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Suggest Treatment For Iron Deficiency Anemia
a postmenopausal 52 year old woman , 72 kilogram has got iron deficiency anemia ( Hb 10 and Ferritin of 1 ) , she took iron tablets for 6 months and her hemoglobin went up to 14.3 . one GI doctor told me that she should undergo colonoscopy to exclude a malignancy . She has no diabetes , no hypertension , she has Hashimoto's thyroididtis , no any symptoms of change in bowel habits , weight loss or noting blood per rectum . and I want to know what is your opinion , is there a possibility of a malignancy ? and what should be the next step ? Thanks in advance
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 26 Mar 2015
Answered on
Thu, 26 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
A ferritin level is critically low as iron is necessary for so many processes. Iyou cannot get it up by eating high iron foods (red meat, molasses, spinach, fortified cereals) and an iron supplement, she may possibly need an infusion of Venofer. I concur with the Doctor
s recommendation to have a colonoscopy to investigate internal blleding.
Also when you take your iron supplement take it at night without other vitamins, especially calcium or zinc. Combine high iron foods with good sources of vitamin C.
s recommendation to have a colonoscopy to investigate internal blleding.
Also when you take your iron supplement take it at night without other vitamins, especially calcium or zinc. Combine high iron foods with good sources of vitamin C.
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