+ 10 ***Iron Deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. What is it.What does it look like on a blood test. What causes it.***
Iron Deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. What is it.What does it look like on a blood test. What causes it.
Some of you know I comment on bloods and I have been seeing this happening more and more so I decided to write this so you can keep your eyes open for it. So I’ll start by telling you why you need iron. In simple terms it does a few things. First it’s part of all cells. It’s used in the transport of oxygen, energy production, fighting against infections, and the making of vital hormones. So as you can see it’s pretty important but it’s main function is carrying oxygen. When it’s low you will feel out of sorts. You will feel fatigued and out breath at times. Your immune system will be affected and decreased. You will have difficulty maintaining body temperature. It can affect memory. There are other things but you get the picture.
So what does it look like in a blood test? Glad you asked. RBC can be in range or flagged high. In 2 of the 4 it was flagged high. In all hemoglobin was in range. MCV will be in the low range of normal or flagged low. In each case MCH (mean corpuscular volume) was flagged low. MCHC was flagged low or on the low end of the reference range. In all RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) was high. If your feeling out of sorts and see these markers in a blood test get an iron and ferritin test. If that test shows up flagged or on the very low end of in range it’s time for a Dr’s visit. Here is one blood test and the links to 3 others so you can see what I’m talking about.
This is the bloods of one person. The first at the end of Nov the second in Jan. He was diagnosed by his Dr with Iron Deficiency pre-anemia. He is on iron supplements. All of these guys are on iron meds now.
http://www.eroids.com/sites/default/files/gearpic/40502/1206131900.jpg
http://www.eroids.com/sites/default/files/gearpic/40502/IMG_0089.jpg
This is the bloods of someone who had an iron deficiency due to a medication he was taking. His Dr put him on iron supp’s but when these blood were taken he had stopped taking iron.
http://www.eroids.com/sites/default/files/gearpic/44663/image_23.jpg
Now you know what it looks like. But a word of caution. If you see this in your bloods don’t try and fix it yourself. I know some guys here think that more is better and some knuckle head will just buy some iron and supplement on his own but understand to much iron can kill you quick. When on supplemental iron you need to be monitored by a Dr. It’s very toxic in large amounts. Think I'm kidding then read this : http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/happens-much-iron-supplement-taken-6728....
So what causes it. There are two main causes. You have an increased need. You have an absorption problem or low intake. I’ll hit on each point. Pregnant women, toddlers, babies need more iron because of rapid growth. As lifters we grow quickly to gaining 10-30lbs some even more in a single cycle so our iron needs increase. Blood loss can cause it. When you lose blood you lose iron. That is why women need more iron than men due to the menstrual cycle. As lifters we sometimes donate blood. To fight high hematocrit and RBC numbers. Some do it regularly . But guess what it may affect your iron levels. If you’re a guy who donates on a regular basis you may see blood values change and look similar to the ones posted. To counter just increase your intake of iron rich foods. It can also show up from internal bleeding like an ulcer or intestinal bleeding.
Decreased absorption can be caused from antacids or meds used to treat acid reflux. You can help absorption by eating vitamin C rich foods. Things like tea and coffee will decrease absorption so don’t drink them with a meal wait till much later. Milk and dairy products can also decrease absorption when taken with a meal. Chicken, beef, fish are good sources of iron and will absorb better than plant based iron any way you get the idea. One of the easiest ways to get more iron is to cook in a cast iron skillet. Read the links below and increase your knowledge so you don't end up with low levels. That’s it for now. Keeping eating and keep lifting
As always let me know what you think.
http://www.chron.com/news/health/article/Healthy-choices-can-help-contro...
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/anemia/hic-anemia-and-iron-rich-...
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/anemia/hic_oral_iron_supplementa...
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QtripsOne of those bloods is mine. In December I think it was, I had blood from the doc that showed low iron, ferritin, and TIBC or % saturation. I've been on iron bysglycinate for 6 or more weeks now at 200mg (36mg elemental iron.) On my last set of labs (payed for by me - that I posted up for eliteanabolx for the Test Level), MegaT pointed out the markers he discussed. I had no idea what they were, so I PM'd him. He ended up telling me how they show low iron, etc, and he was spot on. The doc gave me a script for more labs (iron, etc) and I'm getting blood pulled this week. I suspect iron to still be low, due to my recent markers, and cause I still feel like I have low iron. Stuff is spot on.
Thanks for the information but your conclusions are superficial and somewhat oversimplified. For one, your labs show this person is dehydrated which will skew red cell volume and other indices. There is a lot of interplay of many factors which complicate interpretation of labs for a clinical diagnosis, and every test used in assessment of anemia, whether iron deficiency related or not, can be altered by mitigating factors. Most of the proteins involved in transporting heme products can go up or down for multiple reasons from bleeding, infection, inflammatory states, nutrition, or an intrinsic marrow process. Information is good but everyone should leave the scrutiny and action of lab tests like these to their doctor(s).
Obviously you didn't read the whole post if you did you would realize all were under and are under a DR's care. While I agree with some of the the things you stated all were diagnosed with iron deficiency and were placed on iron supplementation by their Dr or Hematologist. The whole reason for the post is most are missing this problem and delaying in seeing a Dr.
angusAlways good stuff and good information with you brother. As you already know my RBC is always on the lowest end of normal even while on EQ, have never understood that but you've given me some new markers to keep an eye out for.
That pic looks like my labs ;)
Again mega is spot on. Pay attention to what he says because it's legit.
A few weeks ago, He pointed this out to me. I them went to the doctor and after a series of labs I have been diagnosed with low iron. My iron was 15 points below normal and my ferritin (body's iron reserve tank basically) was one point above the low end of reference range. I was feeling like shit all around and after almost a week of iron supplement, I feel so much better. I can't tell you how thankful I am for mega looking over my labs and pointing it out. Most comments said my labs were fine. If he dididn't look at them, I would have never had gone to the doctor and would still be feeling like shit.
Interesting research. I have high RBC, hemoglobin, and hemocrit levels due to steroid abuse but I donate blood every 8 weeks to keep things regulated. One thing I do notice is every time I give blood, they prick your finger to test for iron levels and mine are always within range.
Excellent post bro. Eroids needs to put you on the payroll. +2
actually low red bloods is iron deficiency not high maybe you made a mistake....sadly i recently learned that anemia is also a sign of cancer i.e low red bloods cells, low MCV & MCH, low ferritin and iron levels....most ppl wld never connect the two
In each one of these bloods posted alanya a Dr was seen and iron levels and ferittin levels were checked. In each iron was flagged and out of range low and ferritin was either flagged low are in very low end of normal. All were experiencing symptoms. All were put on iron supplementation by their Dr or Hemotologist. All were on steroids. All had either normal rbc or out range and high rbc.
well i have anemia and so does my ex who has cancer and def low red blood count indicates that....but low mcv & mch are indicative of low iron on their own so thats prob where the diagnosis is coming from....high red blood cells indicates something else entirely...i can see why steroids wld cause high red blood cell count
I agree with you but in each one of these RBC was normal or elevated as was hemoglobin. Also RDW was elevated in everyone of them. All I can figure is it's from the steroids. Normal steroid users see a rise in not only RBC but hemoglobin and hematocrit. In this group RBC was normal or elevated. But you did not see a rise or high elevation in hemoglobin or hematocrit. You had mid normal or low normal readings. Yet MCV and MCH were low and flagged. This blood that 's shown on the page was taken in Dec but his levels kept dropping with each blood test but RBC stayed elevated and hemoglobin kept dropping but never went out of range. MCV MCH dropped even further and then MCHC dropped and was flagged low. Thats why I threw this up. It something that is not seen in the bloods of non users that have an iron-deficiency.
sure its almost artificially induced....the high red blood count induced by steroids is covering the anemia....in non users red blood count wld def be low...as wld be mcv & mch and ferritin & iron
It is also classified anemia if hemoglobin or hematocrit are sufficiently low. As you said the steroids are not only elevating red blood count but artificially keeping hemoglobin and or hematocrit from dropping out of range.
i know this is a whole other topic but i was wondering what the connection is between cancer an anemia...what is the science or biology behind it...what is it about cancer that causes anemia?
In simple terms any cancer that affects the blood like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma will affect the body's ability to make red blood cells as will other forms of cancer that affect the bone marrow. Any cancer that causes bleeding and blood loss which is a long list will cause anemia. But the biggest cause in my book is Cemo. These drugs are designed to kill fast dividing cells but end up killing any cell that divides fast including blood cells. It temporarily effects bone marrow and the bodies ablility to make new RBC. Because of this some cancer patients are given blood transfusions.
well he has colon cancer which caused zero blood loss and he was not on chemo yet...what i find interesting is that since there is a link between cancer and anemia, this,prob,should be something that is further investigated, but im sure it wont be because the medical industry likes chemo a LOT
Yes exactly. . But great read!
yes i failed to mention was an informative post
Good read and helpful info. +1 this is what were here for. Been seeing too many bs threads lately. Thanks!
Thanks kgz86. One of the OP asked me to do a write up since some of the guys were telling him nothing was wrong when he posted up his bloods. I told him to go see his Dr and have his iron and ferritin checked. He did and his iron level was low as was his ferritin levels. Dr put him on iron supp's. He had been feeling sluggish and out of breath. Within 3 days he said he felt like a new man. Just wanted to make everyone aware of it.
GearofWarGood post and excellent info. I have to supplement with iron everyday myself due to malabsorption from a surgery. When I don't take my iron supplement I know it. My energy levels go into the dirt with a vengeance. I also
only take an iron supplement containing Vitamin C due to the ascorbic acid from the C, reasons being: A) the prevention of the formation of insoluble and unabsorbable iron compounds and B) the reduction of ferric to ferrous iron, which seems to be a requirement for the uptake of iron into the mucosal cells. So I use Vitron-C exclusively. Works well.
Thanks for sharing your experience GearofWar.Valid points. In the past 2 months I've seen 5 bloods that showed this. When I contacted 3 of the OP's 2 were already under a Dr's care and on iron supp's. The other one I told to see a Dr and he did and was put on iron supp's. The other 2 I just posted a comment on their thread. As lifters our needs of certain things increase. I'm pretty sure there are more guys on here such as yourself who are on iron supplements.