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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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My 87 Year Old Brother Is Anemic. He Is An

My 87 year old brother is anemic. He is an asthmatic with COPD and has a pacemaker. 4 moths ago he had 12 teeth extracted and had full lower dentures made. He did not wear them, as they were uncomfortable. Altered his died to soft foods such as frozen fish dishes. As anemia progressed, search was on for what is "causing blood loss". Ruled out blood in urine and had negative fecal stool sample. Gastro guy still wanted to do colonoscopy - so far, declined. I ventured the layman's suggestion that perhaps it is not blood loss but non-production of red blood cells due to diet and that diminished rbcs would also account for breathing difficulty, as rbcs account for oxygen-rich blood..... and maybe he better improve his diet to build blood. Cardio guy, replacing battery in pacemaker said he would rev up the beat and that would make him feel better. I said, "If your gas tank is on Empty, floor-boarding the accelerator isn't gong to make you go."
I am 89 and in the springtime of my senility - and looking for validation of my theories.
*Takes Coumadin, which prohibits leafy greens in diet - ironically they are iron rich.
posted on Sun, 30 Oct 2016
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