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Suggest Treatment For Iron Deficiency While Having Gallbladder Dysfunction
Question: Can having a bad, non-functioning gallbladder cause your ferritin and iron levels to be low? Ferritin is a 3. I am weak, faint, dizzy, breathless, fast heartbeat sometimes, low BP.
(And to have vitamin deficiencies)
Could digestion and gallbladder be affecting iron levels?
(My d-dimer testing came back ELEVATED too!) :( However, my chest angiogram came back fine. No clots in lungs, etc.
Also, my primary Dr says she cant help me with this because its out of her knowledge.
So what type of Dr do you think I should go see and could help me and treat me for this?
Thank you SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! :))) XXXXXXX
(And to have vitamin deficiencies)
Could digestion and gallbladder be affecting iron levels?
(My d-dimer testing came back ELEVATED too!) :( However, my chest angiogram came back fine. No clots in lungs, etc.
Also, my primary Dr says she cant help me with this because its out of her knowledge.
So what type of Dr do you think I should go see and could help me and treat me for this?
Thank you SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! :))) XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
Problems with the gallbladder or some type of gallbladder dysfunction would not generally cause a decrease in the ferritin level. A low ferritin level suggests iron deficiency.The most common cause of low ferritin would be some type of blood loss which can occur from menstrual bleeding or possibly from gastrointestinal bleeding.
if you're not having heavy menstrual bleeding which would explain low iron levels then it might be reasonable to visit with a gastroenterologist who might consider doing an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy to evaluate for possible sources of blood loss.
at the same time it might be reasonable also to consider supplementing with an oral iron tablet to see if this helps gradually improve your ferritin level. It may also help improve some of the symptoms you have been experiencing.
I am sorry that you are experiencing these symptoms. I am hopeful that things will improve gradually over time. I would suggest you talk to your doctor about supplementing with oral iron in the form of a tablet which can be obtained over-the-counter at the pharmacy. lastly I would consider visiting with a gastroenterologist to see if they may have any other suggestions in addition to possibly consider the upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. they may have some further insight as well into the gallbladder dysfunction.
thank you again for sending the question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
Problems with the gallbladder or some type of gallbladder dysfunction would not generally cause a decrease in the ferritin level. A low ferritin level suggests iron deficiency.The most common cause of low ferritin would be some type of blood loss which can occur from menstrual bleeding or possibly from gastrointestinal bleeding.
if you're not having heavy menstrual bleeding which would explain low iron levels then it might be reasonable to visit with a gastroenterologist who might consider doing an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy to evaluate for possible sources of blood loss.
at the same time it might be reasonable also to consider supplementing with an oral iron tablet to see if this helps gradually improve your ferritin level. It may also help improve some of the symptoms you have been experiencing.
I am sorry that you are experiencing these symptoms. I am hopeful that things will improve gradually over time. I would suggest you talk to your doctor about supplementing with oral iron in the form of a tablet which can be obtained over-the-counter at the pharmacy. lastly I would consider visiting with a gastroenterologist to see if they may have any other suggestions in addition to possibly consider the upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. they may have some further insight as well into the gallbladder dysfunction.
thank you again for sending the question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
I have been having heavier menstral bleeding and prolonged periods/bleeding inbetween periods also. Would you happen to know what would be the correct amount or dosage of iron I should take?
Like how much and how often? I cant get any definite answers on this from my primary Dr or Ob/gyn. They just say "take iron". :(((
How am i supposed to know HOW MUCH and how often?? Cause I dont know. Ive been completely neglected on this. No one will help me with this or help treat me. They KNOW and can see I have low iron.... But neither of my Dr's will take it SERIOUSLY for me and HELP me!! They keep putting the responsibility on the other Dr's shoulders and I keep going back and forth and back and forth and neither one knows what to do or will help me. Its sooooo frustrating!! :((
This has been going on since Nov 2015!! And neither one of them have treated me for my low iron/ferritin yet!!! So i just sit here and suffer and dont know which way to turn. Sorry for venting!!!
But do YOU know what I should be taking?? And dosage??
Like how much and how often? I cant get any definite answers on this from my primary Dr or Ob/gyn. They just say "take iron". :(((
How am i supposed to know HOW MUCH and how often?? Cause I dont know. Ive been completely neglected on this. No one will help me with this or help treat me. They KNOW and can see I have low iron.... But neither of my Dr's will take it SERIOUSLY for me and HELP me!! They keep putting the responsibility on the other Dr's shoulders and I keep going back and forth and back and forth and neither one knows what to do or will help me. Its sooooo frustrating!! :((
This has been going on since Nov 2015!! And neither one of them have treated me for my low iron/ferritin yet!!! So i just sit here and suffer and dont know which way to turn. Sorry for venting!!!
But do YOU know what I should be taking?? And dosage??
Brief Answer:
Considerations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I am not able to provide direct instructions regarding dosing of the iron for you as this does need to come from your physician but I can tell you a typical oral region would be a 324 mg tablet of iron sulfate. this tablet is taken from once to three times per day.
For you, you might consider taking one tablet a day to start along with a glass of orange juice which helps absorption of the iron. We always recommend you discuss taking supplements with your primary physician.
Thank you again,
Dr Galamaga.
Considerations.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I am not able to provide direct instructions regarding dosing of the iron for you as this does need to come from your physician but I can tell you a typical oral region would be a 324 mg tablet of iron sulfate. this tablet is taken from once to three times per day.
For you, you might consider taking one tablet a day to start along with a glass of orange juice which helps absorption of the iron. We always recommend you discuss taking supplements with your primary physician.
Thank you again,
Dr Galamaga.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank u. I will follow up with a gastroenterologist. Hopefully they can help me to get to feeling better. :)) (and digesting food so I wont have vitamin deficiencies and low iron.)
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome.
Wishing you the very best and continued good health.
Dr Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome.
Wishing you the very best and continued good health.
Dr Galamaga
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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