Just wondering for those of you who are iron deficient...do you know what the cause is...heavy periods, GI issues...???

I went through an endoscopy and colonoscopy only to be told I had no active bleeding or ulceers,etc. I'm glad about that but after a year they still haven't figured out what's causing it. I think it must be because of occasionally heavy periods,although my doctor says no because that doesn't happen every month. It also could be because of other medications I have to take for RA that could be causing absorption issues. Who knows? I do take the iron supplements but I haven't seen my Hct go to 30 in 2 years. :confused: Good luck!

My severe anemia was attributed to chronic, abdominal "bleeding angiodysplasias." (tangle of leaky blood vessels). I have vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) and this is a related condition. I've had blood transfusions and will be need an iron infusion in the near future.

Mine is attributed to chronic malabsorption problem, linked to stomache surgery many years ago.

I've had InFed treatment 3 times in the last decade, with a 4th coming up later this month. I get monthly B12 injections as well.

Hi! I'm new to this board but I'd love if any of you might have any answers for me. my hemoglobin dropped to 5-yeah you read it right-no typo at the end of dec 2005. Since Jan 2006 I have been on Iron Therapy-IV. I began with infed but on the 4th treatment (my dr's only allow 250 mg at a time) I had a very bad almost anaphalactic allergic reaction. Now they switched me to Venofer-which they use normally for dialysis patients- and I have to pre med with mega doses of Prednisone and benadryl before they can give the iron. I am desparate to get off the prednisone due to the various side effects and it raises the blood sugar...but I cannot tolerate taking Iron orally! I have tried Slo FE and Solgars Iron Biscalyne, Flintstones vitamins with Iron (I"m desperate!)everything leaves a terrible Iron shavings taste in my mouth that just won't go away. We are still searching for the cause of my deficinecy..I did the full GI workup-I'm so frustrated-and with all this they still haven't been able to get me past a 10 and maintain it! The hematologist himself is frustrated and says all we're doing is treading water- anyone with any clues I would appreciate hearing from you! thank you!

Grandkids,you should ask your doctor about taking the oral Ferrous Gluconate instead of the Ferrous Sulfate. I had terrible problems taking iron because of reflux,nausea,etc. and told my doctor about it. She told me to try the ferrous Gluconate instead since it's alot easier on the stomach. She's right! Other than a little metallic taste when you first put it in your mouth,I've had no stomach problems with it. My last Hct was only 28 and my Hgb was 7. The have no idea why I'm anemic. I have an appt. coming up with my doctor at the end of August and I'm sure I'll be sent off to the hematologist. Good Luck!

Hmmm, good question. I have absolutely no idea why I'm amnemic. I've been animeic since I was a toddler, my Mom just went with it and did what the pedi told her to do as far as treating me. I'm 39 now, I suppose I should ask my GP that question, although he may have no idea either. All he does is check my blood every 6 months. How would I go about finding out why I'm amimeic??:confused:

We are trying to understand the cause of my wife's anemia. Since being diagnosed almost three years ago, she has just had her third dose of Infed. I am very curious to know if anyone else having these problems has ever taken oral Lamisil for nail fungus. It seems that her problems seem to start shortly after taking Lamisil for 50 days.

Mr. McNabb

shamrock i've been on iron iv therapy-venofer for 7 months now. the little metalic taste you describe-with me it stays in my system and my saliva and mouth feel and taste iron-y. it's horrible to the point i'm willing to get stuck once to twice weekly!! i'm wondering if there's any oral iron that doesn't have the metalic taste? Today i swallowed a camera pill that takes 60,000 pics of intestines-they're still trying to figure out why the anemia. I dropped to a hemoglobin of 5 in dec and they still can't get me to anywhere near 12-i seem to take one step forward and two back! anyone else out there who hasn't been able to resolve anemia issues?

i was iron deficient for the first time in my 44 years, I have always been in the low range but never deficient. My doctor says its because Im female with periods, not that she looked for any other cause. I was not anemic though, I always thought if you had iron deficiency you were automatically anemic. I had no symptoms except my hair was falling out. I am now low in b12 and feeling very tired and my body is buzzing. I have an anxiety problem so it could be that causing the buzzing. I do have some GERD issues, dont know if that can contribute to the problem.