Erythrocytosis: Any suggestions for low ferritin due to phlebotomies?

Posted by rmegg @rmegg, Oct 14, 2022

I have erythrocytosis

My ferritin is very low due to the phlybotomies

Any suggestions

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Hi, do you have anemia?

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Welcome back, @rmegg, If I'm reading your message correctly, Idiopathic Erythrocytosis (Polycythemia) for which standard treatment is frequent blood withdrawals (phlebotomy). Now the effective treatment is causing low levels of ferritin in your blood, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Have I got that right?

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Yes. My ferritin count has gone from 171 to 12

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Yes, I have PV so I take a gentle iron pill (Solgar 25MG) once a week, it works.

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@robinll

Yes, I have PV so I take a gentle iron pill (Solgar 25MG) once a week, it works.

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Ty

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@rmegg

Yes. My ferritin count has gone from 171 to 12

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Have you had a COVID vaccination or tested positive for COVID in the last 6 months? My ferritin plummeted after vaccination. IV Iron so far seems to be the solution with hematologist - see this thread about sudden Anemia and low Ferritin after vaccination "Iron Depletion in Blood related to COVID?" PS - OTC and perscription Iron supplements did not help so IV iron was only option.

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@healthnut77

Have you had a COVID vaccination or tested positive for COVID in the last 6 months? My ferritin plummeted after vaccination. IV Iron so far seems to be the solution with hematologist - see this thread about sudden Anemia and low Ferritin after vaccination "Iron Depletion in Blood related to COVID?" PS - OTC and perscription Iron supplements did not help so IV iron was only option.

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No. It is from the phlebotomies.

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@healthnut77

Have you had a COVID vaccination or tested positive for COVID in the last 6 months? My ferritin plummeted after vaccination. IV Iron so far seems to be the solution with hematologist - see this thread about sudden Anemia and low Ferritin after vaccination "Iron Depletion in Blood related to COVID?" PS - OTC and perscription Iron supplements did not help so IV iron was only option.

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After covid vaccine, my hemoglobin would not come back up despite oral iron and 5 iron infusions. I had been off and on oral iron for about 10 years and it always worked before vaccine. I have now been diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s. Did vaccine cause Hemoglobin to not come back up?

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@jackir

After covid vaccine, my hemoglobin would not come back up despite oral iron and 5 iron infusions. I had been off and on oral iron for about 10 years and it always worked before vaccine. I have now been diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s. Did vaccine cause Hemoglobin to not come back up?

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Sorry to hear of your health diagnoses. Have you joined this thread? "Iron Depletion in Blood related to COVID?" - might have some help to you.

Also, I have seen somewhere in the thread “Low Platelets: Diagnosis to be confirmed” a medical provider talking about a prescription “Rituxan” that keeps b cells from attacking your body. Maybe something to run by your doctor for a potential treatment option?

Hope you get some answers soon and feel better!

Side note - supplemental oral iron worked for me prior to COVID when my iron was lower (not clinically low) and it no longer seems to work. IV iron did work for me after 5 rounds but only time will tell if it stays up. RDW values are still abnormal though (and even worse after IV iron) and awaiting follow up on why that is.

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Same situation @rmegg . I know you get your CBC panel with Diff & Ferritin test before your phlebotomies so just ask your PCP if they can add or recommend iron supplements as an RX e.g. Ferrous Sulfate.

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