1. Community
  2. Blood & Immune System
  3. Anaemia

Unexplained Iron Deficiency Anemia

Posted , 5 users are following.

Rokas_Gustys
Rokas_Gustys

Hello, I am male, 24, and I have iron deficiency anemia which I cannot cure or treat.

I've been to the dr's and they've checked my upper and lower gi tract and found no abnormalities or an explanation for the low iron levels.

They suggest taking iron tablets, which I do. I've been taking them for more than 8 months now, with no improvement.

I've tried many different brands of iron. I took it with orange juice, vitamin C and B vitamins, always on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating.

Beyond this point, the doctor has no suggestion for me at all. So I stumped as to what can be done.

The fatigue is so strong, I can barely work. Hobbies feel like chores and I just have no mood for anything in life.

Am I doomed? Is there nothing I can do? Maybe it's just my doctor who might be missing something? Maybe there are some rare conditions that could be looked at?

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Capsicum
    Capsicum Rokas_Gustys

    Posted

    I have had iron deficiency now for 3 years. Like you I have had every test going to find what is causing it. They think I must be bleeding internally but gastroscopies and colonoscopies and the camera capsule you swallow have found nothing. I have regular iron infusions.which work for about 3 months. Have they tried these? I have a brand called Ferinject. My consultant says it’s a mystery and I suppose I’m waiting for something bad to become evident but it is possible, he says, for this to continue for life. It feels horrible when the iron levels fall. My main symptom is shortness of breath. Perhaps you can ask about iron infusions? Good luck. 
    • silentboy
      silentboy Capsicum

      Posted

      I have exact same symptoms. Low serum iron which is not responding to iron. What about your ferritin. Is it normal? Mine was normal. I think now I also have to try iron infusion as nothing could increase my serum iron.
  • mimichacha
    mimichacha Rokas_Gustys

    Posted

    I would suggest you get tested for Helicobacter Pylori. I too was diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia and my Drs couldn’t find the cause until a biopsy was done and stomach sample during my gastroscopy was I found to have HPylori infection. The bacteria works in a way that you don’t always get symptoms so you think nothing is wrong however it can prevent the nutrients from being absorbed by your body, hence your low iron. It can be detected via biopsy smaller in gastrsocopy, stool sample or breath test. 

    You can can also try an iron infusion which will raise your levels quicker than the tablets. 

  • martin31040
    martin31040 Rokas_Gustys

    Posted

    Hi, do you know your ferritin level ? ie the iron store, and do you know your haemoglobin level?, I take bisglycinate iron supplement I open up the capsule into vitamin C drink, about 500 mg vitamin C, twice per day.
  • silentboy
    silentboy Rokas_Gustys

    Posted

    I am also male and have the same problem. I think as @capsicum said only iron infusion can help us. No other way to increase serum iron for us.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.