Iron deficiency anemia without an apparent cause

I had gastric bypass in 2000 and was told then that if I didn't take my vitamins I could become anemic. For the last 4 years, my blood work would show that I was anemic and then the next time I wasn't. Finally, last year, my PCP had me have a colonoscopy and endoscopy to determine where I was losing blood. Everything turned out OK. That's when I was sent to an oncologist and was found to have MGUS with anemia deficiency. My journey began then.

Thanks so much for your insight!

Vit C can play a role in the absorption of oral iron in foods. Aspirin over a long period can cause anemia too. There may be a genetic component you have that effects your absorption and metabolism of iron too. Just some possibilities to check out. Best of luck. Have you been checked for Thallasemia ( minor)??

No, I have not, but I will be sure to bring that up with my hematologist. Thanks so much!

A year and a half ago, I presented a hemoglobin of 7g with no evidence of bleeding in upper or lower GI as per scans. The referral to a Hematology/ Oncology doctor revealed an iron deficient anemia. She ruled out a multitude of other diseases that could cause this. I received two separate iron infusions which brought my hemoglobin to 13.5. Since then, I’ve had two six month follow ups. My hemoglobin is now dropping a little,12.3g but I still have a reserve of iron.
The recent batch of testing revealed that I have a JAK2 mutation with a low hemoglobin, slight increase in WBCs and elevated platelets 545. I’m labeled as having PV and have been put on hydroxyurea. I haven’t found anything in the literature about anemia with PV.
Guess I’m in denial.
Ironically I started my career in Hematology before I specialized in genetics. So, I understand the values and symptoms.
I can’t find any information that says you can have polycythemia with a low red count.
Be sure your heme/onc doctor tests for a JAK2 deletion.

Thanks so much for the insight! I really appreciate it!

There is a very long discussion about anemia after Covid vaccinations. If you are vaccinated I would read this thread.

Thanks so much! I will look into that.

@ellen0989 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

You have had some great responses here, and here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about it all: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034

Back in the late 90s, I developed severe anemia. Went through endoscopy, colonoscopy and many tests. They determined it was my large fibroid tumors and extremely heavy periods caused by them, as the reason. I took oral iron supplements, and was put on Lupron shots prior to a hysterectomy January 1999. While that stopped the heavy periods and fibroids, it did not cure my anemia! In fact, the doctor told me to drive carefully, if I got in an accident I would probably bleed out before help could arrive!

What I will say is that underlying medical conditions could be a factor, it's trying to nail everything down. You may have a genetic component that does not allow you to absorb iron. Have they done a ferritin test, Total Iron Binding Capacity [TIBC]? From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_iron-binding_capacity. I have this test done routinely due to my end stage kidney disease, and being on dialysis. I take a chelated iron capsule each night, which is easily tolerated by my system, and eat a healthy diet.

I'll be curious to hear what they find out.
Ginger

Hi Ginger! I have had both of those tests a couple times now. Before the first round of infusions last year, my ferritin was at a 6 and my TIBC was very high. My most recent blood work showed a TIBC in the normal range but another low ferritin level of 10. Thanks so much for the insight!