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Help!!!
I’ve had dizziness, fainting, extreme fatigue, general malaise, red scaly patches of dry skin all over my yotse(and a small lump appeared last night). This has been going on for for years and in November I could not ignore this anymore. I’ve had so many blood tests and the lastest test shows that since November my iron went from dangerously low (6) to high (144) and my ferritin went from dangerously low at 15 to worse at a 9. My red blood cells are very small in size and my vitamin d and b-12 are also dangerously low.
I have had a feeling this may be leukemia or lymphoma for some time now. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I’ve so desperate for answers. I don’t like living like this.
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Hang in there. These things are not mysteries for long once the diagnostics have been done, and you'll have a roadmap to follow in due course. You'd be surprised how often these things are corrected with some vitamins, or maybe a minor surgery, or maybe even a bone marrow transplant that puts everything right again.
Have faith. Your body has let you know it needs something, an intervention, or materials it isn't getting, or something is amiss in its processing of what you ingest. You responded, and now you must wait for the experts to figure out what all the numbers mean.
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10 ReactionsWelcome to Connect @jennifernoeldennis. How frustrating for you to have had these symptoms for years without any clue what’s causing them. I’m sure the extreme fatigue and fainting are greatly impacting your life.
Generally speaking, when red blood cells are smaller than normal it can be an indication of anemia. Smaller red blood cells don’t carry as much oxygen and that causes fatigue as well as other symptoms. It’s most often caused by iron deficiency. Many cases can be treated with supplements and diet changes.
You mentioned that your Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D are also dangerously low. Not surprisingly, having a deficiency in one or both of those vitamins can impact your body with similar symptoms.
Actually, to explain it better than I can, here are a few articles that might shed some light on the issues.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025
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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22831-vitamin-b12-deficiency
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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency
Whom are you seeing for your blood work? Is this a primary care physician? Sometimes blood health related issues are beyond the scope of a family doctor. Have you considered a second option with a hematologist?
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14 ReactionsAlways always in such situations get multiple opinions.
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6 ReactionsHave you been tested for celiac disease? Celiac disease presents with many symptoms, among them anemia and vitamin deficiency.
I was very anemic with very low ferritin when I was diagnosed over 15 years ago. Prior to diagnosis I thought I had cancer, I was so sick and weak.
I hope you find answers and your health improves.
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5 ReactionsI'm surprised your physician hasn't recommended you to Hem/Onc for a workup. Why aren't you asking to be referred to someone with the knowledge to help you?
You are playing with fire if you don't tend to your needs.
You won't get any help by wishing or wondering about something, but you will get help when you are proactive and demand answers from your physician and a referral.
Good luck. What on earth is "yotse"?
What has your physician said and/or recommended? Or has he/she? If not then seek a second opinion or self refer to another physician/hematologist. I'm sure it is a very worrisome place to be.