Fibroids? - Anemia Message Board

robste · 10-10-2003, 07:56 AM

All of my tests from the gastro. dr. have been done...all normal. So, the next step was an appt. with the gyn. My gyn. dr. said that my uterus appears larger than normally (whatever that means!) and that I may have a fibroid. I have to go back next week for an ultrasound, and then after that, I have to have some cells taken from my uterus to make sure there's nothing wrong there.

Have any of you been diagnosed with anemia caused by a fibroid or other gyn. problem other than heavy periods? The dr. says not to worry, but I am scared.

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PaNik5717 · 10-10-2003, 01:56 PM

I think this is a common diagnosis. But, with fibroids that cuase blood loss, I would think the blood would come out at some point. I'm not positive, but usually, it would be heavier periods or bleeding in between periods. Other fibroids cause pain and some women have fibroids that are entirely asymptomatic.

This is what they thought was wrong with me, btu I had the ultrasound - two in fact - and they saw a few tiny fibroids, but not enough to really cause big problems like mine. So, I had a D&C and hysteroscopy on Wednesday. I think there are other ways to do tissue samples. Did your doc say what kind of procedure you will have to have?

PaNik5717 · 10-10-2003, 02:04 PM

I just re-read a few of your other posts. Are you still not having any symptoms of anemia? How long have you been on the iron? I read your other posts and this seems pretty recent. Maybe going through surgery isn't the best bet if your body starts to absorb the iron pills. We always want a diagnosis, but it isn't always necessary.

My doctor gave me some good pills that have vitamin C in them. They are an extended release pill which may not absorb as well, but they have never made me sick or constipated and my levels started climbing within a few weeks of being on them. They are called Bronson Iron with C.

It should take months to get back to normal, but if your levels start to improve and your periods don't bother you and you don't have any other symptoms, maybe you can wait on having your uterus biopsied. Of course, your gyn will have to decide, but it seems a little aggressive.

robste · 10-12-2003, 09:46 AM

PaNik, thank you so much for your comments/suggestions regarding my postings.

I think that my gyn. is being aggressive regarding his testing because, he thinks he did feel a fibroid during my yearly exam the other day, and my periods, which I don't seem to think are really heavy overall, are actually heavy for 1 day. He wants to do the ultrasound to confirm the fibroid or others, of course. Because he said my uterus appeared larger than normal, he does want to do the cell scraping biopsy of my uterus the next day. He said not to worry, but he just wants to make sure there's no problem with my uterus...just being cautious. Also, because we've ruled out any gastrointestinal bleeding, the gyn. area is the last to check out.

My dr. said let's wait to see what these two tests show...I could possibly just need a D&C to alleviate my anemia problem, or that new outpatient surgery to lessen periods (I'm not sure what it's called), and/or the fibroid removal (if that's what it really is). He also suggested possibly putting me on a very, very low dosage of birth control pill for just a few months to see if that helps. So, it sounds as if there are different options without anything drastic.

Because my ferritin level is so low (2), that indicates iron-deficiency anemia, and all the drs. major concern is internal bleeding...so that's what the drs. are trying to rule out or find.

You are correct,I may not have any internal bleeding problem that is visible, but I believe that fibroids do deplete the blood supply as I understand it, so that could solve the mystery as to what actually is causing my anemia.

In the meantime, yes, I am taking iron supplements twice a day, my family dr. wants me to have my bloodworkup done again in about 5 weeks to see if my iron binding capacity, ferritin, hemoglobin and other levels have gone up.

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PaNik5717 · 10-12-2003, 08:42 PM

By cell scraping biopsy, do you mean a D&C or something else? I had a D&C earlier this week and it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't do it if I didn't have to. You may have read, I have had daily bleeding since April and it isn't due to fibroids - they would show in an ultrasound.

Have they checked your youngest blood cell count? I think it is leukocytes.