son had the iron transfusion and he had a reaction to it (fever, sweating) so the doctors didn't want to give him any more. They said it was very unusual to have a reaction. Have you tried liquid iron supplement? I have found that the angstrom iron is excellent at raising levels. It is from Angstrom Minerals. What other supplements are you taking?
Posted 4/1/2012 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
i've had about 7 iron infusions and my only reaction was brownish colored urine. at the time, i was also flaring and feeling like crap so i doubt i would've noticed a reaction anyway.
Posted 4/1/2012 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
For years, I was borderline anemic, too.
Iron pills would cause side effects like nausea or constipation.

I now take a multivitamin.... Alive! Once Daily Women's Ultra Potency (contains iron) by Nature's Way.
Also make a point of eating iron-rich foods like raisins, etc.
Posted 4/1/2012 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting your doctors views. I hate iron pills, I have a lot of GI side effects from iron pills and don't find them that effective. I have had a few iron infusions with no side effects. I like them because they make me feel better almost immediately. I notice an affect within a day or two with my energy.

To me if you are severely anemic to the point it is affecting your life you won't see results fast enough from pills. Lots of folks on the Crohn's board have had iron infusions as well with out ill effect.
Posted 4/1/2012 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Dilbertsmom, I suppose they want to do the pillcam to see if you have inflammation in the small bowel. This can cause bleeding, but also malabsorption, which would make it hard to get substantial benefit from iron pills. If you do have inflammation in the small bowel you should treat it (and you'd get a Crohn's diagnosis I guess) and hope to achieve remission there and improve your nutritional absorption.

I had iron deficient anemia involving very low ferritin, but I was able to bring my iron up with pills over about 6 months. I also know that I have Crohn's and I was taking Pentasa at the time (which is effective in the small bowel as well as the colon). I did eventually get better. Finally I went gluten-free, which I think has really helped with my nutritional absorption.

I hope you feel better soon.
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