Borderline anemic?

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

My last few blood draws have shown that my blood cells are mishapen from lack of iron and have shown other symptoms of low iron. The wierd thing is I have a high daily intake of red meat! Is there a correlation between aas use and iron deficiency? Has anyone experienced this? Also I have never had a problem with iron deficiency before only in the last 8-9 months!

 

[MadBret]

Anemia and low iron can be signs of bleeding. Have you been shitting blood or do you think you have internal bleeding? Dark colored stools?

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

Anemia and low iron can be signs of bleeding. Have you been shitting blood or do you think you have internal bleeding? Dark colored stools?

Hmmm I will have to check im not sure..i mean not anything obvious anyways

 

[eery]

I found out i was anemic earlier this year as well, i have no idea why, my iron intake isnt low. I do eat a lot of dairy though that could be chelating the iron i take in. I havent had bloods to check yet, i got on supplemental iron for two months after i found out but havent gotten to the doc to do bloods again.

 

[malfeasance]

Do you donate blood?

 

[malfeasance]

Is your red blood cell count low, too? What is your hemoglobin and hematocrit?

 

[Gcrawford]

Well, from a medical standpoint I will tell you that whenever you take a anabolic steroid such as testosterone or testosterone like hormone, it will increase the amount of red blood cells you are producing, which could theoretically cause an iron deficiency if the body isn’t properly metabolizing and recycling it in the liver. There are a few different types of labs that can help your doctor determine the root cause of it. Serum ferritin and serum iron are good places to start. Also it is important to know that iron is only one part of a RBC. Patients who exhibit iron deficiency anemia are prescribed a diet rich in B6,B9, and B12 along with vitamin A and copper along with vitamin C and low dose iron supplementation. For you this would be the starting point for interventions, along with a low dose free while monitoring liver enzymes. It could be something as simple as diet and stopping your cycle to achieve. If that doesn’t fix it then further labs and investigation would need to be done.

 

[Gcrawford]

For blood in stools it’s not always detectable, ask primary care doctor for a fecal occult test to check if you have bleeding at some point in the gi tract. Also to malfeasance he probably has his H&H labs within the lower end of normal, otherwise they would have let him know instead of telling him his cells are misshapen due to lack of iron, just my opinion, I could be wrong and he has a very shitty doctor lol

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

Do you donate blood?

I do not donate blood as I have never had a problem with my blood getting "too thick". I do not have my labs. I have to get em on my next apt

 

[RunTrenFcukTens]

Bumping this because I recently got blood work back that showed low iron and ferritin, but upper normal range RBC and Hemoglobin. It makes sense what @Gcrawford said, as testosterone causes erythrocytosis. I’m wondering if supplementing with copper/iron/b12 would be beneficial. I have noticed I am a bit more fatigued and seem to be shedding more hair lately, but with normal hemoglobin I would be iron deficient non anemic.

 

[RunTrenFcukTens]

@Harley00 any thoughts on blood work with normal hemoglobin, but low iron and ferritin?

What about experience with a PPI like omeprazole inhibiting mineral and vitamin absorption. I am getting cramps like crazy ever since starting omeprazole and I swears it’s screwing up my electrolyte balance.

 

[Harley00]

@Harley00 any thoughts on blood work with normal hemoglobin, but low iron and ferritin?

What about experience with a PPI like omeprazole inhibiting mineral and vitamin absorption. I am getting cramps like crazy ever since starting omeprazole and I swears it’s screwing up my electrolyte balance.

Do you have lab work u wanna share or share privately?
Hairloss can be low iron etc but also thyroid issues, can lead to all of that.
Lots of supplements can do it like turmeric pr berbine etc as an example.

 

[Alistair7]

Bumping this thread because I’m having issues with low ferritin (19) with normal iron and RBC on the high end of normal. Hemoglobin and hematocrit high end of normal. Doc was very concerned. I had a colonoscopy and it was all good. He thinks I may have absorption issues in my gut. Wanted me to take Protonix which ironically can reduce iron absorption so I said hell no. I’ve red that TRT caused polycythaemia can cause low ferritin because the too high red blood cells are absorbing most of the bodies ferritin. I don’t know if this doctor knows what she is talking about or if she is a quack. Here is what she said:
“Testosterone supplementation causes lower ferritin levels because the stored iron is pulled out into the (too many) red blood cells.”
So to get my ferritin levels to rise, I should donate blood to get the RBC down and hope ferritin levels increase?
Here is the whole article:

MEN: Pitfalls of Testosterone Prescription by the Casual “Health Care Provider” - Enhancement of Life Center San Antonio

One of the known side effects of testosterone supplementation in men is an increase in Red Blood Cells. In ancient times, when men might engage in hand to hand combat, a high testosterone man with increased red blood cells meant survival, while his lower testosterone neighbor might die in battle...

antiagingsa.com

 

[Rido]

Bumping this thread because I’m having issues with low ferritin (19) with normal iron and RBC on the high end of normal. Hemoglobin and hematocrit high end of normal. Doc was very concerned. I had a colonoscopy and it was all good. He thinks I may have absorption issues in my gut. Wanted me to take Protonix which ironically can reduce iron absorption so I said hell no. I’ve red that TRT caused polycythaemia can cause low ferritin because the too high red blood cells are absorbing most of the bodies ferritin. I don’t know if this doctor knows what she is talking about or if she is a quack. Here is what she said:
“Testosterone supplementation causes lower ferritin levels because the stored iron is pulled out into the (too many) red blood cells.”
So to get my ferritin levels to rise, I should donate blood to get the RBC down and hope ferritin levels increase?
Here is the whole article:

MEN: Pitfalls of Testosterone Prescription by the Casual “Health Care Provider” - Enhancement of Life Center San Antonio

One of the known side effects of testosterone supplementation in men is an increase in Red Blood Cells. In ancient times, when men might engage in hand to hand combat, a high testosterone man with increased red blood cells meant survival, while his lower testosterone neighbor might die in battle...

antiagingsa.com

Testosterone is increasing erythropoietin levels in the body.

Erythropoietin is stimulating the bone marrow to make more RBC.

Ferritin is a part of the fuel to keep making more RBC.

Your ferritin gets low because it is being used up.

People who lose blood also lose ferritin. Your doctor ordered a colonoscopy to make sure there is no bleed.

Also a way to get rid of ferritin for people with super high levels is blood donation/letting

The other micronutrients you mentioned have nothing to do with ferritin.

 

[Alistair7]

Testosterone is increasing erythropoietin levels in the body.

Erythropoietin is stimulating the bone marrow to make more RBC.

Ferritin is a part of the fuel to keep making more RBC.

Your ferritin gets low because it is being used up.

People who lose blood also lose ferritin. Your doctor ordered a colonoscopy to make sure there is no bleed.

Also a way to get rid of ferritin for people with super high levels is blood donation/letting

The other micronutrients you mentioned have nothing to do with ferritin.

Testosterone is increasing erythropoietin levels in the body.

Erythropoietin is stimulating the bone marrow to make more RBC.

Ferritin is a part of the fuel to keep making more RBC.

Your ferritin gets low because it is being used up.

People who lose blood also lose ferritin. Your doctor ordered a colonoscopy to make sure there is no bleed.

Also a way to get rid of ferritin for people with super high levels is blood donation/letting

The other micronutrients you mentioned have nothing to do with ferritin.

Thanks for the informed reply. I’m just now seeing it for some reason. Have you had this issue? Do you know how I can increase my ferritin levels? I have spent the last 6 months eating 2/3 pounds of red meat almost everyday. Getting bloods again soon.

 

[NorthMich]

I’m in the same boat. Low Ferritin, high end of normal on the other RBC levels. Erythropoietin is high

I’ve stopped blood donation
I’m taking a low dose iron supplement and C

I take Omeprazole maybe every 3rd day

 

[malfeasance]

High RBC low ferritin, this seems like something that should be explored more here on the board.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I’m in the same boat. Low Ferritin, high end of normal on the other RBC levels. Erythropoietin is high

I’ve stopped blood donation
I’m taking a low dose iron supplement and C

I take Omeprazole maybe every 3rd day

You had epo levels checked? That's a surprise.

What is your goal?

 

[NorthMich]

Yes. Because of the low ferritin

No goal, except to lower

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yes. Because of the low ferritin

No goal, except to lower

so you want to lower your epo levels or lower your RBC?

what anabolics are you on?