This is a gross question, sorry!

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Replies

  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    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.

    Have you tried Spatone? My ferritin was low, and that increased it. It's a liquid iron supplement that's easy on the stomach and more absorbable than other forms of iron. I get the one with vitamin C added, for increased absorption. I used to be able to find it at Walgreens, but now have to order it from Amazon, and it's shipped from the UK.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,300 Member
    Just trying a different iron supplement isn't going to help - OP needs to have investigations to determine the cause.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    edited June 2019
    paperpudding wrote: »
    Just trying a different iron supplement isn't going to help - OP needs to have investigations to determine the cause.

    I wasn't responding to OP, just suggesting to PP she may want to look at other iron supplements. I've known others for whom Spatone worked well for ferritin also. Clearly I wasn't responding to the diarrhea issue.
  • Pearl4686
    Pearl4686 Posts: 918 Member
    veganbaum wrote: »

    Have you tried Spatone? My ferritin was low, and that increased it. It's a liquid iron supplement that's easy on the stomach and more absorbable than other forms of iron. I get the one with vitamin C added, for increased absorption. I used to be able to find it at Walgreens, but now have to order it from Amazon, and it's shipped from the UK.

    My 2 cents here.
    I have used Spatone. I think Spatone is fine as a home remedy but as many suggested above, OP is best of with medical advice. Spatone contains way below the level of iron compared to prescribed iron and was recommended to me when my iron was within normal levels, but near the low end and I was a little tired (& pregnant). The OP has more pressing issues that are best of dealt with by a doctor.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    Perla4686 wrote: »
    veganbaum wrote: »

    Have you tried Spatone? My ferritin was low, and that increased it. It's a liquid iron supplement that's easy on the stomach and more absorbable than other forms of iron. I get the one with vitamin C added, for increased absorption. I used to be able to find it at Walgreens, but now have to order it from Amazon, and it's shipped from the UK.

    My 2 cents here.
    I have used Spatone. I think Spatone is fine as a home remedy but as many suggested above, OP is best of with medical advice. Spatone contains way below the level of iron compared to prescribed iron and was recommended to me when my iron was within normal levels, but near the low end and I was a little tired (& pregnant). The OP has more pressing issues that are best of dealt with by a doctor.

    Mine was low, and I used it and it raised my levels. In fact, I think I first learned of it from a poster here.

    Regardless, I already said I wasn't responding to OP, as clearly indicated by my quoting pinuplove.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    veganbaum wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    Just trying a different iron supplement isn't going to help - OP needs to have investigations to determine the cause.

    I wasn't responding to OP, just suggesting to PP she may want to look at other iron supplements. I've known others for whom Spatone worked well for ferritin also. Clearly I wasn't responding to the diarrhea issue.

    I feel like I've veered the conversation off course. Apologies to @FL_Hiker

    As for me, I'm on the only form of iron I've tried that doesn't give me gastro distress that makes it almost unbearable to take (Feosol complete) at a dosage recommended by my doctor. We'll retest in 3 months. Still in the process of investigating the underlying cause. I appreciate the suggestion :smile: A liquid form was next on my list to try if I didn't tolerate this one.

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