I am 53 and have 600 ferritin 71% iron saturation. I have done phlebotomy 2 weeks in a row. hemoglobin is now 132 . Therefore I could not give blood. Why is my Hemoglobin low when my iron is high. By the way my ferritin dropped to 475
View 2 RepliesI have not long found out that I have hemochromatosis (iron overload) as well as hepatitis C (very stable with normal LFT). My venesection attempts were unsuccessful due to small veins, so I was put on Rx Exjade 14 days ago to chelate the excess iron. It gives me liver and kidney pains - its side effects involve liver and kidney issues and possible failure of. I have just got the results of my liver function and was very surprised had all my liver enzymes have risen significantly in such a short time. I have ceased taking Exjade as of today. Is there any other less invasive chelate?
View 3 RepliesI initially found out I had mild iron deficiency about 6 months ago and the GP didn't tell me to take anything. I've been taking floradix on/off (finished a bottle) and redid my blood work with a new GP. The results seem to have gotten slightly worse, but this new GP also just recommended to take a multivitamin. Neither doctor seemed concerned. Anyway, here are the latest results (this new doctor didn't test ferritin; my old result 6 months ago was a 3)
Hemoglobin - 11 (low)
MCV - 78 (low)
MCH - 25.2 (low)
RDW - 15.6% (high)
TIBC - 538 (high)
UIBC - 480 (high)
Iron Saturation - 11% (low)
Iron Serum - 58 (normal)
Vitamin B12 - 348 (normal)
Anyone know exactly how bad my case is? I am located in NYC; if anyone has a good doctor that takes iron deficiency more seriously, can they recommend the doctor?
These were done during a regular physical exam and my regular dr. said I was definitely anemic, but she never did do an iron panel. After thinking back on my symptoms, I had several..headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, rapid heart rate with exertion, and shortness of breath with exertion. Three weeks ago I was started on iron supplements. Here are my abnormals or near low normals from 3 weeks ago:
RBC 5.45 (4.00-5.36)
Hgb 12.5 (12-16)
MCV 74 (81-98)
MCHC 30.9 (31.2-35.2)
RDW 24.2 (11.0-14.5)
anisocytosis present
hypochromasia present
ovalocytes present
She determined that my anemia was due to menorrhagia and I then made an appt. with a GYN.
The GYN looked at these labs and said this is NOT anemia. She then ordered an iron panel, which she said was normal:
Iron 142
TIBC 356
Ferritin 14
She called today and again said this is not anemia, but some other blood issue must be going on. She mentioned thalassemia and suggested that my regular dr. refer me to a hematologist. I am so frustrated and confused. I can't see my regular dr. until Mon. but I'm thinking it's still anemia?
Here are my lab results:
WBC 6.6 (4-10.8)
Ly 25.8 (20.5-51.1)
Mo 9.7 (1.7-9.3)
Gr 64.5 (42.2-75.2)
Rbc 3.74 (4.2-6.1)
Hgb 10 (12-18)
Hct 30.3 (37-52)
Mcv 80.9 (81-99.9)
Much 26.8 (27-31)
Mchc 33.1 (33-37)
Rdw 14.5 (12-15)
Plt 218 (130-400)
Mpv 8.2 (5-10)
My iron and ferritin were normal (don't have a copy of the results, just was told they are normal). Also, b12 and d are normal.
What kind of anemia does this look like? I DO have a history of iron deficient anemia, but my ferritin was like a 3.
Below are my symptoms. Saw the doc about a week ago, and symptoms are much worse than then. I am on an iron supplement.
Extreme exhaustion
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Extreme lightheadedness/dizzy spells/near syncope
Basically I am hardly functional. I have gone home early and missed a couple days of work, because I literally couldn't do it. I have had to spend almost whole days in bed. Very small things wear me out. I was placing items in a box (that was on my lap) at work today and got weak and short of breath.
Does this not seem crazy for a hgb of 10?? I have been in the 8 range, and while I felt really, really bad, I was not this dysfunctional.
Also, I have been having the dizzy spells/lightheadedness/near syncope and some actual syncope for over a year. The drs are still trying to figure this out. They are a good deal worse right now.
Any thoughts or advice?
I had a baby back in April 2014 at which time my other labs were within normal limits except for my Hgb and Hct (7 and 24 I believe). I recently followed up with my primary care doctor for symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath (especially with exertion), and the biggest symptom- extreme fatigue. When I get up in the morning I feel like I've never slept, and by the afternoon I feel like I need to go back to bed for the rest of the day. I realize I have a 3, almost 4 month old baby, but she sleeps through the night for the most part, so it's not like I'm not sleeping at all through the night. I had labs drawn last week and the main results were as follows:
Ferritin, Serum- 7 (15-150)
TIBC- 415 (250-450)
UIBC- 368 (150-375)
iron saturation- 11 (15-55 %)
iron, serum- 47 (35-155)
rbc- 4.93 (3.77-5.28)
hemoglobin- 11.5 (11.1-15.9)
hematocrit- 37.5 (34.0-46.6)
mcv- 76 (79-97)
mch- 23.3 (26.6-33.0)
mchc- 30.7 (31.5-35.7)
rdw- 17.1 (12.3-15.4)
platelets- 317
WBCs, Thyroid, B12, and HgA1C all looked good. From what I've read, it seems that I may have iron deficiency, but because the hemoglobin and hematocrit are within normal limits it is not classified as anemia. What I don't understand is I just spoke with my Dr. office, and the nurse said the doctor checked off my lab results and didn't put a note in that she needed to see me for a follow-up. The nurse asked me if I had any concerns about my lab results. I guess I'm just not sure if my lab results are "off" enough to be causing my symptoms, or if something else is going on. Should I be started on iron supplements? I'm just not sure where to go from here.
has anyone stuck with a low iron diet. Have you found the results to be beneficial. I will do anything to avoid more blood draws!
View 2 Repliesanemia and iron overload at the same time.
View 7 RepliesMy 11 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with juvenile hemochromatosis. We have been waiting on her gene test for quite a few months due to the most common tests not showing anything, we have now been told she is carrying one of the genes for this disease but it wouldn't be the only reason she has iron overload. Has anyone else been in this position or know of any other reason other than hemochromatosis that could cause iron overload?. We are not due to see the doctor until October to go over her results in detail and she is referring her case to two professors in Cambridge as yet again we seem to have hit a brick wall.
View 6 RepliesI was diagnosed with Hemochromatosis over 1 years and undertook regular blood lettings until my ferritin dropped from 700 ish to 35.
The reason I knew something was up was because I was tired, stressed and my emotions were just not what the use to be. I also felt as if I was in a constant brain fog.
However, even know with my reduced levels I don't feel great. I have undertaken some EDTA Chelation and feel great when this is done, having checked my bloods before and after - this reduces my iron, ferritin and Transferrin Saturation.
Is there a way to reduce TS to normal or near normal levels.
Does anyone else dread Routine Blood Tests scared that they are going to detect some "Blood Cancer"? I've been looking up Leukemia and Lymphoma symptoms all morning. I'm getting a CBC for Fertility treatments.
View 1 Repliesi am not overweight. Drink a healthy smoothie and whole grain cereal almost every morning yet my BP is still high. (100/170). I was told it may be because of elevated insulin levels caused by the fruit drinks and whole grains (as well as the potato, rice, pasta and breads) that I eat. These are things that easily break down into sugars and cause the issue. (Basically a carb issue). Am I supposed to go on one of those caveman diets? Has anyone tried lowering their carb intake to lower their BP?
View 53 RepliesHi, Is is possible to have a high heart rate while at the same time a normal rate of blood pressure? I'm asking on behalf of a relative... I thought blood pressure would be high if the heart rate was also high?
Recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol along with my high blood pressure. Was on atenolol and bendrofluazide but these weren't keeping my bp down so was put on lisinopril. I have had pains in my stomach since i started my new meds wake in the night with a jolt, am tired and feel weak all the time, i'm only 43 and not over weight. Has anyone else had these symptoms. I'm unsure what is causing what as every thing has changed all at once?
View 1 RepliesI can find information on high white count and enlarged red blood cell separately. I can not get the information on combination of both. I see a Hematologist/Oncologist tomorrow. I need to be prepared if I am going to labeled an alcoholic. Anyone have both of these issues?
View 1 RepliesNow she's is going through speech therapy to bring it back to normal. I would like to find out any other possibility to treat her any part of the world for immediate cure
View 1 RepliesIs there anybody who finds that ultra high doses of mirtazapine worked better for them? In the past I have taken mirtazapine in doses 30 mg and it had worked for a while but then I have changed my meds (bad for me). The second time I have taken mirt 45 mg without success It's the best drug I have ever taken, but it's not working anymore. I have taken many of the drugs, like SSRIs, bupropion and others, but none of them worked like mirtazapine in the past. How do you think, is there any possibility that ultra high doses like 60-90 mg would be work better for me?
View 32 RepliesMy husband (41) has some routine bloodwork which showed iron deficiency anemia which is uncommon in men. His hgb was 12.5, hct was 40, iron was 41. He has been referred to a GI who want to work him up with colonoscopy and egd. He has not had any bowel changes and digital exam showed no blood. However in January he said he noted a very small streak of blood on the toilet paper after passing a very hard stool. This happened a few more times after. Until the sore area healed. We are terrified of colon cancer since iron deficiency anemia is so uncommon in males. If he hadn't had the bloodwork, we would not have even known there was a problem. Does anyone have any insight on the iron deficiency and potential cancer?
View 3 RepliesJust when I thought I understood the condition I was surprised when someone I know with classic symptoms of Haemochromatosis was told by their doctor their blood test was normal, in fact bordering on anaemic. Could an ignorant GP misinterpret the results? What else could this be?
View 12 RepliesI recently did routine blood work and came up equivocal for type 2 herpes, twice. The tests were two weeks apart which I know is early but I am going back for a 3 one in three weeks.
Although, I was sexually active with someone right before they got chicken pox as an adult. Could Somehow chicken pox throw off or affect the blood
Work?
Other than feeling ill/flare, is it recommended to have blood tests at any regular times? I`m under my doctor, which I prefer...can't "work" with my Rheumy...but struggling with fatigue to get under 11mg....wonder if I should have blood tests more often....probably had one a year ago. Have had PMR 4 years now...(started on 15mg).
View 39 Replies