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What Causes Anemia And Lethargic Feeling In 85 Year Old?
Hi, my mum is 85 and feeling very lethargic. She was anaemic earlier this year just before going in for a bladder repair and suffered a heart attack on day one post op. She was found to have atrial fibrillation and was commenced on Warfarin. In July last year she had a cardiac stent and was also commenced on Clopidogrel....plus a few other meds. She s also had a history of low sodium. Now in the heat she feels like she s going to pass out. She s on a couple of antihypertensives, Karvea and Metoprolol and Amlodipine. She also needs a hip replacement and is in a lot of pain and is on Targin and Panadol Osteo TDS and has been on the latter for a couple of years. Do you think it s likely to be the analgesia making her anaemic or the ?low sodium making her feel unwell? Her last blood tests were fine a few months ago.
Fri, 8 May 2015
Anemia at her advanced age may be due several reasons:
1) An important cause in her case can be Medications. She is taking analgesics and anticoagulants which may predispose her to a bleeding peptic ulcer disease. Consult your doctor as she might require Medication re evaluation.
2) Another important cause considering her advance age which needs to be ruled out is Carcinoma Colon. I suggest you consult a Gastroenterologist and get herself worked up for it. He may suggest tests like FOBT or Colonoscopy.
3) Finally the good old cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia may be there. She should have a CBC with PS and Serum Iron Studies to be evaluated for it. I suggest you get in touch with a Physician.
Her lethargy may be attributed to the Anemia. Low Sodium may also cause it but you havent specified low low is the sodium. Another cause of lethargy which needs evaluation is Hypothyroidism. Get her checked for that too.
Regards
Dr Manish Kumar Jha
1) An important cause in her case can be Medications. She is taking analgesics and anticoagulants which may predispose her to a bleeding peptic ulcer disease. Consult your doctor as she might require Medication re evaluation.
2) Another important cause considering her advance age which needs to be ruled out is Carcinoma Colon. I suggest you consult a Gastroenterologist and get herself worked up for it. He may suggest tests like FOBT or Colonoscopy.
3) Finally the good old cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia may be there. She should have a CBC with PS and Serum Iron Studies to be evaluated for it. I suggest you get in touch with a Physician.
Her lethargy may be attributed to the Anemia. Low Sodium may also cause it but you havent specified low low is the sodium. Another cause of lethargy which needs evaluation is Hypothyroidism. Get her checked for that too.
Regards
Dr Manish Kumar Jha
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