@brasileira I have a hiatal hernia and my iron level is borderline but I believe in my case it is because I don’t eat much meat and am not fond of the iron rich veggies either. I take a B12 sublingual tablet every day because of that.

Hi. I have a large hiatal hernia that didn't give me problems until recently. I had low iron last year for months. I started taking an iron tablet each day but then stopped. Last Jan. I had routine blood work and my hemoglobin had dropped to about 6.4 and I had to get to the er for a blood transfusion. They also ordered an endoscopy the next day and found that I had ulcers and Cameron ulcers on the hernia which I guess is not that unusual. The ulcers were bleeding which turned out to be the cause of my very low hemoglobin. The Eliquis (blood thinner) I take for afib contributed to the slow bleed. Otherwise, the results of the endoscopy were OK. The gastroenterologist increased my dosage of protonix to twice a day. The ulcers healed and my blood count went back up. I wasn't able to take my eliquis until my hemoglobin got up to 10 which took several months. I didn't realize how bad I was feeling until after the transfusion. Kind of snuck up on me. Before, I was feeling so tired and out of breath. A follow up endoscopy showed the ulcers had healed but I still have to watch this hernia thing. This may not be the case for you but I thought I would share.

I was first diagnosed with anemia and was given both blood transfusion and iron infusion. About 8 months later I had the worst experience with extreme nausea & vomiting and went to hospital emergency and was diagnosed with a "peach" sized hiatal hernia. I was given two options: immediate surgery due to the effect of my stomach slipping into the hernia or laparoscopic surgery a "fundoplication." I had to wait 6 agonizing weeks before being scheduled - during that time I ate very small meals and baby food -nothing that could get stuck like bread. It's been over five years and so far no issues. Hernia's can grow and the anemia that I had was probably due to stomach bleeding. My advice is to find out from an experienced laparoscopic doctor it your hernia can be treated!