Fr. Dale Matson
“And the very God of
peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body
be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1
Thessalonians 5:23)
I have discussed the
problem I had with blood loss from surgery in a prior post.
http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2012/05/baseline-data.html.
At that point I began treating my anemia with food and supplements to increase
my hematocrit (HMT) and hemoglobin. What I have done since that time was to
include lab tests specifically for anemia. What I discovered was that my iron serum (26) and iron saturation (7) were dangerously low even though my HMT and hemoglobin
were nearing the low end of normal. What I have done since mid-May is to
develop a treatment regimen designed to raise my iron saturation and iron serum
and hope that the hemoglobin and HMT would increase in response to more
available iron. My goal was to increase the iron supply in my body.
First, I would like to
offer my symptoms of iron deficiency anemia that I experienced. My resting
pulse of (60) was 20 beats higher than normal (40). I couldn’t do my normal
exercising with the same power and speed. I was very cold all of the time and
needed an electric blanket in addition to a heavy comforter for sleeping. I
needed a wet suit to swim in 75 degree water. I would get dizzy just from
bending to pick up something. I had lots of headaches. My skin was pale. I
think it affected me psychologically with a mild depression and anxiety too.
Let’s just say the problem was pervasive and sapped my strength to the point
that I was fatigued most of the time. I would sigh and yawn. Some folks told me
I had exercise induced asthma. I was simply not getting enough oxygen. Athletes can have diminished V02 max because
of this type anemia and their performance drops dramatically. I believe
sometimes that what is referred to as overtraining
can be an exercise induced iron deficiency anemia.
Second, if you look up
the numbers, you will find that incidence of reported anemia is greater than 10% of the population overall. I
suspect that many folks are pre anemic or anemic and don’t even know it. The
numbers are probably much higher. They may go to their doctor and report
malaise, chronic fatigue or some other problem and not be identified as anemic.
I believe Iron Deficiency anemia is grossly under-diagnosed.
Here is the good news. I was
able to treat this problem using food and food supplements to the point that I
am no longer anemic. I remind the reader that this treatment was with
consultation from my physician and my sister who is a retired medical technician.
The only problem with many physicians is that they learn their trade in a
hospital, so “not being sick” is being “well” from their perspective. Unfortunately,
not being sick is not necessarily optimum health. Please have your physician
ok any food or supplements you anticipate using first.
The internet is a great place to conduct
research and I received quite an education. The best source of iron is what is
called Hemi Iron. Meat is a source,
especially liver and beef. I decided to resume beef once a week. Another source
of Hemi Iron is in desiccated liver tablets. The best Hemi Iron source that I
came across is a product called “Proferrin ES available in limited amounts from
Colorado Biolabs Inc. I promote it because I believe the three tablets per day
recommended on the label probably did more than anything else to boost my iron
(I am not a paid spokesperson). Hemi Iron is the most usable form of iron for the
body. Iron pills, like ferrous sulfate are not absorbed well, were problematic
for me and gave me tremendous heartburn. Others I have talked to about this
have had problems with heartburn also. You are also encouraged to avoid calcium
within a two hour window before and after taking the iron supplements because
it reduces the iron absorption. Vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin B12 are
encouraged to help with uptake. I also take black strap molasses as a non-hemi
iron source and enjoy this “medicine” that tastes like licorice. Mixed nuts and
dried fruit and leafy green vegetables are also sources I used. Finally, I also
use a product called nutritional yeast flakes which are gluten free for B12.
It is now mid-July and
here are the numbers for my iron serum (78) and Iron saturation (22. My
treadmill speed is up to 6.5 mph from 4.5 mph with a lower average and maximum heart
rate than before. My symptoms are no longer evident and now I am going to
reduce the amount of my iron intake to maintenance levels. There are lots of
warnings about iron overload and that could be a serious problem for some. That
is why I have had lab testing done every three weeks and paid for it out of my own
pocket. I have used Econo Labs (I am not a paid spokesperson for them either).
It is easy to set testing up over the internet and to pay in advance. They have
a quick turnaround time and will email the results to you and your physician.
The results are easy to read and normal ranges follow your results.
Why have I posted this on
our website? I posted this because as Christians, we are called to comfort others
with the comfort that we received (2 Corinthians 1:4) Thank you Lord!
100 comments:
So the anemia symptoms are getting bad again. Migraines. Dizziness. Fatigue. Loss of appetite. Sensitivity to temperature. Shakiness. Ear ringing. Impair vision upon standing. Just everything. I cant take to iron because it messes up my stomach but that’s the only thing than makes the other symptoms go away.
Jenn,
Although the common wisdom is to take vitamin C to assist in absorption of iron, I found that taking it was counterproductive. Vitamin C is acidic and exacerbated my problems with gastric re-flux. I have had no problems with re-flux and heartburn taking folic acid, Proferrin ES, dessicated liver tablets and black strap molasses. It seems like some doctors are never satisfied with even positive results. I have had significant increases with hematocrit, hemoglobin, iron saturation and iron serum yet my physician ordered a ferritin level too. I need to call for the results. I understand your frustration.
Most people understand that anemia is caused by iron deficiency in the bloodstream but in reality anemia is characterized by deficiency in the hemoglobin of the red blood cells diminishing the ability of the blood to transport oxygen to our cells and to removing carbon dioxide.
Critical illness cover
In July of this year my physician ordered a ferritin level blood test. the normal range is about 30-300. My physician's advice was to continue taking the supplements to build up my ferritin level which was only 23. this must be the last indicator to respond to increased iron supplementation. My last test was 29 (October), so I am going the the right direction. The rest of the numbers are all within normal limits.
Is solar dessicated liver tablets good too?
What's the diff between proferrin es and the dessicated liver?
Lastly, can lactoferrin help?
Oh, and what was a typical days diet like for u?
xshelbyx,
I think you mean Solgar dessicatd liver tabs. That is what I use.
Here is information on proferrin es.
http://www.proferrin.com/
I don't know anything about lactoferrin. Anyone?
Mixed nuts, fruit and almond milk in the morning. Greek style yogurt and vegetables with a blueberry juice drink at noon.
Salmon and salad with a piece of fruit for dinner.
I use a mix of the supplements at each meal
How is proferrin es different than solgar dessicated liver?
How much of each do u take and do u take with food?
What other supps do u take?
Ur diet looks very healthy. Do u also eat fish, poultry, legumes, or red meat? Any starchy veg/tubers or grains?
Thanks for the great info
xShelbyx,
I would treat dosage levels as an individual thing partly related to dosage suggestions on the label, personal needs and in conjunction with your treating physician's advice. I take a multivitamin.
I eat lots of chicken, salmon and occasional red meat. Lots of fruits and vegetables and NO grains since I am gluten intolerant.
I recently had another blood draw and my Iron serum, saturation, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit along with all other "Anemia Profile A" indicators are within normal limits (WNL). This profile does NOT include Ferritin levels and my doctor has this measure done on a separate blood test. I am continuing my supplements with the addition of 250 mg of vitamin C (with rose hips) with my morning meal with no gastric problems. on My Iron Deficiency Anemia And Treatment
My iron has always been low, even my sons were on iron enriched formaulas. I've been lucky and never had any low iron symptoms, but when the blodd work came back low and I was repeatedly being denied to donate blood, I started an iron supplement, but not much changed. FINALLY I happen to mention my low iron issues to the blood bank professional who said "don't take iron with dairy". I always take my vitamins with breakfast and I eat alot of dairy. So I took my iron at a different time of day, on an empty stomach, and poof!, my iron is going up. I passed the iron test at the blood bank on the first try and even had a few points to spare. Why don't Doctors know this stuff? It's simply... please try it. that would include your multi vitamin that may have extra iron. Take it a step further and maybe eating foods high in iron with dairy has the same effects. Please post if you see results. After decades of low iron, I would be thrilled if word spread of this simple change.
This is another update. I had my blood tested again for anemia.Iron Serum is 70, Iron saturation is 22,
Hemoglobin is 15.4 and Hematocrit is 48. The last number is approaching the high end of normal. An additional but perhaps related factor is that I hiked at altitude often during the summer and this tends to increase Hematocrit also. These encouraging results are the effect of the continued use of supplements that I mentioned in my original article.
I have one small caveat about Black Strap Molasses. Frequent use will stain your teeth.
Hi Folks,
Here are the numbers on my most recent blood draw for anemia. There is not much change from the October numbers except for my Iron Serum levels which were on the high side: 159. My Iron saturation was high normal at 49. Hemoglobin 15.6 and Hematocrit 46.7 were within normal limits. My MCV and Eos were on the high side. I will reduce my iron intake some and keep an eye on my serum levels which have climbed steadily from < 28. It is obvious to me that supplements and diet can turn things around!
My ferritin level is now 33 which is at the bottom of the normal range (30-300). My doctor ordered a test to determine if there are problems with processing B12/folic acid. He suspects I have Megaloblastic anemia. More tests coming. Otherwise, all of my iron numbers are essentially within normal limits (WNL). I hope to continue to work on intervention with supplements for folic acid and B12.
My mean cell volume (MCV) remains at the high end with a low normal ferritin level. The doctor prescribed a B complex multivitamin, Folate, L-methionine, and magnesium citrate. I think my main issue is poor processing in the gut. I suppose a Vitamin B12 shot would help but will see how the oral dose works with the next blood test to check B12 and folate levels. Another possibility would be a B12/folate skin patch. The whole point it to get more oxygen and lower homocysteine levels. I think homocysteine levels are an emerging area of health concern for both heart and brain. B12 and folate help with this also.
I found this blog very helpful. I am a distance runner and noticed about 9 months ago that I was feeling very fatigued and dizzy. I went to the doctor and they told me my iron levels were very low. I have been taking a multi-vitamin at lunch time and an iron supplement with dinner. I've seen a huge change and can notice when I miss a day. I've heard that calcium cancels out iron, but I know I need more calcium. Any suggestions?
MIa
Thanks for the response. Even doctors that call themselves specialists in sports medicine have not researched the effects on the body of endurance sports. I believe your are correct that calcium does cancel out the effects of iron IF they are taken together. Check with your doctor or a pharmacist but I believe if you take them at different intervals you will avoid this. For example you could take the iron in the morning and calcium at night.
Here is a recent blog post that is worth reading.
http://delgadomd.com/iron-deficiency/
My most recent testing had ferritin, Iron serum and saturation, hemoglobin, hematocrit within normal limits. I have been taking a B complex vitamin and used B12/folate patches for a month. The results were a high B12 (1603 with 211-946 as normal range). My folate was >19.9 with a normal minimum of >3.1. It looks like the oral B12 vitamins are adequate to bring B12 to normal for me.
I would also like to note that Crystallized Ginger Root has been wonderful for treating indigestion and acid stomach. Not overeating is still the most important "treatment".
Thank you so much for sharing. This information is so helpful!! I have terrible anemia with a ferritin level that started at 6 ( yes six) and now has slowly over a year reached 14. It's awful. I'm am about to try the desiccated liver to see if that helps. I've also read brewers yeast helps as well. I have tried just about everything including proferrin but nothing is working very fast I take the methyl form of all the b vitamins which helps tremendously (especially the b-12)
I am curious about them megoblastic anemia. And may ask my doc about it too. Did your doc say why he suggested l-methionine? Thanks so much again for sharing. Your information may just be what I have been searching for!!
Tracy,
Thanks for the comment. I believe he suggested the l-methionine for inflammation and as an antioxidant. It may be an age related suggestion since I am 69 years old. He believes that inflammation can be a big problem for older folks. Maybe I should have mentioned this when i listed it in my previous post. Thanks for asking.
Tracy,
By the way, brewers yeast can be a problem for those with gluten intolerance.
Dale+
Oh wow. I am gluten intolerant as well! Hmmmm I wonder if this is a coincidence or a condition associated with anemia. Or perhaps gluten issues (and therefore damaged guts) cause anemia? Just a thought.
Thank you so much for your advice Dale. I will ask my naturopathic doc (who specializes in gluten issues) before proceeding with the brewers yeast.
The info you have so graciously shared has been eye opening for this fellow anemia sufferer. God bless! And many thanks!
Tracy
My latest Anemia profile was within normal limits including iron serum, iron saturation,hemoglobin, and hematocrit. I continue to use dessicated liver tabs (3 per day) 1 Proferrin ES per day, 1 multivitamin per day, 2 Tablespoons of Blackstrap Molasses per day, 1 250 MG vitamin C tab per day,1 400 MG tablet of Magnesium Citrate per day and avoid gluten, processed food and most dairy. Could I eliminate any of this? I don't know but not suffering from anemia is worth the effort.
I know there are lots of folks who read this post and comments (literally thousands). I continue to emphasize the importance of whatever you do being under the guidance of a physician. Anemia undercuts the quality of life in such a puzzling fashion and is mistaken for other issues. I hope each of you who read these posts can overcome this serious problem and recover your life and confidence.
Did you have sensitivity to light? I seem to have to wear sunglasses even if it's partly cloudy outside and bright indoor lights give me anxiety and headaches now.
I do have light sensitivity but it is in my right eye because of Glaucoma.
After a visit to the hospital in summer when they discovered my iron levels were 6.3, I was given 3 pints of blood and still only pushed me to 8.1. I now take 2 iron pills a day with orange juice or apple juice, as the iron pill will cause gastrointestinal problems with me, but in the opposite, they kind of balance out.
Thank you for this post, I was starting to think maybe something is wrong with me because I tend to stay low in my iron no matter what I do.
On October 21 i started feeling dizzy confused tingly/numb hands my vision was spotty and unclear BAD anxiety and depression thought i wad going to die. Went to the doctors on october 26 he said i was having anxiety panic attacks and depression which shocked me bc I'm a happy and never had those issues before he took blood ran tests and the next day he called and i was diagnosed with severe Anemia hemoglobin 7.6 on, symptoms eased slowly but no completely. December 7th went in for more blood test and was and shockingly my hemoglobin was 12.0., and ferritin was 33. My question I'm still experiencing dizziness and I still get panicky or anxiety then depression bc I'm scared I'm not going go get better. It comes and goes daily. Very frustrating being 30 with kids and I'm afraid to drive in case I slip into a dizzy spell or panicky. Does anyone know if ferritin at a 33 cause these symptoms on and off?
softballmom,
My question to you would be, "Why are you afraid you are not going to get better?" Does your doctor have a record of your iron levels before your anemia problems? It would be interesting to know what is "normal" for you. It sounds like your major issue now is anxiety/depression not anemia but that is for you and your physician to discuss. The symptoms of anemia can also cause a loss of self confidence, loss of self efficacy and a moment by moment obsession with our overall well being. This may linger on long after normal iron levels have been restored. What are you doing to take your mind off yourself? Are you getting enough exercise? Are you involved in a faith community? Remember, in the Christian life, the big three are faith hope and love.
Pax,
Dale+
Dehydration may be the problem not anemia. It would be easy to rule out by ensuring you are properly hydrated.
Dehydration Versus Anemia
Dehydration
From Here: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults
The signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include:
Feeling cold [This is on other lists]
Increased thirst
Dry mouth and swollen tongue
Weakness
Dizziness
Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
Confusion
Sluggishness fainting
Fainting
Inability to sweat
Decreased urine output
Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.
Anemia
From Here: http://www.healthline.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemia#Overview1
The symptoms of moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia include:
General fatigue
Weakness
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Strange cravings to eat items that aren’t food, such as dirt, ice, or clay
A tingling or crawling feeling in the legs
Tongue swelling or soreness
Cold hands and feet
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Brittle nails
Headaches
Hi!
Dale Matson, I read through your history on getting back to normal from an anemic state - overall, it looks like you've done pretty well. Hopefully the low absorption issue is resolved soon, so you can think about other things. I say that, because almost my whole existence for the last 8 months is on recovery from anemia.
I've been anemic most of my adult life. I have six sons, and while pregnant was anemic with each, though all doctors said 'mildly' anemic. However, I've also had horrendously heavy menstrual difficulties through the years, and I always thought that was an accepted normal condition for having so many children. Not so. I hadn't seen a doctor in years, and finally for another completely unrelated matter, went in to get a first visit in early May of 2015. They ran blood, and did all the normal wellness checks, and I went home with answers to my other concern of a tooth/sinus infection and ozone treatment for the next 4 weeks (which eliminated the infection, btw).
I was at 4.1 hemoglobin, and some ridiculously low other numbers I did not understand. They called over the weekend to get me in for another confirming blood test, and then immediately sent me to the ER for a transfusion of 4 pints of blood - so thank you all who donate! <3 You saved my bacon, and I immediately felt like I'd never experienced such wonderful health in all my life. I also ate ravenously for about a month's time afterward. Always hungry!
My sypmtoms for years up until that point, which I had tried every last health protocol outside treating anemia to cure, never went away, and I frequently thought I might not make it another day. I suffered from a pounding, accelerated heart rate just climbing the stairs to my room, and I'd have to lay down for a while to feel well enough to keep busy with house chores. I loved ice, and had been eating ice since 2006. So here's a list of anemia symptoms I've experienced:
1. constantly out of breath, unless laying down doing nothing. :(
2. accelerated heart rate with any exertion
3. skin lesions that would never heal - like for years.
4. chewing ice all day, every day. Embarrassing, but I just loved it immensely, and had to have it. Someday I'd like to know the connection between this drive and anemia.
5. mental fog, and terrible concentration. College assignments took probably twice as long to complete.
6. thin, dry, splotchy colored hair, turning gray very rapidly, and never really growing much.
7. nails splitting vertically all the time. Very soft.
8. white nail beds
9. yellow, jaundiced appearance. All of my adult pics with the family - I'm yellow, and everyone else is pink/red skin tone.
10. continual productive cough. Sometime I just couldn't stop for half an hour, and my heart would start hurting. As it turns out, this is the beginning of congestive heart failure, at late stage acute anemia.
11. easily irritated, tense, depressed, flat, dispassionate mood toward others and their concerns.
Addendum to post...
Obviously my big lesson here was to get to the doctor if I can for at least a regular checkup or go when I'm not feeling so hot. Almost the entire duration of these years I did not have insurance, and because I felt so sick, couldn't make enough to pay anyway. In this case, public health insurance has saved my life, which my kids are grateful for. They lost their dad in 2010, so it would have been extra heartbreaking, I'm sure, if I was gone, too.
Now that it's February 2016, my health is slowly being restored through cleansing, heavy nutrient supplementation, and natural thyroid and hormones. I'm weaning off the thyroid and hormones, and will be going all natural soon with a nutrient dense diet, and will increase my exercise routine when I am stable enough to not deplete my iron stores. I am using desiccated liver tablets of 2 500mg daily instead of prescription, and I'm researching whether upping the dose would be more helpful. Strangely, iron levels are not listed for this supplement, but I know it's not hard on my liver.
So, what caused the anemia in the first place? Uterine fibroid tumors. Nasty, nasty little growths! Benign, yet for some reason they cause severe bleeding in some women, and they just did a number on me for too long.
I'm 49, so going the non-invasive, non-surgical route is my choice, if I can survive it. Fibroids reduce in size when menopause begins fully, since there is no longer a high estrogen load to make them flare up monthly. The usual route these days is to remove the uterus, get an oblation of the lining, or take heavy hormonal supplements to try and balance levels. I opted for #3, on a mild scale, just to regulate after such a long span of years with poor health. I also don't join the 'remove it' crowd when it comes to my organs.
My hair and nails are now growing and strong. My skin lesion are either gone or clearing. I am starting to feel like doing things again. I can think more clearly.
Not out of the water yet, and I expect it will take this year to see normalization.
I hope someone will find this history of some help. Get to the doctor is you have several of these indicators, and try to get your nutrition from as much a non-GMO, rich heme and plant based diet. I use clams (emergency heme iron), I eat a lot of red meat, and I am now taking the desiccated liver tabs.
All the best. I'll keep up if someone wants to reply.
I hope some can help me understand this. I've sent this to many websites & blogs over the last 2 weeks & no one has answered me.
I had a PCP in January 2015 for about 4 months. We didn't hit it off so when she went on 3 months maternity leave I found another doctor. The last report from the this doctor showed the following:
Test Result Ref. Range Comments
Iron 62 30 - 180 mcg/dL
Transferrin 289 214 - 365 mg/dL
TIBC 405 260 - 490 mcg/dL
Iron Saturation 15 15 - 50%
B-12 240 247 - 911 pg/mL This doctor said my B12 level was marginally low, but everything else was fine.
Then I started with my new PCP in August 2015. She ran the same test with the following results:
Test Result Ref. Range Comments
Ferritin, Serum 6.3 10 - 200 ng/mL
B-12 275 Normal: 180 - 914 pg/mL This doctor said: Your B12 level is low. Please take B12 1000 micrograms under your tongue daily.
Indeterminate: 145-180 pg/mL
Deficient: <145 pg/mL
Why would my iron be fine & then 3 months later I'm bordering pernicious anemia? I realize there are other test results that you need to take into consideration & I realize that each lab works things a little differently & lists results differently but any information I've found shows that these numbers should be very similar. Any ideas?
Susan
I recently had two stents placed in an artery to my heart. After about two weeks on aspirin and Plavix, I began having bloody stools. An endoscopy revealed 3 preexisting ulcers. They were cauterized and I am being treated for acid conditions now I suspect that I had a small GI bleed for years which may have contributed to my anemia. It is something I believe should be ruled out for folks. Hope this helps.
I am testing my blood again through Econolabs. I have my first report which is not encouraging. My hemoglobin is low at 8.9 and my iron serum is very low at 3. I now have a baseline to measure against for future tests. It will be a long road back but at least I have been is this situation before and know what foods and supplements help build my iron levels. My heart rate is high when I go for walks at about 2mph. The heart rate monitor shows my average HR to be about 94 on flat surfaces. This is an indirect measure of progress. The average heart rate should go down over a measured course at the same pace as I improve over time.
My latest blood results indicate that my Iron saturation remains at a very low 3 (normal is 15-55) my Hemoglobin remains low and is only up by one tenth of a point to 9 (normal is (12.6-17.7) g/dl. My hematocrit remains low but is up a full point at 29.1 normal is 37.5-51 %. I will wait two weeks before my next blood test and include a cholesterol test also.
Also watch foods that can hinder Iron uptake when taken with Iron. This includes eggs and figs.
My heart rate is slower exercising over a measured distance at the same pace. A treadmill is a good way to control the variables. My resting heart rate is also reduced.
I recommend keeping a daily journal of your exercise numbers. Seeing any progress at all over time is encouraging.
My latest Anemia test results are disappointing but up slightly. Iron Saturation 4, Hemoglobin 9 (same), Hematocrit 29.7 and Iron Saturation 16. I personally believe the fact that I am on "Dual Platelet Therapy" to avoid a clot in my stents has suppressed my Iron intake/recovery. Unfortunately I can't stop the DPT for quite a while and hope I don't start bleeding again because it increases the risks of another bleed.
I also had a lipid panel done with results within normal limits (WNL). For this reason, I have chosen to remain off statin drugs which have side effects especially for those above age 70.
I am new to posting on someone's blob or following a blog, but this is fascinating to me. Obviously, I have stumbled upon this as I was searching for answers for the anemia that is befuddling me, but your situation sounds unique.As i read through the posts, it sounded as tho you "had it beat", bu then in Jan, results began to swing th other way. Are you atributing this to the bleed and the stents? Were you checked for bleeds prior to going on the "treat with food and nutrition" path? I only ask, as I have just completed a complete endoscopy and colonoscopy, (both found ZIP!). Anyhow, I am all prepared with my shopping list based on these posts, and your seemingly remarkable journey, but now I am concerened for both of us! Looking forward to hearing more on this, and here is to hoping you are on the road to recovery again soon!
Thanks Ranae,
I Think it should be Standard Operational Procedure for those who may have stents placed to get an endoscopy and colonoscopy first. I didn't have a endoscopy and existing ulcers began to bleed when I was put on dual anti-platelet therapy (aspirin and Plavix). I am now on the razors edge between another bleed or a clot in my stents which would cause a heart attack. I have to deal with this indeterminate state on both a physical level and psychologically. The standard USA protocol is one year on DAPT. As soon as you are a bleeding risk all bets are off on how long to maintain DAPT. At this point I am willing to stay on DAPT for 6 months (England's protocol) or if I start bleeding again, whichever comes first. Additionally, the road back from anemia is hindered by Plavix. Research all medication side effects when attempting to recover from anemia. I don't have a choice since the stents are the main concern for the cardiologist. For me the main concern is the possibility of another bleed and the poor quality of life associated with the anemia.
Ok..I think I understand. The stents being placed had nothing to do with the anemia, but the medications related to their use brought on the anemia, again. That truly stinks.
In all of your research did you come across anything regarding the cause of iron defieciency anemia that is not related to bleeding, heavy periods, or bone marrow problems. I can't help but think I am missing something. Like you, have been a healthy active participant in my health for all of my adult life. I eat what I think is a pretty amazing diet, and have no really serious bad health habits, (like smoking, drinking, illicit drug use, etc). I
I am going to continue on the diet and nutritional route, and expect great things, but wonder if I am missing something.
I also plan to follow your recovery closely.
Ranae
"In all of your research did you come across anything regarding the cause of iron deficiency anemia that is not related to bleeding, heavy periods, or bone marrow problems." Vitamin B12 and/or Folic Acid deficiency. They are necessary for the manufacture of iron. Econlabs has an anemia panel (B) which includes B12 levels. You can order a test from them without a doctors prescription if you are willing to pay for it yourself. They send you an authorization form and you go to a local lab for a blood draw. They send the results to you via email or even fax within 48 hours durning business days.
Yes..I had reaad about that, but dismissed it initially becasue I assumed my doctor would have looked at that on my blood work. Turns out, our anemia panel doesn't look at that unless you specify..so today I asked my Dr to authorize another blood draw, (and requested all my old labs, as well). He gave me the authorization, however when I looked closly at it, it did not include folate, b12, or transferrin. Becasue of this blog, I knew what I needed...So I called him and told him I was going to alter the lab request. He said "good idea". Got my blood drawn today, requested that in addition to my Dr, they send it to me, as well, and next week, my Dr and I will have a sit down chat! I am so excited to be taking over my care or at least no longer passivly accepting anything. I also just rec'd my liver tablets, Proferrian and nutritional yeast. I used to eat that all the time as a child..probably should have never stopped.
I thank you for sharing you encouragement and hope you are faring well! Blessings, Ranae
I think my current bout with anemia is significant enough to warrant a new article. I have also discovered new information that may be useful for those have trouble making progress with their anemia. Could it be other medications you are taking that interfere with Iron Uptake?http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2017/03/cardiac-stents-dual-antiplatelet.html
My latest lab numbers are encouraging with a hemoglobin of 9.8 and hematocrit of 34.1. In spite of all the other meds, my anemia is improving!
Thanks be to God that while some numbers like Iron saturation remain stubbornly low, my hemoglobin is now 11.2 and hematocrit is 36.3. I believe my increased exercise has helped me also as my body is forced to make more red blood cells in response to the exercise just like athletes train at altitude to accomplish the same thing. Exercise is also good psychologically and an excellent indirect measure of progress. For example, my maximum heart rate over a measured course at the same pace is now lower than my average heart rate was three months ago. If you don't have a heart monitor wrist watch and chest strap, the investment is worth it. It is also possible to use a treadmill to control the variables but hiking outdoors is more social and less boring. I got the anemia panel B from Econolabs which also showed my B12 and folate as high and ferritin as low at 8. My primary care doctor will be glad to see these numbers too as we both closely monitor my progress. In my case, things are complicated by having stents and diagnosed with CAD. My cardiologist wants me to keep my heart rate below 110. No matter how slow I go, hiking in the foothills sometimes exceeds this. Knowing your baseline normal resting heart rate is very useful as an indicator of progress also.If you are anemic, your resting heart rate will be higher than normal. As you recover, your resting heart rate will lower. I Hope this helps and encourages you who suffer from this terrible problem of anemia.
After 3 hours of hiking and taking photographs in the mountains yesterday, I was exhausted and probably pushed things a little too hard. What I keep thinking about however is the importance of having a goal at the end of your recovery. What would you like to be able to do? I hope to do a day hike for photographs of Red Lake below Split Top Mountain. I am in no way close to this goal at this point but believe in my heart that with continued training and recovery, that it will be possible. That is what is pulling me forward. That is what I think about with each step I take now. It is what I think about when turning aside the extra helping of food. Having a goal at the end provides an overall plan, daily focus and discipline. It also energizes hope which is critical for morale.
My Hemoglobin actually dropped a bit to 11.0. However my Hematocrit is 37.8 and my Iron serum and iron saturation much improved. Iron serum was in the normal range. other numbers continue to rise also. It is easier to do physical activity and keep my heart rate below 110 as requested by my cardiologist. He didn't schedule another treadmill stress test till September but by then the hiking season will almost be over. I insisted on a treadmill stress test in July and they consented. If you are not assertive you will only be a patient. Now that my blood work is getting closer to normal, my angina is more likely to crop up in stressful situations than during exercise. I want a higher maximum heart rate to give my more activity options.
Mixed news on my 05-30-17 blood draw. My hemoglobin was up from 11 to 12 which is good. Normal is 12.6-17.7. My iron serum went down from 54 to 22 with a normal range of 38-169. My Iron saturation went down from 13 to 5 with a normal range of 15-55. Hematocrit is 40.5 and in the low end of the normal range. The ferritin level is low at 10 with a normal level of 30-400. It is up from 2 months ago when it was 8. Why do I get these mixed results? The combination of antacids to keep me from a GI bleed and the anti platelet medicines to keep me from getting a clot in my stents both combine to inhibit iron uptake. That is why this process is taking so long.I feel stronger and get in as many hikes as possible at altitude. This builds hemoglobin also. If doctors only saw the hematocrit and hemoglobin numbers, they wouldn't be very concerned and this is quite an improvement from a hemoglobin of 7 after the GI bleed in January.
Both my hemoglobin and hematocrit are in the low normal range. This means that I am now suffering from "Iron deficiency without anemia". I continue to struggle with "Iron saturation" (5) and Serum Ferritin (9). This has been a difficult climb up the mountain especially with the other meds that inhibit Iron absorption. Because of blood in my urine my cardiologist took me off Plavix after 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy. This reduces the chances of another bleed. I continue on a low dose aspirin daily. Now that I am off Plavix, my GI doctor can perform another endoscopy procedure to compare with the original one showing the 3 craters that had to be cauterized to stop the GI bleed. He will also be able to perform a biopsy this time to see if it is bacteria that caused the craters. He will also be checking for cancer with the biopsy. I believe the ulcers were caused by years of excessive aspirin and ibuprofen use. My hope is to go off one of the antacids after this (Pantoprazole or Carafate.) Stopping one of the antacids would help with iron absorption. In spite of the low iron levels, my energy continues to improve b/c I am no longer anemic. The next thing facing me is another treadmill stress test in late July. My hope is that now that I am no longer anemic, that the cardiologist will see enough improvement to raise my maximum heart rate. This would mean much for me since there is no way I can go backpacking in the mountains if my maximum allowable heart rate is only 110 bpm. Hope this is helpful to others.
My latest anemia profile is in the NORMAL range for all measures including Iron Saturation and Serum Ferritin.
TBTG. I also had an endoscopy but will not meet with the Dr. until August. I am not off the Pantaprazole and the Dr. switched me from Carafate to Zantac. The nurse told me however that the biopsy indicated no cancer. What a long climb this has been. I take a treadmill test this week to see if my cardiologist will allow me to increase my maximum heart rate from 110 bpm. I hope this encourages you folks suffering from anemia. So many things specialists use to treat one condition effects other conditions. Be an informed consumer. At age 72, God has given me more than my "Three score and ten" years. My warrenty is up and focusing on God's 'still small voice' is more important than ever. Prayer has played a major role in my recovery. Peace to you all. Dale+
I posted this article today which may be useful for some of you folks.
http://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2017/07/coronary-artery-disease-stents-and.html
I posted this article about Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) diet, supplements, emotions and a spiritual perspective may be useful for some folks.
https://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2017/08/adding-fruit-of-spirit-to-heart-healthy.html
After my latest treadmill stress test, the cardiologist has allowed me to increase my maximum heart rate to 120 bpm. He will see me again in January of 2018 for another treadmill stress test. My current results were improved I believe, because my hemoglobin was on the low side of normal vs only 9 last time. I am also in better shape and lighter. The Dr. also suggested that my collateral circulation may be better next time also. Let's hope.I would like to have a higher maximum heart rate. Last week I did do an overnight in the mountains backpacking with my wife. That is an acid test. I did not experience any angina or breathlessness. TBTG!
HI folks,
I wanted to throw this out there and see if anyone has noticed the same thing I have. It seems like when I have eaten salty food, I sleep better at night and am less anxious. I have read articles that suggest low sodium levels are just as bad as high sodium levels in the body and that a symptom of low sodium is anxiety. I shouldn't generalize from just my experience but maybe the rise in those experiencing anxiety is the low salt diets people are on especially for high blood pressure. My cardiologist told me sugar is worse than salt however. Has anyone else experienced this?
My latest hemoglobin (13.3) and hematocrit (43.3) continued to increase but my Iron saturation was low at 6. Normal is between 15-55. I believe the antacid Zantac and proton pump inhibitor Protonix are responsible for the low iron saturation number. They inhibit iron uptake. I need these antacids however to help my ulcers heal. My GI doctor said that he believed my diet also was playing a part in the ulcers not healing with acidic foods. I stopped eating blueberries, drinking fruit juices, and stopped taking vitamin C as a supplement. I did start taking a supplement that contains sterols and stenols to help lower my LDL. I don't want to take a statin drug.
I also think I am reaching a safe limit to my hemoglobin level since the higher the hemoglobin, the higher the blood viscosity. If you have CAD, it is possible to have blood that is not thin enough to move through the arteries without straining the heart muscle.That is why I want to lower my LDL as my hemoglobin increases to avoid blood that is too thick.
Just finding this blog and wanted to say thank you.
I have been struggling with iron-deficiency anemia and iron supplements. Every time I try to take supplements (including ferrous sulphate, gentle vegetarian formulations etc.) I have terrible GI distress and pain and feel loopy. This makes me not want to take supplements. But of course I need to. It feels like a trap: the anemia makes me fatigued, breathless, crawly legs, heart palpitations, but the iron supplements just feel wrong and mess with my gut and sleep. Finding your story has offered some comfort.
I had already been exploring food-based options in addition to an iron-rich diet, and my new plan is to try Proferrin ES and dessiccated liver tablets and see how it goes.
Doc has discovered likely cause of heavy periods and removed some uterine polyps, but I have a long way to go to rebuild iron stores.
Wishing you and everyone on this forum good health and support.
Finding the right iron that will not just bring up your iron stores, but not mess up your gut or make you feel 'off' can be a challenge. I suggest Floridix liquid and Ferretts iron supplement that can be found on amazon. Ferretts helped bring my stores back up and is easy on my tummy. Good Luck!
Kristine J.
My latest Anemia test showed a slight drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit and a slight rise in Iron Saturation from 6 to 9 (still low). I have decided to increase my proferrin to two tablets daily from one.
My primary care physician suggested I take Vitamin K2 for my heart and I have also decided to take two Tumeric capsules per day also. Chronic Inflammation seems to be the cause of so many problems.
My iron saturation is 7% I'm assuming this is low because I'm not two 325mg iron pills a day. Also my mcv mch and mcmh are on low side. Could this be cause of low iron?
Dear Unknown,
Do you know what your hemoglobin and hematocrit are? If they are OK then we both have the same problem. I can only speculate about myself but think the two kinds of antacids I am on inhibit iron uptake.
12.4 hemoglobin and 39 hematocrit
I think what I have (perhaps you) is iron deficiency without anemia. What does your primary care physician say about it?
That my iron was really low so taking the iron pills twice a day and I have to check back in a month. I'm wondering if it had anything to do with the omeprazole I was on for two years. Missie
I think it's possible. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. http://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump_inhibitors/article.htm#what_are_the_side_effects_of_proton_pump_inhibitors_ppis
Although iron absorption is not listed as a side effect. Iron needs acidic conditions to be absorbed. that's why they recommend taking iron with orange juice.
And orange juice I never drink. Definitely going to start drinking some.
I was able to drop my LDL 19 points in one month by taking a supplement containing plant sterols and stanols.'This is promising because I don't want to use Statin drugs. Hopefully in another month my LDL will be below 100.
LDL increased the past month while taking sterols and stanol capsules? I continue to take them and will decide whether to continue based on my next lipid panel. I recently read that the most important cholesterol number is the ratio between HDL and Triglycerides. With my most recent Triglyceride level of 48 and an HDL level of 63, that makes the ratio .76 which is very good. My biggest problem is the ongoing battle with the 3 ulcers. I take Protonix (PPI) and Zantac (H2 Blocker) at night for acidity and to help my ulcers to heal. I don't have a lot of faith in this happening with these drugs and the long term use is counterproductive also. I have started taking supplements to coat and an help the ulcers heal. They include DGL, Aloe Vera and slippery Elm bark. I won't see my Gastroenterologist until May. Pictures are scheduled for that time to see the progress of healing of the ulcers. Additionally, I still take one low-dose aspirin a day for my heart/stents. This has to irritate my ulcers and when I see my Cardiologist, I want to see if he will allow me to cut back on the aspirin dosage to every other day.
Let me clarify my last omment. I take Protonix in the morning and Zantac at night.
Latest Anemia results are improved with Hemoglobin number at 13.8 (low normal) but Serum Ferritin is low at 14 (normal is 15-45). I am satisfied with low normal for hemoglobin since I have CAD and don't want high blood viscosity. My total cholesterol is now below 200 at 184. The main issue is the continued need for antacids for my ulcers but my primary care doctor wants me to wean myself from the PPI (Protonix) which reduces magnesium, calcium and iron uptake and has adverse effects used long term. He prescribed Carafate which helps coat and protect the ulcers so they hopefully continue to heal. I will continue to take the Zantac which is an H2 blocker. Having the correct level of acid in the stomach is necessary for proper digestion of food and helps regulate gut bacteria. If I am able to wean myself from the Protonix, I believe my Serum Ferritin will increase to normal levels. My goal is to heal my ulcers, properly digest my food, have good gut functioning and reduce my dependance on antacids. I also hope to discuss my daily use of a low dose aspirin for my heart with my cardiologist. The low dose aspirin alone can hinder the ulcers from healing and even create ulcers. The aspirin is a difficult issue because the risk/benefits are different for everyone. Older people like me are more prone to ulcers and GI bleeds.
I got my most recent anemia results back with a jump in hemoglobin to 14.7. My cardiologist said this was ideal for me but not to go higher. (I have CAD and should avoid too high a blood viscosity which comes with high hemoglobin) Additionally and just as important, my serum ferritin levels have jumped to 20. This is still considered low (30+ considered normal). But I have been struggling with ongoing very low serum ferritin levels even when my hemoglobin levels returned to normal. I attributed this to low iron uptake b/c of my use of a daily Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) to reduce stomach acid levels b/c I have 3 ulcers. I weaned myself off the Protonix as advised by my primary care doctor and am currently only on one Zantac (150mg) a bedtime. I hope to get off all antacids which will help my stomach acid to return to normal with better digestion as a result. The prolonged used of a PPI has undesirable side effects including problems with gut bacteria. My primary care doctor prescribed Carafate X3 daily before meals to provide a protective coating for my ulcers. Hope some of you reading this research the problems with prolonged daily use of a PPI.
I have been off all antacids for a month now (H2 blockers and PPI's). My latest blood work numbers show that my Serum Ferritin is finally normal at 40. It doubled in one month! I can only imagine that other minerals are also absorbed better and my gut bacteria is improved too. I attribute this directly to being off antacids. I am only on PRN antacids (as needed). Additionally, my total cholesterol is at 188 (normal range (100-199). I attribute this to diet, exercise and use of sterol/stenol capsules. I am not on a statin drug. Cholesterol numbers seem to be up and down month to month. I would like to see my LDL drop to <100.
My Cardiologist gave me a treadmill stress test. I got to maximum predicted HR for my age (148) and lasted 12 minutes. I completed the 4th level of the Bruce Protocol. In spite of this, he still wants me to limit my maximum HR to 120 bpm and he does not believe I have gained any collateral circulation since my stents were placed. This was disappointing. I discussed taking low dose aspirin every other day or every 3rd day. He refused to budge on this and wants me to take a low dose aspirin daily. Hopefully my ulcers will heal in spite of this. I will know in May when the gastroenterologist will take more pictures of my stomach. This is a difficult place to be in, having to take daily aspirin for my heart and to heal from ulcers at the same time when aspirin is probably what caused the ulcers to begin with.
very informative ppost also checkout this post
https://wikkimedia.com/anemia-symptoms-why-anemia-is-the-cause-of-fatigue/
Thank you for sharing your experience. I was very encouraged that your were able to wean off the ppis and take measures to successfully improve your health. I feel like I should also wean off the protonix, I am currently on 40 mg twice per day. My hemoglobin continues to drop, and I feel that the ppi is a factor in this. My current GI has given me no advice on how to do this. May I ask how you were able to wean off the ppis successfully?
I am currently in the process of getting a second opinion on my gastritis issues before attempting to wean off.
Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Linda D
HI Linda D.,
Watch this youtube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYK94Lz4UrM
I used this plan for wean myself. Before I did this however, I got the OK from my primary care doctor.
Hope things work out for you also.
Thank you for this information. You can view and share simplified information on Anemia at - https://bit.ly/2tXUELw
Hi folks,
Some belated good news. I went off ALL supplements two months ago other than my prescribed medication. I stopped having diarrhea about one week after going off the supplements and have had regular bowel movements since that time.
However, an endoscopy revealed that I still have the ulcers. Dr. Increased Zantac to 300mg X2 daily. I refused PPIs.
Good news. My latest blood work showed a Hemoglobin of 17. This is actually about as high as I should go. The higher the hemoglobin, the higher the blood viscosity (thicker the blood). With Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) that makes it more difficult for the heart to push the blood through the arteries. The bad news is I have been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) and am now on medications to lower my blood pressure. God helped in this sense. I had an acute episode that took me to the emergency room. It revealed a chronic condition that needed treatment. I had been suffering from severe headaches for about a month. Now that I am on high blood pressure meds, the headaches are gone.
well, at some point while treating my high blood pressure headaches with aspirin and Ibuprofen,I redeveloped a GI bleed. My blood pressure was under control but I didn't pay attention to the gradual loss of blood. I was hospitalized last Thursday with a hemoglobin of 6 and given 2 units of blood. The GI doctor cauterized the bleeding ulcer and I hope stopped the leak. I was discharged Saturday and had a private company (econolabs)do a blood draw this morning just to make sure the hemoglobin is going up. I should know by tomorrow or Thursday at the latest.
Here is a link to an article I just posted about my concerns about the daily use of low dose aspirin.https://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2019/04/prophylactic-use-of-low-dose-aspirin.html
You will have to copy and paste this into your browser.
Thank you for your experience and insight Dale, you are an inspiration to me on my own health journey in a modern world that is fundamentally detrimental to health is so many ways. I find that mainstream medical care offers mostly counterproductive solutions for chronic problems at least, while at the same time there are plenty of productive solutions to be found in many of the alternative approaches to health care, which are readily accessible on the web sites and forums of practitioners and laymen alike.
I have found the most valuable of these approaches to be centered on using the information we have about how our hunting and gathering ancestors lived and ate in their varied environments as a template for achieving and maintaining our own health. This, combined with DNA science has really helped me and even a few of my family members who have been open to straying a little from the western medical orthodoxy.
At the same time, my wife needed surgery recently and I felt very good knowing that western medicine was there for her.
Bad news with Hemoglobin and iron numbers. After one month they are low and the same as the previous month. I have decided to take one Proferrin Hemi Iron tablet for breakfast and one 325 mg Iron tablet for lunch to try and increase my numbers. I will test again in two weeks to see it this has an effect. My cardiologist referred me to my primary care doctor when I suggested an iron shot and my primary care doctor has not gotten back to me even though I dropped off the lab work for the last two months showing no improvement. I get frustrated with how little my doctors seem to care or see the urgency. Once again, my health is ultimately in my hands.
This week was good news for my anemia. I took one Proferrin Iron tablet with breakfast and one Ferris Sulfate tablet (325mg) at lunch for two weeks. In that time my Hemoglobin went up from 10.5 to 11.4! I made sure that I did not take any calcium for those two daily meals and added citrus fruits and 500mg of vitamin C with the iron to improve absorption. With this kind of improvement it looks like I won't have to have an iron shot or iron infusion.
Rick Sapio said...
Anemia is associated with chronic fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and diminished well-being.
You can take steps to prevent or control anemia. Few simple things you can do.
Follow a healthy diet to ensure that you get enough iron, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin C.
Limit intake of salt, solid fats, added sugars and refined grains.
Visit your doctor if you develop signs or symptoms of anemia.
Follow your doctor advice.
[Note I removed a reference to a particular doctor which was essentially an Ad.-Dale+]
My latest blood results show a low Serum Ferritin of 25 with normal being between 30-400. But.. it continues to improve and is close to normal. The best news was my increase in Hemoglobin to 13.9 which is in the low normal range. My Hematocrit was 44.4 which is normal. I suspected and hoped for good results. This was because my resting heart rate was back to 45 which is normal for me. I also took one tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses daily and ate chicken, fish and beef during this time. I am also hiking at altitude again and doing OK. I had no calcium products at meals where I took an iron pill. I hope other folks are encouraged by this.
Todays blood results shows no improvement since the last blood draw for hemoglobin (13.9) and I don't know why. However that is in the normal range. The good news is all of my numbers are now in the normal range. My serum ferritin increased to 37 which is in the normal range. I am going to stop taking the Black Strap Molasses because of the sugar and carbohydrates but continue to take one iron pill and one Proferrin ES pill daily for at least one more month. Going backpacking in the Sierra Nevada soon and so thankful to God that I have the necessary hemoglobin to make this possible at age 74. High altitude places an additional burden on those with low hemoglobin. For example, at 8,000' there is only about 75% of the available oxygen compared to sea level. 2 months ago I was unsure whether I could make this trip. I hope these results help to give hope to those who still have iron deficiency anemia. Pax, Dale+
Here is something I discovered last night, after the fact. Both the hypertension drug Losartan and Asparagus are diuretics. I think the combination is synergistic. This is another case of a food interacting with a drug or vice versa if you so choose. Up a lot last night.
I frequently have blood count of 6. Scary stuff happens to me. It takes a while for supplements to help. IV better faster. Maybe just a little more time. Dr's hesitate to give me nutritional I.V. Wish I knew why. Immediate results with that. I geel your pain. It's mine too
My latest Hemoglobin was 14.2. This is in spite of the fact that I had a considerable amount of blood in my urine from a 7 year old TURP that was bleeding for about a month. Why was my hemoglobin so high? I was taking three iron pills a day (one with each meal) plus on 250mg vitamin C pill. Additionally I was not drinking any milk. This kept my hemoglobin up. I had a second TURP two weeks ago which reduced the bleeding to almost zero. Thanks be to God. We are surrounded by doctors who want to help us help ourselves. Now I must be patient while the TURP heals.
All my latest blood work for anemia was normal. I have cut back to two iron pills per day.
Dale, I found your blog by accident while searching for how to help my anemic toddler. Good luck to you. Hope your health stays good.
My Serum Ferritin was low this last blood draw. I have been taking only one Proferrin tablet a day. The Serum Ferritin was the only low number. I haven't decided whether to go back to two iron pills a day or not.
I would like to comment about Vitamin D3. I have been sitting in the sun daily in shorts and a "T" shirt so my body can manufacture enough D3. I am at a level of 33 ng/ml. Less than 30 is considered deficient. The normal range is 30-100. I have decided to take a D3/H2 supplement to boost my vitamin D Levels. It is not just issues of depression which can be caused by low D3. For me, the research shows that D3 is also good for those over 50 years of age with hypertension. Sunshine lowers high blood pressure for those individuals.
The research for my last comment is here:
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2019/05100/the_effect_of_vitamin_d3_on_blood_pressure_in.11.aspx
Correction that should be D3K2 NOT D3/H2
Hi Dale, I came across your blog while looking for more info about dessicated liver to help increase iron. I read through most but not all of your comments. I'm curious if you've ever had a full thyroid panel done? And if you've ever been tested for MTHFR genetic mutation? I really feel these could be missing links for you.
A full thyroid panel would include antibodies, T3 and reverse T3 in addition to T4 and TSH. If you are hypo thyroid consider looking into dessicated thryoid meds rather than synthetic/synthroid which only contains T4. Armour,NatureThroid or compounded at a pharmacy are good choices.
MTHFR can explain difficulties with B12 levels and methylation. People with mthfr cannot properly process B12 unless it is in it's methylated form. Or folic acid because it is synthetic therefore must take folate, the pure form.
My vit D is extremely low as well - has been for years even while living in sunny CA and not using sunscreen. For some reason I was not able to tolerate any vit D supplements. Drs have not been able to figure that out but just recently I was able to get results with Vit D/K2 patches. My levels have raised from 23 to 38 in 2 months so I'm very excited. Now I will concentrate on my Ferritin has been stuck at 11 for a while.
Hope this helps you. Best wishes. I enjoyed reading your comments.
Yes, my primary doctor has ordered several tests that cover the areas you describe. Older folks cannot process Vitamin D3 from the sun as well as younger people. Thus I take a pill with Vitamin D3/K2 and get about 20 minutes of sunlight per day. Thanks for the informed comment.
I recently had a full panel of tests. My LDL was high but my HDL was 70. The ratio was good and I still do not take statins. My vitamin D3 level was 70 and hemoglobin was 15. I still take a Proferrin tablet daily. I have remained off H2 blockers and Proton Pump inhibitors. I also have an 8 ounce glass of Kefir daily and have not had gut issues. I intermittent fast for from 15 to 18 hours daily and for 24 hours once a month. Now that the gyms have reopened, I wear a mask and work out 3-4X per week. Lots of walking and hiking in the foothills. Averaging 8 hours of sleep nightly. feel pretty good.
Softballmom.. Do you have breast implants also? Many women have the symptoms you are describing and more. If so, please check out the breast implant illness website. It was an eye opener for me.
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