[Electron]

Has anyone heard of PN associated with iron-deficiency anemia? The only connection I can find is a study done on anemic children. I was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia several years ago. Even before that, when I donated blood, they sometimes had to test my blood twice because the iron was borderline. On my most recent routine blood test, they found borderline low white count and borderline low hematocrit. I have been referred to a hematologist. Any comments?
Thanks
Electron

[glenntaj]

--papers or any other evidence that iron-deficiency anemia causes neuropathy.

But there are numerous blood conditions associated with both iron-deficiency anemia and neuropathy, from vascular autoimmune conditions to blood cancers such as multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobumeria. In these cases both the neuropathy and the iron deficiecny are secndary to other mechanisms of the syndrome. So a thorough hematological work-up is a good idea.

[Marlene]

I would suggest you ask them to also check your B12, B6, folate, zinc and copper to rule out any other major nutritional deficiency that can effect blood production. If you are low on iron, there's a good possibility you may have other nutritional imbalances.

Believe it or not, they don't always check for the simple things first.

A low hematocrit is not unusual when you have a low hemoglobin/red cell count. The hematocrit is a calculated measure of the volume of red cells vs plasma in your blood sample. So if your low on red cells, your hematocrit will be off also. Also, dehydration or even over hydration can effect that reading.

When monitoring your blood counts, it's good keep track and watch for trends versus just a single reading. White cells can and will fluctuate quite a bit since they have a shorter life span.

[mrsD]

The most common cause of low iron status in males, is poor acid content of the stomach. Chronic use of acid blocking drugs, or a tendency for achlorhydria (which runs in families) will lower absorption of iron because iron needs acid for absorption. I've seen some men in their 30's already showing up low in iron. This is becoming more common because of the overuse of Prilosec and Zantac type drugs.

After that is evaluated, then losing red cells thru the urine or GI tract comes next in frequency.

Then as Glenn pointed out, the more obscure things start lining up. One cause that is often overlooked is a parasitical disease that causes hemolytic anemias.
example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babesiosis
But usually there is fever associated with infections.

[nide44]

Wasn't 'Geritol' advertised for this condition.... way, back,....when?

[mrsD]

LOL... yes, I remember Geritol! That was in the good ole days, before we knew that excess Iron, especially for men, is harmful now. But as I recall Geritol was mostly targeted towards women.

Postmenopausal women are in the same category now as men.
Do not use iron, unless your doctor instructs you too.
Iron overload is thought to damage organs including the heart.

[Electron]

Thank you all for the replies. I will ask the hematologist about some of these things. Hemoglobin was normal on this test, probably because I am supplementing iron. I'm sure they tested for folate, and I am supplementing B12, zinc, copper in my battery of supplements. Overhydration is possible. MrsD, the low iron did start in my 30's, I'm 41 now. I don't use any acid blocking drugs, just a very occassional generic Tums. My Dr has not mentioned possible poor acid content of the stomach. I had an upper-endoscopy and colonoscopy to look for bleeding.
Electron

[mrsD]

Men typically have higher numbers of red blood cells than females. So when low test results occur, then doctors become concerned.

The hormone the governs red cell formation is made by the kidney...so it is pretty complicated.

It is probably some lifestyle thing you are doing. Or it may be a fluke...some tests can be faulty you know. Don't overdo the zinc as that lowers copper, and low copper leads to anemia.
But it takes pretty high zinc levels to do that. Normal supplements don't have a dramatic effect on copper.

[Electron]

Right now I am taking 15 mg zinc (as zinc chelate) and 1.5 mg copper (as copper chelate) in a multivitamin from Dr. Weil.

[mrsD]

That is not alot. I don't think your supplement is the cause.

Males have a higher need for zinc than females because of reproductive burdens. Zinc is lost in the seminal fluid regularly.
I've heard estimates of 5mg per ejaculate.