Anemia was not the answer

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:14 pm

I saw the hematologist today and he said my blood counts are normal and there is nothing he would do for me. Take an iron pill was all he said. I guess that's a good thing but how does my PCP tell me I'm anemic and the hematologist tell me all is good? He said there are many causes for fatigue- depression (like I need to have yet another doctor bring that up, grrr) or sleep issues. I explained the MC and related it to IBS. Poor absorbtion was mentioned and that was about it. He recommended eating high protein foods like spinach, broccoli, apples.... I was thinking I like spinach, broccoli gives me gas, and apples with the fiber could be dangerous.

I'm surprised he didn't mention meat. He added kefir would be helpful but looked disappointed that I said I have histamine issues and had a bad reaction when I tried it. Not sure if he was familiar with it or just thought I was nuts.

At least being surrounded by the oncology atmosphere made me thankful that I am not in the chemo realm. Which, by the way, the mammogram and ultrasound for that lump in my breast turned out to be puzzling. The tech and the doctor did not fing the lump my PCP felt. Sigh. It's a wait and watch on that one too. Not that I'm complaining but really? A whole week of anxiety, shuffling my work schedule and making up the time, the money spent and I have only to wait and see and wonder where it went. The outcome could have been worse but after the thyroid/lymph node experience a few weeks ago, Ive had my fill of doctors for a while.

I continue to believe it's the undertreatment of my thyroid that is the problem. Hoping to have better luck in July when I have a second opinion from another endo. Starting to feel not too hopeful but it's all I got for now.

Have to make a 2 1/2 hour trip next week to have my son checked for bile duct cancer. Not sure how to shake the dark cloud that has seemed to attach itself to my world.

On a positive note, I've been at my new job for three months now and absolutely love it!!! All the medical stuff lately has put a damper on it but it has soothed my psyche tremendously. I love my work and it fits me perfectly.

I ordered some of the Proferrin through amazon today. Anyone know how long it may take to raise my ferritin level of 13?

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:21 pm

I'm not familiar with proferrin but it took me 4 months to raise mine from 9 to 35 with mega food blood builder. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this rough time. Sending warm waves of healing love your way!

Post by **tex** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:08 pm

Deb wrote:He recommended eating high protein foods like spinach, broccoli, apples....

Did he really call those high protein foods? Or did you mean high-iron foods and foods that help with the absorption of iron?

Tex

TXBrenda · Post by **TXBrenda** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 6:51 pm

FWIW, I had a low ferritin level several years ago. The doctor I was seeing for sleep apnea told me I needed to take prescription ferritin for at least a year. My PCP didn't tell me this but when I told him what the other doctor told me, he agreed to give me refills for the year and retest. I don't remember what my level was but that doctor told me I had to take it for a year if the value was under 50 if I remember correctly.

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:08 pm

My mistake- those foods listed were for high iron.

My PCP asked me if I noticed a difference in taking the iron supplement for the couple weeks that I had been using it. She said in some people the difference would be noticeable in days. Which, for me,wasn't the case . I thought it would take longer.

Is Proferrin available as a prescription?

Chemgirl · Post by **Chemgirl** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 7:09 am

Timelines are hard since everyone is different.

In my case, my hemoglobin was 8.4 at it's lowest and around 10 when I started taking the Proferrin. Hemoglobin was 12 a little over a month later. My ferritin started at 0 (below detection threshold) and it took around 4 months to get it into the 30's. I think my 2 month bloods were ferritin 8, 3 months 15, 4 months 32. It took a while to get started for some reason and I think that's very common. It might be helpful to get new bloodwork in 2-3 months to see how it's going.

Ferritin is often high in instances of chronic disease, so I guess there's that silver lining.

Goodluck with your son!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:17 am

Hi Deb,

Well.....the good news is the Dr wasn't unduly concerned about the low ferritin. (Other than the fatigue.)

It took me about 3-1/2 to 4 months to get mine up to a score of 38 (from a a score of 13.) I tried to eat high iron and could only tolerate 1 proferrin per day.

I tried the bottle dosage but could not tolerate it (I was off of Entocort at that time.) I'm hoping you can tolerate the bottle dosage so you can feel better faster.

My improvement was gradual, i.e. inperceptable improvement, i.e. I just felt better at 4 months. I can see how someone who can take the bottle dosage might feel much better at 2-3 weeks.

I agree with Chemgirl to get bloodwork at some point...3, 3.5 months to see how things are trending.

Not sure if available by prescription. Perhaps check with your pharmacist. My drug store ordered it in for me in one day (non prescription) and I think pricing was better than on line.

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:27 pm

Thank you both for sharing your experiences.

Good idea to check with the pharmacy to order.... Wouldn't have thought of that.