Question 1

i've developed high red blood cells (5.18) high hematocrit (45) & high rdw (16.4). could this be related to taking iron? i had ulcerative colitis and bled for 3 months. iron & ferritin now low normal, but uibc high (381), saturation low (14).

Accepted Answer

Yes: Your iron study so far signifies improving and/or recovery of iron storage, but not there yet. Your RDW says that you are cranking out my blood cells, thus making it looks like having more varieties of RBC sizes (old and new ones). Your hematocrit is a concentration measure, so if you are dehydrated, it could increase.

Question 2

i am a 38 year old woman with ulcerative colitis and anemia. my hemoglobin is 7.9? would iron infusions be effective?

Accepted Answer

Yes....if: If you have iron deficiency anemia it should be effective if you have B12 deficiency anemia(pernicious anemia) it wont be.

Question 3

i have ulcerative colitis for 5 yrs, iron deficient: 16, bc pill: diane 35 for 5 yrs and the past 2 months have lost 60% of my hair. causes for loss?

Accepted Answer

Hair loss: It may may be a hormone deficiency. I would let a doctor do some lab studies to give you a correct diagnosis

Question 4

could the loose, black stool with ulcerative colitis be from the iron pills?

Accepted Answer

Yes, or blood: Iron can turn the stools dark- but so can blood. You can pick up a test from your doctor to see if there is blood in them - please do that.

Question 5

i have ulcerative colitis. is it safe for me to take 25mg iron 3 times/week to remedy anemia? i've heard it could worsen my uc & raise my cancer risk.

Accepted Answer

Yes & No: It is safe and effective specially if you are significantly anemic. However it may be necessary to give IV iron in some cases.

Question 6

had blood test checking crp, esr, iron levels, cbc all cam back negative. i'd likely to be crohn's or ulcerative colitis ? how active id blood test ?

Accepted Answer

Your tests do not: suggest that any inflammation or anemia is going on. So , finding is against IBD. You may need further testing with colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or barium enema.

Question 7

how could colitis be making me have low blood counts?

Accepted Answer

Blood loss: Continued active colitis will cause constant blood loss, even though not visible, which replacement by your blood marrow may not be able to compensate for.

Question 8

i'm on steriods for colitis and i started on 8 and down to 7 and 6, today i was feeling low and took 9 is this bad that i took more than i should???

Accepted Answer

Medication: Don't recommend taking your steroids any differently than prescribed. If you believe you should alter your dose - it should be discussed with your prescribing physician first.

Question 9

low ferritin levels with colitis. colitis is fine at the moment and no blood but i can't seem to increase my ferritin. this is level 9. taking galfer 10ml a day. i eat good veg and fruit. what else can i do to help increase my levels?

Accepted Answer

: Iron is sometimes difficult to absorb, especially when there is inflammation present. To help the iron get absorbed, take it with 500mg of Vitamin C-this creates the acidic environment needed for iron absorption. If your iron studies remain low after trying the Vitamin C, you may need to get a dose of IV iron-your doctor can arrange that if it proves necessary. Best of luck to you!

Question 10

i go to my gi in a few weeks but im curious. i have axspa & have had diarrhea for a few months. had upper, lower & capsule endo in 2019 bc low ferritin of 5. no prob except erosive gastritis. could you develop chrons/ulcerative colitis in that time?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, you could have IBD at anytime after the previous GI workup.
People with Axspa is at risk for IBD. Most people with IBD develop before 30 years of age but this disease can occur late in 40, 5 as well.
However, diarrhea without other associated symptoms is not typical for IBD. Likely, you will need to have colonoscopy again to rule out IBD.

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Doctor answers about:

Low iron colitis

A member asked:

I've developed high red blood cells (5.18) high hematocrit (45) & high rdw (16.4). could this be related to taking iron? i had ulcerative colitis and bled for 3 months. iron & ferritin now low normal, but uibc high (381), saturation low (14).

A member asked:

I am a 38 year old woman with ulcerative colitis and anemia. my hemoglobin is 7.9? would iron infusions be effective?

A member asked:

I have ulcerative colitis for 5 yrs, iron deficient: 16, bc pill: diane 35 for 5 yrs and the past 2 months have lost 60% of my hair. causes for loss?

A member asked:

Could the loose, black stool with ulcerative colitis be from the iron pills?

A member asked:

I have ulcerative colitis. is it safe for me to take 25mg iron 3 times/week to remedy anemia? i've heard it could worsen my uc & raise my cancer risk.

A member asked:

Had blood test checking crp, esr, iron levels, cbc all cam back negative. i'd likely to be crohn's or ulcerative colitis ? how active id blood test ?

A member asked:

How could colitis be making me have low blood counts?

A member asked:

I'm on steriods for colitis and i started on 8 and down to 7 and 6, today i was feeling low and took 9 is this bad that i took more than i should???

A member asked:

Low ferritin levels with colitis. colitis is fine at the moment and no blood but i can't seem to increase my ferritin. this is level 9. taking galfer 10ml a day. i eat good veg and fruit. what else can i do to help increase my levels?

A member asked:

I go to my gi in a few weeks but im curious. i have axspa & have had diarrhea for a few months. had upper, lower & capsule endo in 2019 bc low ferritin of 5. no prob except erosive gastritis. could you develop chrons/ulcerative colitis in that time?

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