This is a gross question, sorry!
FL_Hiker
Posts: 919 Member
This is probably TMI but I’ve got quite the embarsssing question lol. I’ve been iron deficient, having a lot of hair loss (thank god I had a lot to start with!) and diarrhea for the past few months. I went to my doctor, who treated the iron deficiency and told me the diarrhea is normal. He said since I’m a runner it’s not a big deal. The thing is I usually have it before my run every morning, to me it doesn’t feel like the running is causing it... but he said it’s not a reason to worry. I’ve literally not had a normal BM in months. I went and got a second opinion, doctor #2 brushed off the diarrhea every day as not an issue and was also more concerned about my iron defiency. We don’t know why my ferratin levels were so low, I am not vegetarian. My grandmother had colon cancer at a young age so maybe I’m a little paranoid but what do you guys think? Should I get yet another opinion or is this really not a big deal?
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Replies
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If it is causing issues for you in your life, you need a doctor that will work with you on the issue instead of saying ignore it.20
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Get another opinion. My wife had the same, exact issue regarding BM's. Turns out she has Microscopic colitis. Since being properly diagnosed - she had to get multiple opinions as well - it's been almost 100% manageable through diet and proper medication.
Needless to say her quality of life has gone way up. She could barely make it to work some days. Seriously, get that second opinion.22 -
They need to test your stool for blood. Insist on it. BTDT very recently. It's easy (kind of gross for you getting the samples, but the test itself can be done and read in the office).9
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As a person with Crohn's Disease, this was my story before I was diagnosed. See a GI doctor.17
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100% agree with the suggestion to see a GI doctor who comes highly recommended by others and is willing to listen. With family history, there's nothing wrong with getting a 3rd or 4th opinion for your own peace of mind and concern for your future self! I wish you the best.3
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You know your body and what is normal and not normal for you. Keep pushing.4
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Get yourself a gastroenterologist.3
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Definitely see someone else2
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I agree with what everyone else has said. You need a third opinion, this time likely with a gastroenterologist.4
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Echoing a GI. Those symptoms and lab results are how celiac can present.3
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They need to test your stool for blood. Insist on it. BTDT very recently. It's easy (kind of gross for you getting the samples, but the test itself can be done and read in the office).
That’s probably a good idea. They kept asking if I saw any blood.... without going into details I don’t know how anyone could tell lol. I remember talking with you before too 🙂 thanks for your advice!3 -
Thanks everyone for the advice, this has given me a lot of courage that I’m not just being silly for worrying. I’ll definitely go back and demand some tests.9
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They need to test your stool for blood. Insist on it. BTDT very recently. It's easy (kind of gross for you getting the samples, but the test itself can be done and read in the office).
That’s probably a good idea. They kept asking if I saw any blood.... without going into details I don’t know how anyone could tell lol. I remember talking with you before too 🙂 thanks for your advice!
That's very surprising, and irresponsible of them to not test when it's so simple. GI bleeding isn't always visible. That's the first thing my doctor tested when my follow-up test showed no improvement in my iron levels after 5 months. Have you had yours rechecked yet?3 -
This is the second thread in 24 hours with a doctor who didn't bother running simple tests. My new doctor drives me a little crazy with them but it gives me some peace of mind. By comparison my previous doctor ran his office like a patient mill and never wanted to do any tests or find anything wrong because that kept him from quickly moving to the next patient.
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I'm glad you're going to get another opinion, OP! Healthcare in America is ridiculously expensive so it annoys me when I hear about stories like this where a doctor just says "Oh, diarrhea every day? No issue there! You're a runner after all!" What kind of nonsense is that? A loose stool every once in a while, sure, but diarrhea every day is not just "no big deal'. It's worse because you got a second opinion and pretty much got the same answer. I hope nothing is wrong but if something is wrong, it's seriously screwed up that you got brushed off not once, but twice. I know it shouldn't be a shock but it still is sometimes.4
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GI. Not normal.0
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Find a Gastroenterologist who will listen to you! I had a microscopic bleed that almost killed me. There are plenty of tests that can be done to find your problem and the resolution for it. I even swallowed a pill-sized camera! Best of luck. Let us know how you are doing. 💖1
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Definitely see a gastroenterologist. In my case, anemia was a symptom of celiac disease. I wasn’t able to absorb the iron in my diet. As other people here have explained, there are other things that can cause it. A good gastro will help you pin down what’s going on. Best of luck:)0
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I think you should get another opinion even if you have to pay for it. Although just to put your mind at rest a little my husband had this problem when he ran a lot, our GP was a runner too, he said it’s the ‘runners trotts’ And is very common.1
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I deal with IBS, and have for long time. Taking 8 g of fiber twice a day has helped me immensely, controlling BMs to a manageable level and consistency. Maybe see a gastroenterologist? That sort of doc will have more insight on what's bugging you.
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As everyone has said, just make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Chronic diarrhea is not normal. I had it for 6 weeks earlier this year (every morning up through about 11AM). It did finally quit. I saw a GI, had a colonoscopy to get tested for microscopic colitis (mentioned above). I don't have it. I don't have celiac either. We don't know what caused it. But, it shouldn't be shrugged off.
As for your low iron, do you have heavy periods at all? That used to cause my low ferritin. Once I went into menopause, everything returned to normal.1 -
I'm surprised they didn't suggest a colonoscopy. When I was diagnosed with anemia, that was the first (and only) thing the doctor recommended. Same with my husband, when his iron was low. But we are older than you. Still, with your family history, they should have at least tested for occult blood.1
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spiriteagle99 wrote: »I'm surprised they didn't suggest a colonoscopy. When I was diagnosed with anemia, that was the first (and only) thing the doctor recommended. Same with my husband, when his iron was low. But we are older than you. Still, with your family history, they should have at least tested for occult blood.
It probably was just an age thing, I’m in my early twenties. My brother in law had stage 4 colon cancer at 27 years old though, so just goes to show age doesn’t always mean everything..3 -
As poster above said, you should get tested for ceoliac disease - since it causes both anemia and bowel issues.
You should also have an FOBT - testing for unseen blood in faeces.
and for pernicious anemia - since your B12 levels were low with normal iron levels
These are basic simple tests which a doctor should run at first presentation.
(I cant access profiles on ipad - I think you are male?
Therefore iron deficiency is not due to heavy periods - the most common cause in young women. If you are not a women of menstruating age, all the more reason above causes should be investigated.)0 -
Agreed with all the above, keep pushing for further tests, see a specialist.
Also - re the diarrhea, it could also be something simple like worms/parasite of some sort so definitely get stool samples!!!
Definitely NOT normal to be having diarrhea every day for ages.1 -
paperpudding wrote: »As poster above said, you should get tested for ceoliac disease - since it causes both anemia and bowel issues.
You should also have an FOBT - testing for unseen blood in faeces.
and for pernicious anemia - since your B12 levels were low with normal iron levels
These are basic simple tests which a doctor should run at first presentation.
(I cant access profiles on ipad - I think you are male?
Therefore iron deficiency is not due to heavy periods - the most common cause in young women. If you are not a women of menstruating age, all the more reason above causes should be investigated.)
No my b12s are normal and I’m female. I’ll bring those concerns up with my Dr , thanks for the help.0 -
paperpudding wrote: »As poster above said, you should get tested for ceoliac disease - since it causes both anemia and bowel issues.
You should also have an FOBT - testing for unseen blood in faeces.
and for pernicious anemia - since your B12 levels were low with normal iron levels
These are basic simple tests which a doctor should run at first presentation.
(I cant access profiles on ipad - I think you are male?
Therefore iron deficiency is not due to heavy periods - the most common cause in young women. If you are not a women of menstruating age, all the more reason above causes should be investigated.)
No my b12s are normal and I’m female. I’ll bring those concerns up with my Dr , thanks for the help.
Were your iron and ferritin both below normal limits?0 -
paperpudding wrote: »As poster above said, you should get tested for ceoliac disease - since it causes both anemia and bowel issues.
You should also have an FOBT - testing for unseen blood in faeces.
and for pernicious anemia - since your B12 levels were low with normal iron levels
These are basic simple tests which a doctor should run at first presentation.
(I cant access profiles on ipad - I think you are male?
Therefore iron deficiency is not due to heavy periods - the most common cause in young women. If you are not a women of menstruating age, all the more reason above causes should be investigated.)
No my b12s are normal and I’m female. I’ll bring those concerns up with my Dr , thanks for the help.
Were your iron and ferritin both below normal limits?
My ferritin was below and iron was border line low I think0 -
paperpudding wrote: »As poster above said, you should get tested for ceoliac disease - since it causes both anemia and bowel issues.
You should also have an FOBT - testing for unseen blood in faeces.
and for pernicious anemia - since your B12 levels were low with normal iron levels
These are basic simple tests which a doctor should run at first presentation.
(I cant access profiles on ipad - I think you are male?
Therefore iron deficiency is not due to heavy periods - the most common cause in young women. If you are not a women of menstruating age, all the more reason above causes should be investigated.)
No my b12s are normal and I’m female. I’ll bring those concerns up with my Dr , thanks for the help.
Were your iron and ferritin both below normal limits?
My ferritin was below and iron was border line low I think
Same here. Low ferritin, borderline low iron in December. Follow up ferritin was unchanged and iron had dropped below normal. That's the point at which my doctor wanted to test for occult blood. Since you're having digestive difficulties, I'm surprised yours hasn't already, but I think we've covered that already lol.
One thing I've learned, you have to ask sometimes. My doctor wasn't going to retest my iron after 6 months. I asked her to at my appointment for prescription refills.1
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