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Iron deficiency anemia without an apparent cause
I'm a 21-year-old female. Last year, after a routine trip to my primary care physician, I received alarming blood test results and was sent to a hematologist who diagnosed me with severe iron deficiency anemia. Initially, the anemia was thought to be caused by heavy menstrual bleeding, and so in addition to being given two iron infusions, I was also put on an oral contraceptive that has halted the heavy bleeding entirely. Over the course of the last few months, the typical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia began to return (dizziness, fatigue, restless leg syndrome, headaches, etc.) and after another trip to the hematologist, I was once again diagnosed with anemia and have at this point received the first of two more iron infusions. After consulting with my hematologist, he recommended that I take another trip to see my primary care physician who can hopefully run some more tests to try and determine the cause of the anemia. Does anyone know of any other common causes of iron-deficiency anemia or has anyone had a similar experience?
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@arla
This is what's happening with me... which is strange cause all my life i had unusually high iron levels..like i smelled like pennies when i bleed..so much so I had to get blood thinner shots with my 2nd pregnancy after birth.. but just found out last yr that my iron is way low anemic now and my ferrtin is way low too.. they gave me 2 iron infusion back in August and September of last yr...iron and ferrtin was good till the 1st of the yr tho they continued to fall all yr...then they fell quick...I go every 3 months to the hematology to get checked...in April my levels were so low but not low enough for my insurance to pay for more iron infusions..I go back to hematology on Thursday they already know they're going to schedule my iron infusions... but doctors can't figure out what's going on..no bleeding anywhere...I have PCOS and have aways had heavy periods... now im skipping and my last period was sooo light.. which never happens...I know something isnt right.. but the doctors go off test results...wish I knew what was going on.
@phaij22
What your pattern actually points toward is gastrointestinal bleeding Ulcers, Polyps, Hemorrhoids (sometimes not obvious)
Doctors usually check this with: Stool tests and or Endoscopy/colonoscopy (if needed)
Further, it could be Celiac Disease, Autoimmune diseases or Chronic infections.
I hope you find the culprit.