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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 50
Location: Coventry
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Hi
Im fairly new to the forum so i hope i'm posting in the right place!
I.ve had RA for 6 years and my anemia is a constant problem.I,ve had many tests and there are no other health problems eg thyroid etc.or bleeding from anywhere in the body.
I,ve just had my latest blood results and it's back down to 8.1 =really low again,so i've had to restart the iron tablets which i absolutely loathe-they make me feel sick and give me stomach pains.My question is has anybody managed to raise there iron levels through diet or other natural methods? I know its silly,im on many tablets and injections for RA but the iron tablets really get me down for some reasons
I should mention that i.ve been vegetarian for 20 yrs but i've had 3 large babies in that time and my iron levels were fine through all my pregnancies - i never needed iron before RA
Thanks for reading
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Julie,
Sorry to hear you are suffering with this. I don't have anaemia but it can be a problem with RA.
As regards the iron tablets upsetting you....don't just put up with it, go back to your GP and tell him and see if he will change it to a different iron tablet. They do tend to start off with the cheaper tablets, I found this out when I was anaemic after I'd had my daughter, my GP said he had tried a cheaper drug but changed it to another which was enteric coated and it was much better, I tolerated it with no problems.
So don't suffer unnecessarily, go back to your GP and see if he can find one that you can tolerate.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Julie Just want to agree with Doreen. There is no need for you to feel sick all the time, and the GP can change the tablets until you find something that suits you. I've had a few bouts of anaemia over the years because of the RA but have never been sick with the tabs. Just terribly, terribly constipated  Hope you manage to get sorted out quickly. Love Jeanx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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Hi Julie
Sorry to hear you are suffering so much, I am not good with iron tablets from the doctor either, have tried different ones but they cause hell to my stomach so I do empathise with you.
I take Floradix Liquid Iron & Vitamin Formula from the health shop or you can purchase it online.
Floradix liquid Iron formula contains vitamins, herbal extract and fruit concentrates and I find it does increase my iron levels.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Hello Julie
I've noticed that my readings are low. According to my booklet the range for a woman is 12-16. Mine a few months ago was 9.1. Did mention it to my consultant and he said I was a bit anemic and that was that, nothing else said. It's never been in the 12 range since I've been getting my readings in my MTX booklet.
Does anyone know how low it has to be before something is done? A bit worried now.
Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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As a nurse I was always told any Hb lower than 11 should be treated.
Your 9.1 Paula is very low and so is Julie's 8.1 and needs treatment unless the guidelines have changed.
My Hb was 9.0 after I'd given birth and it was treated with iron tabs.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 154
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Hello Julie and Paula,
I have constantly been anaemic with the RA over the last 40 years and also had problems with oral iron.
In the past I had iron injections, but these dont appear to be available to GPs any more. However when my Hb dropped to 7 I was whipped in for a Cosmofer(iron) infusion. have also had blood tranfusions after surgeries. These do last for a while, but my consultant says that if the RA is kept under control the Hb will rise as mine is anaemia of chronic disease. Also got coeliac disease which doesnt help, but I'm very strict on gluten free now I know!
When my Hb was 8 I got very breathless on exertion, which isnt good, and also prone to faintness after eating. At 8 or 9 you will feel very tired indeed. Now it's about 10 which isnt bad for me.
Do follow this up with the docs, whichever one will listen best.
Good luck and take care,
Lizx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 50
Location: Coventry
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Thanks for all the replies
i have to say i'm very lucky with my rhuemy team and GP they are very good in prescribing different brands of drugs -i have tried just about every iron tablet available but they do still affect me badly,but i will definitely try the Floridax -thanks for the info on that Rebecca
If my iron levels fall below 9.5 i always get the dreaded phone call to restart iron -the rhuemy nurse says this is the guidelines in this area but others may diifer.Normal HB is 12 - 16 apparently
Thanks again
Julie xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Julie, I don't think the floridax on its own will be enough as your Hb is so low.....ask your GP's opinion before you take it.
Have you tried Ferrograd tablets (prescription drug)? These are bright red with a smooth coating and are the only iron tabs I can take without problems.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I looked on the internet last night and did read that chemo can make your levels drop.
If you are anemic and it is left untreated, what happens?
I'm having my bloods done next week at my hospital, I will get last months results put in my booklet. If they are low again I am going to ask questions.
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 177
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Hi Julie
Sorry you have a problem with low HB. My mum has had RA for many years and like you was constantly aneamic. The doctors found out that her B12 wasn't right and that was why she couldn't absorve the iron. She had B12 injections and then she could absorve the iron meds.
Just a thought and it might not be the same with you but i thought i would mention it for when you next see your GP.
Love Shirley x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 50
Location: Coventry
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Hi all
Thanks for the comments
Doreen i'm on Ferrograd at present and these were the ones that upset me least so i'll stick with these at present
Paula my rheumy tells me that anemia is very common with RA and especially if your'e on MTX -this ties in with what you found on the internet.If my HB drops below 9.0 i feel breathless and extremely tired -even more so than usual so make sure you bring this up at your appointment it really does need adressing .
Shirley can i ask how your mum was diagnosed with the B12 deficency was it through a blood test? - i've had numerous blood tests to try and find a cause but i didn't question what they were for...i was just told that they were all OK. I'm seeing the consultant in November so i'll check i've been tested for this too
Many thanks again for the replies-much appreciated
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 336
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Hi Julie, my GP has been watching my blood because my reading had droped to 7. I've bee having so many blood tests to check it that I thought that might be the reason ( I'm only joking ) My normal reading has been around 11. I had surgery on my femeral arteries and lost a lot of blood. The last test shows it has returned to normal. My Doc has cecked B12 and folic acid levels which are ok, I've been having B12 three monthly injections for years now. You had said about making up the iron by diet and I've been eating lots of baked beens, love them. I had checked that they have loads of iron. Lots of leafy veg including lettuce and lots of pulses, mushhy peas. I bought some soup and broth mix at Tesco and added this to tinned soups, it contains lentils, peas and grains. I'm sure being a vegaterian that you know all this but I thought I'd mention that this has helped me. Hope that you pick up soon. Glenys.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/26/2010 Posts: 71 Location: London
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Hi Julie,
I was threatened by my renal consultant with intravenous iron a few years ago when my levels were very low - about 8. I found Spatone water sachets which you can get in Boots, chemists and some larger supermarkets and took 2 each day with fruit juice. My levels went up to 11 and have since been even higher. Since getting RA I've made sure I take 2 sachets a day with no digestive/sickness issues and a couple of friends who had anaemia during pregnancy also found it fantastic.
Hope you find some success with it soon,
Vicky xx
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/11/2010 Posts: 14
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not sure if this is usefull but i have a type of anemia due to being very low in b12, when it was eventually diagnosed i was prescribed b12 injections , i still have these monthly. I did nt have this problem prior to RA. It was diagnosed via a bllod test to look at b12 level. It s aproblem with absorbtion of ib12 so cant be improved by diet alone, might be worth having the test 
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 7/6/2011
Posts: 11
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Hello I've suffered from anemia for years. A mix of RA and other issues. I have managed to get my iron levels up by taking the iron tablets and eating lots of iron rich foods. My doctor has always told me to take the iron tablets along with fruit juice as this boosts the iron absorption. Never take the iron tablets with milk or caffeine as this reduces the absorption. My doctors have always tried for me to get my Hb levels up above 11 which can be a struggle.
Good Luck
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi, I was told by my consultant that I am anaemic and to see my GP, after seeing her I was sent for more bloods. I have been trying to get another appt with her, but the wait is currently two weeks to see any doctor at the practice!!! It is possible to get an emergency appt, but I dont think its exactly an emergency, and I'd rather see the GP from last time. I suppose it can wait a bit longer lol!!  BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Do you know Barbara what your readings were when you was told to see your GP?
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Paula, I have no idea from the consultant, my gp said its not too low, it was 9. something BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/6/2011 Posts: 65
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Hi,
Anemia is an old 'friend' of mine too- RA can cause it, MTX and other meds can and also I have coeliac disease so a collection of possible causes.
In terms of iron pills from Dr's- they will raise the levels quickly but tend to block one up, but there are purer forms - pure ferrous sulphate is okay but it may not be as suitable for you so you may need to try a couple.
Floridix etc contains little amounts of iron compared to what you require so you'd need to be downing the whole bottle for any fast effects. I drank it alot with one or two pregnancies but it never helped much.
Herbs are good- nettles are an excellent source of iron and cleanse the blood. The best variety are literally the ones which grow outside- you need a young plant, snap the flower par- infuse it in boiling water for 5-8mins and drink. You may need to add honey as it is a sharp and sour taste but after a few days of three cups a day the difference is awesome.
Yellow dock root is also excellent for iron levels.
Also, you may consider being tested for pernicious anemia http://www.nhs.uk/condit...Pages/Introduction.aspx
Hope this helps a little- good luck!
Amanda
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