Anemic for a year, still undiagnosed

Posted by pamrod02 @pamrod02, May 2, 2023

I was diagnosed as being slightly anemic about a year ago. Stool sample had blood. I had a colonoscopy done, Doc removed 3 hyper plastic polyps, benign. I saw an oncologist after that. He said if anemia gets worse, you need to have a bone marrow biopsy. Biopsy was negative, undiagnosed. Since then I have blood/labs done every 3 months. Last labs were done 2 weeks ago. Hemoglobin is slightly low, but stable. Iron is 26, and iron sat is now %. Doc says to take 2 iron pills a day, instead of 1, and repeat labs in 4 months. This is concerning to me, as I'm still undiagnosed. Anyone else have same symptoms, etc?

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@astaingegerdm

@pamrod02
How are you feeling nowadays when you are taking extra iron?
Waiting is difficult when you want an answer but necessary to see if this was a temporary anemia or beginning of something else.
Good point is that nothing serious have been found yet.
If you continue to show abnormalities you probably will see a hematologist- sometimes that could be an oncologist.
Hoping for good results.

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Hi, and thanks for your reply. I haven't started taking the extra iron yet. I have an appointment next week to see my PCP. I was going to ask her about this, and a lot of other questions. I've been seen a oncologist for about 7 months. I've had several blood tests, bone marrow biopsy , etc. I have to repeat blood tests in 4 months. So far, there is no specific diagnosis.

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@pamrod02

Hi, and thanks for your reply. I haven't started taking the extra iron yet. I have an appointment next week to see my PCP. I was going to ask her about this, and a lot of other questions. I've been seen a oncologist for about 7 months. I've had several blood tests, bone marrow biopsy , etc. I have to repeat blood tests in 4 months. So far, there is no specific diagnosis.

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Hoping for good results!
Our bodies are strange- sometimes wish we could plug in a computer like they do with cars to find out what’s wrong!

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@astaingegerdm

Hoping for good results!
Our bodies are strange- sometimes wish we could plug in a computer like they do with cars to find out what’s wrong!

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Thank you! yes, it's a hurry up and wait kind of thing

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@pamrod02
I waited a few years to finally find out about one of my GI autoimmune diseases- regular testing at Mayo. Of course it was an unusual one. It’s just nice to know what makes you feel less than perfect.

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Hello, I have had anemia since November 2020. I've had blood transfusions, endoscopy and colonoscopy. I have cirrhosis of the liver and my body is not absorbing nutrients like it used to. However, I tried iron infusions that would help temporarily and I would end up back where I started. I started taking iron pills but it made me constipated. So, I started taking ferrous glucanate 3 times a day. My hemoglobin increased to the point of normal range for a woman. I feel so much better and I am able to do things around the house again. So, my doctor and I are monitoring it every 3-4 months. I hope you feel better soon.

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I have Been Diagnosed with possible CCUS as well.
Seems to affect white cells , Platelets and Neutrophils.
I'm haveing a CBC test done once a month by my regular hematologist.
next generation sequencing being done through the Mayo Clinic. I have yet to get those results.
I always feel fine . only been in the hospital once with a massive pulmonary embolism in 2017.
Im currrently on eliquis 2.5 mg 1 in the morning and 1 at night.
this has been on going with me for about 25-30 years.

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