Iron Infusions

[KittenPA]

My initial symptom of celiac that started me down the path toward a diagnosis was anemia.  Iron supplements have gotten me to the point where I am no longer anemic, however I am still significantly iron deficient.  I get my first iron infusion today.

The hematologist said that I am going to need infusions over the longer term - at least once a year, but more frequently right now as they try to get things to an optimal level.  Is anyone else getting regular infusions?  I guess the concern is the amount of damage to my small intestine and not knowing how well or if it will heal.

[Posterboy]

  On 6/10/2022 at 10:17 AM, KittenPA said:

My initial symptom of celiac that started me down the path toward a diagnosis was anemia.  Iron supplements have gotten me to the point where I am no longer anemic, however I am still significantly iron deficient.  I get my first iron infusion today.

The hematologist said that I am going to need infusions over the longer term - at least once a year, but more frequently right now as they try to get things to an optimal level.  Is anyone else getting regular infusions?  I guess the concern is the amount of damage to my small intestine and not knowing how well or if it will heal.

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KittenPA,

My nephew is going through this now!......and the doctor's can't figure it out because the don't understand basic nutrition.

You will become low in Iron, and Copper, and Zinc and Magnesium etc.....IE your minerals when your stomach acid is not strong enough to dissolve them.......what your stomach acid can't dissolve your Villi can't absorb.....

See this research about it entitled "Is achlorhydria a cause of iron deficiency anemia" and yes NO stomach means you will develop Iron deficiency Anemia.....

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/102/1/9/4564242

Also doctor's over concentrate on Iron......to your detriment.....no being aware the absorption of Iron also needs Copper as well!

See this article about it that explains it well.... entitled "Iron and copper relationship is studied"

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2007-07-iron-copper-relationship.html#:~:text=Iron and copper relationship is studied. Hereditary hemochromatosis,body iron levels resulting from any medical condition

Almost 15 years ago.....this relationship between Iron and Copper was proven....but it has not made it down to the clinical level IE doctor's level yet....

I will quote the whole article because it is short and informative....and highlight/note the part about the Copper/Iron axis that is important....

quoting from the study

"U.S. scientists studying the relationship of iron and copper in the body have found when iron absorption by cells decreases, copper absorption increases.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professionals, led by Assistant Professor James Collins, found iron is only half of an all-important duo of trace minerals -- the other being copper -- that work in tandem to maintain proper iron balance, or homeostasis.

"Iron or copper deficiency causes anemia, and abnormal intestinal iron transport is associated with several common human pathologies, including anemia of chronic disease (or ACD) and hereditary hemochromatosis, different forms of which result from several common genetic defects," said Collins.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high absorption of dietary iron, which is deposited in body tissues and organs, where it may become toxic. ACD is a blood disorder caused by low body iron levels resulting from any medical condition that affects the production and lifespan of red blood cells, such as chronic infection.

The study was funded by a $1.38 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases."

It takes BOTH Iron and COPPER to maintain Iron balance.......

Addressing your low Stomach acid will help your low Iron levels.

You can also take a Zinc/Copper supplement in the meantime.

I have written several Posterboy blog posts about the Low Stomach Acid that occurs in Celiac disease and/or NCGS .....and it might help you to read one or more of them.

Here is the one that most directly describes and explains your issues with Iron deficiency Anemia aka IDA.

From that blog post you can find other's that might be helpful to  you.....

I hope this  is helpful but it is not medical advice.

Good luck on your continued journey!

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Posterboy by the Grace of God,

[Scott Adams]

To address low stomach acid some people take HCL supplements, and here is some research on this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7238915/