Anemia

[LisaJayne89]

Hi,
I have recently found out that I'm quite anemic due to a yearly check up. My hemoglobin is down to 10.1, it was normal less than a year ago and has been for 4 years. It is microcytic anemia. I have had an iron deficiency stores down to 4-8, never seen it above 18 even on iron supplements. I have never been this anemic in my life (only once before mildly) and my diet is better than it ever has been (I consciously eat red meat whenever possible). The doctor is concerned with how quickly it has dropped with no obvious reason and wants to look into it further (and organise a iron infusion to rapidly bring up my stores). The anemia has almost caused me to faint while exercising and be so light headed I need to sit down (I did not know I was anemic just thought I was going to hard!). My heart rate also increases incredibly fast, walking up on flight of stairs causes it to shoot up to 130 bpm and I'm a fit 24 year old.

I think that I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on what could cause this and what may be done about it. Maybe just put my very over active brain at ease! Also what other tests may be available to check that it isn't anything more serious than a ?simple? Case of iron deficiency anemia.

Thanks in advance
(I see the doctor again in a few days so can post more details then)

[Jerry_NJ]

Good you are seeing a doctor and the medical advice above sounds like what I have been told, now years ago when I had a hemoglobin of 6. I went through the complete input/output gastronomic tests/inspections. No bleeding was found.. I was also iron anemic - no known specific reason.  I took supplemental iron for a few months and my hemo as been in the 13-15 range since.  

In my case the problem required only short term iron therapy (over-the-counter stuff).    I have not has a occurrence of low iron or hemo during the past 15 years or so..

Really not much help here, but I am one data point that says it is possible to suffer a low hemoglobin without there being any serious problem.

Hope you are as lucky.. I say so far, only time will tell if the problem will again affect me.  I get a full physical exam/blood test every year, but I am now a senior and more subject to something failing.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. The three main causes of low iron are—poor intake, poor absorption, and high loss. Poor intake can be compensated by diet rich in iron and iron therapy. Poor absorption is seen in conditions like Crohn's, IBS, severe acidity etc, and needs to be ruled out. High loss is seen there is a bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract, either due to esophageal varices, polyps, gastric bypass site, hemorrhoids or an ulcer. You should get your stool examined for occult or hidden blood to detect this blood loss. Also you need to get a pheripheral blood smear done to know the RBC count, structure and whether there is cytopenia (general decrease in cell count). The renal function and liver function needs to be checked, and electrophoresis of hemoglobin done to know whether there is thalasemia trait or sickle cell anemia. You need to see if there is vitamin B12 deficiency. Once the cause is found and corrected, then the lost iron is replaced by iron therapy, either in form of pills, capsules or syrups, or as injectable preparations.  Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.