Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi everyone, I hope you are doing ok,
i read this forum daily, but rarely post, but I was wondering if anyone knows if iron levels fall due to any of my conditions,
PMR Sjogrens and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or could it be some of my tablets causing it, Prednisolone, azathioprine or Plaquenil, my doctor is wondering why my iron is low.
Thank you in advance for any responses/ideas.
keep well and keep happy!!!
0 likes, 9 replies
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kathy67492 adette01750
Posted
I have had very low iron due to PMR, especially in the first couple of years. I took a prescribed iron pill until my blood tested ok. I always blame everything on PMR or the prednisone! You probably have enough fatigue with the PMR...don't need low iron.😊
MariGrace adette01750
Posted
Hello. I'm MariGrace, new to the list, diagnosed with PRM in May of this year. This list is so helpful, thank you so much.
Because I've not introduced myself, I'm hesitant to jump in, but my first thought after reading your post is the possibility of ulcers? My Rheumatologist and Gastroenterologist have me on Omeprazole because prednisone is known to cause ulcers. I have ulcers (with esophagitis) due to silent GERD. It is a thought. Any internal bleeding could be a cause of low iron. Both my internal doctor and the Rheumatologist mentioned the prednisone and the incidence of ulcers.
If anyone takes omeprazole, the hard learned lesson is that it should not be taken within 4 hours of synthroid or other thyroid medication (and I suspect prednisone, too.) It'll block the absorption. I was told one hour, but that is nowhere near enough time.
The Rheumatologist also alerted me to other co-conditions to PMR. It's good that your doctor is alert.
PMR is my third autoimmune disease. My Hashimoto's is active, Behcet's is in remission.
My prednisone is being reduced from 60. I am now at 40 mg. Unfortunately, there is disease breakthrough at the 40 level and it isn't good. The onset of PMR was vicious, debilitating, and such a shock. At nearing 70, retired and active .. oh. my. goodness.
I'm so sorry others are going through this, I'd never heard of PMR- and am not sure that the initial shock has worn off, yet. Thank you for this forum.
Take care.
MariGrace
heather39822 adette01750
Posted
My GP (whose knowledge of PMR is limited) often mentions my low iron after my regular blood tests and asks if I'm eating sufficient red meat. I'm seeing her today and will mention your theory. Thank you.
adette01750 heather39822
Posted
Thank you Heather, I do take omeprazole for gastric prevention, I know it's bank holiday in England so I presume that you are not in England seeing your GP.
I have 3 auto immune too, we are just greedy.
good luck with your GP appointment.
EileenH adette01750
Posted
One form of anaemia is associated with autoimmune disorders - and all 3 of your conditions are autoimmune in origin. There are also autoimmune disorders which cause severe anaemia - which he should be testing for to rule them out. Anyone who has one a/i disorder is at a higher risk of another - and it may not stop at 3 unfortunately!
Your doctor wonders why? If he doesn't know that it makes me wonder a bit about his ability to manage a patient with 3 different a/i disorders!
EileenH
Posted
Should have also said in the first sentence that many chronic diseases lead to anaemia.
"Anemia of chronic disease is a condition that can be associated with many different underlying disorders including chronic illnesses such as cancer, certain infections, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Anemia is characterized by low levels of circulating red blood cells or hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. Anemia of chronic disease is usually a mild or moderate condition. In mild cases, anemia may not be associated with any symptoms or may cause fatigue, paleness of the skin (pallor) and lightheadedness. The underlying mechanisms that cause anemia of chronic disease are complex and not fully understood."
Google "anaemia of chronic disease" to get more info.
adette01750 EileenH
Posted
Your wise words are so true as ever thank you.
The gp I saw Saturday was not my usual GP will speak to hospital consult in September.
Thank you again for your help.
Have a good day!!!
ClaireJG adette01750
Posted
Hi Adette
I have low ferritin (iron stores) and Hb, indicating anaemia, which worried my rheumatologist, so she referred me to a gastroenterologist. She wanted to rule out cancer rather than ulcers. Meanwhile my GP and my Occupational Health doctor both assured me it was very likely to be due to "anaemia of chronic disease", as Eileen has described. I saw the gastroenterologist last week, who was lovely (wish he was a rheumatologist!) and he has arranged more specific iron tests and agrees that it is very likely to be due to anaemia of chronic disease. I have always had issues with very low ferritin, and several years ago was advised to exclude gluten from my diet, which the doctors felt was affecting the absorption of iron from my diet. It helped considerably, and until the onset of PMR, I had satisfactory levels of ferritin and Hb.
adette01750 ClaireJG
Posted
Thank you for your reply, very interesting. I am having ferritin levels and coeliac bloods done to name but a few. They will probably show all is well, but I did wonder if there was a link with auto immune and anaemia.
Take care
Adette