Iron infusion,calcium supplement

swmmom

Iron infusion,calcium supplement

swmmom

Routine blood work showed that my ferritin levels were low,10. My gastro doctor did colonoscopy, endoscopy and small bowel series. they were all normal. My hgb is at 12.5, so I am clearly not anemic, but the gastro doc wants me to have iron infusions. he scheduled me for May 12. The dose will be 1gm, which I believe is pretty high. I read somewhere that iron supplements were not good for cancer patients as it can sitimulate the new growth of blood wessels. I am hesitant to get the infusion. Has anyone here on the board had iron infusions? I might also add that I finished chemo in July 07 and radiation in September 07.  I am thinking chemo could have depleted my  iron stores, but the gastro doctor says this is unlikely and with such low ferritin levels I should get the infusion.  I am really  stressing over this and I am tempted to cancel the infusion apt. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ladies.

On a side note, does anyone have any recommendations where I can find all natural calcium citracel with no additional crap in it?

rubytuesday

I would also be afraid of the iron infusions.  From what I have read, iron can fuel cancer.  Best wishes!

amberyba

I agree, I've read the same about iron feeding cancer...you could tell the doc. you'd like to wait and have the ferritin checked in a few months...and check with your med onc...to see if he has any clues.

Also, Are you feeling well? your hemoblobin is good! Maybe the result is not accurate.

God Bless

swmmom

My GI doc repeated my ferritin levels, it was still low at 10. He  scheduled me for iron infusions for May 12. I just didn't feel comfortable with the whole idea of receiving high dose (1gm) iron infusion,so I left a message with my oncologist and told him my concerns and asked him for his opinion. He consulted with a hematologist and they both agreed that given my BC history, iron infusions would not be good for me. From what I understand, iron can sitimulate the growth of new blood vessels and might not be good for cancer patients.  I cancelled the infusion apt and I feel good about my decision.  

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trigeek

OK NOW I AM REALLY REALLY PISSED !!!!@#%!!!

When I first got diagnosed I had low something levels and my dear - ex oncologist got me into getting an iron infusion saying that I should not be going into chemo with low iron stores WTF !!! now I am soo glad that I ditched her.. She did it even before I had surgery !!

FloridaLady

I didn't know...but I will pass this info on to everyone I talk too.  Trigeek you have the right to be pissed.

Flalady

rferraris

I just finished iron infusions with my oncologist.  My hemoglobin level dropped down to 8.6 and I had no protein in my system.  She said that I had the blood work of a starving Ethopian child.  All of this started back in January after I had a bilateral tram in December.  I went weekly for 6 wks for my iron infusion.  The first one took a long time because the risk of an allergic reaction is very high so they drip it very slow and only give you a little to begin with.  I finished chemo in 11/06 and radiation in 1/07.  When I finished my iron infusion my hemoglobin was only 10.6 and two weeks ago it had only dropped to 10.4 in a month.

We always have to remember that cancer doesn't play by the rules so there are no "rules" for treatment.