This is a gross question, sorry!

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Replies

  • HernSneed
    HernSneed Posts: 1 Member
    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.
  • CMNVA
    CMNVA Posts: 733 Member
    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.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,668 Member
    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.
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    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..
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 8,926 Member
    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.)
  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,913 Member
    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.
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    edited June 2019
    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.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
    FL_Hiker 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?
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker 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
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker 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.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    FL_Hiker 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: 8,926 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
    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: 12,874 Member
    veganbaum 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.