Anemia Support Group
Anemia (or anaemia), which literally means "without blood," is a deficiency of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin. This results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, and this causes hypoxia; since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences.
I'm a guy suffering from stage 3 HIdradenitis Suppurativa (HS), an autoimmune disease that results in chronic inflammation on the skin, typically in the groin and armpits. I've been dealing with this for around 10 years now and in addition to regular painful flare-ups I experience constant 24/7 draining from 2-3 sites for several years now. My principle treatment is weekly Humara shots with modest results.
Enough with the background and onto my question. I have also been suffering from chronic anemia for several years and wondered if this is a result of the inflammation caused by the HS. My iron levels are normal and I'm not losing blood from anywhere. So, unless this is just a genetic anemia condition I can't think of any other cause apart from the chronic inflammation.
After checking iron levels and ruling out blood loss my doctors don't appear to be that motivated to investigate the cause. I am currently pushing my family doctor for a referral to a haematologist, despite have a history of blood test results showing low hemoglobin, he wanted to run 'one more' blood test before considering a referral.
Does anyone have any insights?
Enough with the background and onto my question. I have also been suffering from chronic anemia for several years and wondered if this is a result of the inflammation caused by the HS. My iron levels are normal and I'm not losing blood from anywhere. So, unless this is just a genetic anemia condition I can't think of any other cause apart from the chronic inflammation.
After checking iron levels and ruling out blood loss my doctors don't appear to be that motivated to investigate the cause. I am currently pushing my family doctor for a referral to a haematologist, despite have a history of blood test results showing low hemoglobin, he wanted to run 'one more' blood test before considering a referral.
Does anyone have any insights?
Just a simple blood test to confirm.
Hope you get answers.
I really appreciate your advice, thank you.
Any questions feel free to reach out.
RBC 4.4, Hematocrit 0.39, Hemoglobulin A 0.972, Hemaglobulin A2 =0.028, Hemaglobulin F 0.000, HAPTOGLOBULIN = 2.38, IGF-1 low, taking thyroid medicine 25mcg, Metformin 500x4 tab daily, hypertension Candesarten 8 mg daily one. Headache, weak and tired, legas and arms are weak, Lymph Nodes neck swellon- right is 23x8mm. and left 30x9mm, shows few prominent lymph nodes-neck is stiff and pain full, confused. red spots appears on body and goes.
That is possibly why your docs are not taking it seriously, BUT it wouldn't be a good enough reason for me. Keep at them until they answer your questions satisfactorily--as in you need to understand what kind of anemia you have and why. Then keep at them until you KNOW that all your iron numbers are as good as they can possibly be. Good luck.