I'm confused- what kind of anemia is it? - Anemia Message Board

mysixpack · 02-01-2009, 08:42 AM

I've noticed everyone uses different terms for there anemia. Would mine be iron deficient anemia or would it be caused by the B-12? Does it really matter? If I got my B12 back to normal and not my iron would I still be anemic and visa versa?
My PCP said I was anemic from lack of iron and age. So, is the B12 an added problem? Do I have to fix both to not be anemic?

FLFLOWERGIRL · 02-01-2009, 10:48 AM

Iron will fix general Iron Deficiency anemia, but not PA for example; it has to be treated with B-12. You become anemic for different reasons, as you know, but it is all treated the same. Many doctors will not run further tests for B-12 because they say it's still treated the same way. I think they should always find a root cause. It helps to know more about your medical state. Whether your have an autoimmune disease process at work or what. Having one puts you at greater risk for others in the future. This is why you have to have so many different test to find a cause. You can have both IDA and B-12 deficiency at the same time (very common), for many different (malabsoprtion syndrome) reasons. B-12 can only treat B-12 and iron for iron def. If you have both you need to treat both. I will give you an example, for myself, I take PPI's that can cause some malabsorption. It can change your B-12 intake and iron. For me it only causes iron malabsorption, my B-12 is great. I still supplement with B-12 so that I don't end up with a problem because this puts me at a higher risk. Other people that take PPI's may malabsorb both or just B-12. It depends on your own body and what is going on. I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, this too can cause reduced stomach acid needed to absorb iron, so who really knows what's going on. Only testing will tell. FLFLOWERGIRL

mysixpack · 02-01-2009, 11:51 AM

You really have a way of saying things that helps people understand. Maybe if I understood a little better last year I would not be back in this same predicament. They have always treated it as no big deal-so I have done the same. Now my body feels terrible and I have a lot of digging to get out of this hole. They had me so confused! All it would take to feel better is taking some vitamins-or getting a few shots-geez! They should have steered me in the right direction.

FLFLOWERGIRL · 02-01-2009, 12:39 PM

Many doctors do not help or inform you as a patient, as long as you are "in range". I complained 3 years prior to my anemia, and that is when the GYN found that I had Hashimoto's which is the SAME SYMPTOMS as anemia. I went in and said I was anemic, when in fact I had an autoimmune disease that was found. I got my labs and looked back to that time to see where my Hgb was and it was only 13 something with high platelets so I know I had little if any ferritin which they have NEVER checked on me before it was found as a 2 last year. Ferritin should be an annual thing for women and save us a lot of issues because this changed my life. My doctor's also told me that I would not feel well at my age and I am 47 was 45 at the time, it's nothing about age let me tell you. It's about malabsorption and/or blood loss. Sorry, now I am ranting. FLFLOWERGIRL

mysixpack · 02-01-2009, 01:14 PM

What is Hashimotos disease-how did they find it? What are the symptoms? If you have low iron and B12 does that mean that is the only thing causing anemia? Or can you have that along with other stuff?