Low Iron 7 Months after Chemo

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SuperVman
SuperVman Member Posts: 2
edited July 2016 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Let me start out by saying it is my wife who has been the incredibly strong woman batteling through a diagnosis, double mastectomy and chemo treatment. While she continues to be a positive light, I get sick with worry at every unplanned turn in the road - no matter how insignificant. I try to be strong and positive around her but need an outlet to curb my super vigilant worries. So I appreciate any help and hope this comes thru sincere and respectful. I am a type A analytical type and just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to maintain her health.

My wife was 36 when she was diagnosed with a stage 1 triple negative medullary tumor in April of 2015. She was breast feeding at the time so it wasn't until late July that she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction. She began dose dense C&A in September and finished dose dense taxol in January of 2016.

So far scans have been clear and recover has been going well with the slight exception of low WBC.

Just recently (6 months after chemo) blood tests have shown low iron counts (sorry I don't have specifics) and she's been experiencing dizzy spells and light headed-ness. Doctors have prescribed iron supplements.

Has anyone else had this experience? Should we be asking for additional tests?

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited July 2016

    Hi, nice of you to post for your wife. Do you mean she has low Serum Ferritin, or that she has Anemia? Anemia is very common following Chemo. Due to the Chemo effects, many women persist over months to rarely years, with decreased ability to make oxygen carrying Red Blood Cells, as well as White Blood Cells. Iron supplements are only helpful if she is low, or deficient in iron. At a minimum, they should get a Serum Ferrtin, to check her bodily Iron stores. They may be giving her the iron, because they are really not sure with how to deal with ongoing Anemia following Chemo, that hasn't resolved on its own. Recommendations can include Blood Transfusions depending on level of Anemia, or drugs to stimulate Red Blood Cell production like EPO.

    I treated my anemia by seeing a Naturopath who gave me Intravenous Vitamin C therapy, which increased my RBC levels as well as boosting my WBC levels to normal. IV Vitamin C also produces Hydrogen Peroxide in the bloodstream, which is cytotoxic to cancer cells. Nice thing about Vitamin C is that it is not toxic not possible to overdoseon this water soluble nutrient withnirmal bowel and kidney function.

    http://www.oncolink.org/resources/article.cfm?id=1009

    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/202333-workup

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4715092/

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  • SuperVman
    SuperVman Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2016

    Hi Mac. Thank you for the reply.

    Low iron saturation 9% (normal is 15-55)

    Low serum ferritin 7 ng/mL (normal is 15-150)

    Her last onco follow up her RBC was on the verylow side of the range but not flagged

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited July 2016

    Then I would say another option is IV Iron to help bring her up faster. At the very least she should increase her Vitamin C intake orally. They often recommend taking Iron with Vitamin C rich juices. Here is an oldie but goodie study explaining the connections.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6940487

    Hope this helps

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  • TripleP
    TripleP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2016

    Bariatric surgeons have a very good knowledge about how vitamins and minerals work with the body. Iron is best absorbed with vitamin C. Bariatric Advantage is a company that makes high quality products for those who have had bariatric surgery and run risks of not in taking enough nutrients. They make a very good chewable iron and vitamin C supplement. Important to know, however, iron and calcium should not be taken at the same time. Calcium will not be absorbed. So if your wife is on calcium supplements, they should be taken at least 2 hours apart.

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  • TripleP
    TripleP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2016

    Bariatric surgeons have a very good knowledge about how vitamins and minerals work with the body. Iron is best absorbed with vitamin C. Bariatric Advantage is a company that makes high quality products for those who have had bariatric surgery and run risks of not in taking enough nutrients. They make a very good chewable iron and vitamin C supplement. Important to know, however, iron and calcium should not be taken at the same time. Calcium will not be absorbed. So if your wife is on calcium supplements, they should be taken at least 2 hours apart.

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