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Iron Deficiency Anemia & Celiac Disease

milelj

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milelj Rookie
milelj
Posted

Was anyone's diagnosis of Celiac Disease prompted from iron deficiency anemia. I have had issues with this since at least my early twenties. I'm now 29, and trying to figure out the cause of the anemia so I can control it. I'm have moderate anemia (but borderline sever) and have a lot of symptoms from it. I came across Celiac Disease in my search of answers and thought, maybe this is it! Did any of you have iron deficiency anemia prediagnosis of Celiac Disease?

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MollyBeth Contributor
MollyBeth
Posted

Hi there! I was dianosed with a positive biopsy but my doctor first started looking into to the disease because of my chronically low iron. My blood tests started coming up with low iron when I was about 18 (I'm 25 now). Then in the last couple years my protien levels were coming back low and nothing was helping. I took iron supplements forever that just made me sick. I think the possibility of celiac would be worth looking into.

For years I just thought I was anemic and that's the way it was. I finally got a doctor that knew what she was talking about and she explained to me that there has to be an underlying cause for anemia.

Going gluten free has been life changing for me!! I hope that you are able to figure out what's wrong with you and can begin on the road to recovery soon!!

Puddy Explorer
Puddy
Posted

Yes, that was the main reason that prompted my doctor to discover my Celiac Disease. I, too, have had anemia throughout my life. They blamed it on my heavy periods. I would take iron and seem to be OK for awhile. I just figured that was normal. But after I went through menopause, they couldn't use that excuse anymore. I was taking Boniva because I was also diagnosed with osteoporosis last Fall and they thought I might have a bleeding ulcer from the medicine. They were doing the endoscopy to look for an ulcer and when I told the gastroenterologist that I also had lactose intolerance for 30 years, she put it all together and biopsied me for Celiac. When she ran my blood tests, my ferritin level was down to 1. Since going gluten-free, my iron levels are rising nicely. I hope you get your answers soon. Good Luck!

milelj Rookie
milelj
Posted
  • Author

Thank you so much for answering. While I've always had an issue with low iron, I also just thought it was something I was going to have to deal with. I always just thought I was naturally a tired person. But I feel more tired now. And I've also been getting chest pains and shortness of breath the last couple years due to my iron being so low. I'm now stepping up and demanding that my doctor do more tests. I won't just continue to taking iron supplements on and off because it doesn't seem to help, at least not for long. Something else has to be causing my anemia.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

from: Open Original Shared Link

The diagnosis of celiac sprue should be considered in any patient presenting with unexpected or unexplained deficiencies of iron, folate, or other elements, or with nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints undiagnosed by conventional studies. The high prevalence in the general population and the grave consequences of misdiagnosis make celiac sprue a significant health hazard.

from: Open Original Shared Link

Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms and may instead have one or more of the following:

-unexplained iron-deficiency anemia

from: Open Original Shared Link

Many people with celiac disease have anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia

-------

It would be worthwhile to discuss this association with your doctor and ask to be tested.

Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) both IgA and IgG

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) - IgA

Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) - IgA

Total IgA level.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I had issues with low iron for years--I was able to keep it just in the normal range (hemiglobin 10-11) with suppliments for quite a while.

In the year before I was diagnosed, my numbers went from11 to 8 in less than 2 months, and that's when my doctor sat up and took notice. By then, I was fainting, not able to stand for long, and pale as a ghost.

In my case, my number went to 14.6 six months after I began the gluten-free diet. It's stayed at this level now for 3+ years. Anemia is a very common symptom of Celiac.

chuckybaby Rookie
chuckybaby
Posted

A couple months ago I was hospitalized with severe anemia. I had a RBC count of 6. I was given 4 bags of blood in a transfusion. They have found no cause for the anemia. They first thought it may be celiac's and ran the blood test....came out negative. Sent to a gastrologist....he says all my blood work was very similar to a patient he had that had celiac's. Going to do upper endoscopy and capsule endoscopy on Dec 9. I was supposed to have had this done Oct 30 but ended up back in the hospital that week due to a kidney infection....which I swear I got from being hooked up to a catheter while I was being treated for anemia.

While I was in the hospital for the kidney infection my blood count went down again...My Dr thinks this is because I was so dehydrated when I was admitted that they gave me tons of saline and probably flooded my system and flushed out the iron. I'm hoping for a diagnosis soon!!!

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milelj Rookie
milelj
Posted
  • Author

to chuckybaby: Wow! I hope you get a dianosis soon, too. My worst fear is needing a blood transfusion. Keep us updated on what the docs find out.

cymrudenver Apprentice
cymrudenver
Posted

I was diagnosed because of anemia. I had 3 months of weekly IV iron infusions along with going gluten-free and now have normal iron, ferratin and hemoglobin counts.

Bell Apprentice
Bell
Posted

My mum has had chronic anemia for years. She also has an auto-immune disease called lichen sclerosis and sometimes alopecia and before the menopause she had awfully heavy periods, as well as painful fibroids. Her twin sister had severe Dermatitis and tested positive for allegies to many foods, which I'm pretty sure she can now eat again. I've only had a positive blood test, not a biopsy yet. Do you think she should get tested too? I live in the UK and I don't know, but I doubt we get gene testing on the NHS here!

I also posted about my nephew who is autistic. He also was found to be anemic.

milelj Rookie
milelj
Posted
  • Author
My mum has had chronic anemia for years. She also has an auto-immune disease called lichen sclerosis and sometimes alopecia and before the menopause she had awfully heavy periods, as well as painful fibroids. Her twin sister had severe Dermatitis and tested positive for allegies to many foods, which I'm pretty sure she can now eat again. I've only had a positive blood test, not a biopsy yet. Do you think she should get tested too? I live in the UK and I don't know, but I doubt we get gene testing on the NHS here!

I also posted about my nephew who is autistic. He also was found to be anemic.

I just had my blood drawn today to be tested, and am scheduled for the biopsy. I don't have the results yet, but my doctor (also my mom's doctor) said that if I had it, my mom probably does too. I have two girls - ages 1 and 3. If I have it, they will also be tested for it.

CanadianCrone Newbie
CanadianCrone
Posted

I am a 70 year old who has had to receive B12 shots for pernicious anaemia for a number of years...and will continue to require them for the rest of my life. My youngest son is 26 years old, has Down syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder and was only diagnosed with Celiac Disease two years ago.

He was Lactose Intolerant for many years but, since he didn't exhibit the usual symptoms, I had to fight to get him diagnosed.. Afterwards, I felt there was still something they weren't 'getting at,' but no Dr. told me that any child who is Lactose Intolerant .. should be tested for Celiac Disease! Again, he didn't show the usual symptoms, so I had to pressure for the biopsy.

Just last week I found out that the Drs. should be investigating anaemia in anyone with Celiac Disease ... but especially anyone who has a family member with anaemia!

I'm waiting for my honorary medical degree :blink:

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