Low Haemoglobin levels

[runner]

I'm 64, and a 40 year T1 diabetic. In 2010 I suffered some heart problems which were subsequently resolved after which I lost some weight and took up endurance running in 2011. I have now completed over 25 half marathons and 2 full marathons but in 2015 I noticed a distinct drop in performance and endurance and was subsequently diagnosed with low levels of haemoglobin. I have had a number of blood tests since September 2015 which have shown that my haemoglobin levels have not shown any increase even though I have increased the levels of iron foods significantly (although my diet wasn't previously low iron content) to the extent that if I ate any more I would rust!

My GP has not done anything other than repeat the blood tests. I am not taking any prescribed iron supplements and have been unable to get an appointment with my diabetic consultant to discuss the problem even though my GP has also contacted the consultant as she thinks the symptoms may well be related to my diabetes.

I am worried that the low levels of haemoglobin may be related to early stage kidney disease and wonder if anyone out there has experienced similar issues and with what results? Did you have further tests carried out to establish what was causing the low haemoglobin levels and if so what were they and what were the results?

Edited as no need to duplicate post elsewhere.

 

[ipswichandy]

Hi. First sorry to hear about your problem.im type 1 and have been for 40 years. I am very close to kidney failure. Gfr20% just recently dropped to 12%

I have had low hemoglobin for several years and been taking 600mg iron. A few months ago the hba1c machines at hospital refused my sample because hemoglobin to low.

My Nephrologist recommended vitamin c to aid iron absorbtion. I took 400mg. Initially it helped.

Then things got worse while on holiday. I could barely walk. Even standing was a struggle. I was 100 miles away from nearest renal dept so decided I wait till I got home.

A bit of research showed coq10 and vitamin b complex can help with tiredness. A trial of coq10 showed 12 weeks of60mg 3 times a day could reverse kidney failure a bit. In fact several patients on dialysis came off!

My blood was tested by gp. Next day the nurse knocked on my door saying I had to attend hospital immediately. I was emergency admitted with suspected renal failure. My bloods were dangerous ly low but the dr said I showed no other symptoms of kidney failure. I was about 8 weeks into the 12 week coq10 tablets.

14 weeks later I feel the best ive felt in ages. All weakness gone. Going to gp next week for bloods. I had them done when I was bad so it will be interesting to see what they are now.

Im not medically qualified. I have spoken with gp and national kidney assoc. They could offer no advice, they said speak to nephrologist. I have an appointment next month and will be interested to see what he thinks.

Andy

 

[runner]

Hi. First sorry to hear about your problem.im type 1 and have been for 40 years. I am very close to kidney failure. Gfr20% just recently dropped to 12%

I have had low hemoglobin for several years and been taking 600mg iron. A few months ago the hba1c machines at hospital refused my sample because hemoglobin to low.

My Nephrologist recommended vitamin c to aid iron absorbtion. I took 400mg. Initially it helped.

Then things got worse while on holiday. I could barely walk. Even standing was a struggle. I was 100 miles away from nearest renal dept so decided I wait till I got home.

A bit of research showed coq10 and vitamin b complex can help with tiredness. A trial of coq10 showed 12 weeks of60mg 3 times a day could reverse kidney failure a bit. In fact several patients on dialysis came off!

My blood was tested by gp. Next day the nurse knocked on my door saying I had to attend hospital immediately. I was emergency admitted with suspected renal failure. My bloods were dangerous ly low but the dr said I showed no other symptoms of kidney failure. I was about 8 weeks into the 12 week coq10 tablets.

14 weeks later I feel the best ive felt in ages. All weakness gone. Going to gp next week for bloods. I had them done when I was bad so it will be interesting to see what they are now.

Im not medically qualified. I have spoken with gp and national kidney assoc. They could offer no advice, they said speak to nephrologist. I have an appointment next month and will be interested to see what he thinks.

Andy

Hi. First sorry to hear about your problem.im type 1 and have been for 40 years. I am very close to kidney failure. Gfr20% just recently dropped to 12%

I have had low hemoglobin for several years and been taking 600mg iron. A few months ago the hba1c machines at hospital refused my sample because hemoglobin to low.

My Nephrologist recommended vitamin c to aid iron absorbtion. I took 400mg. Initially it helped.

Then things got worse while on holiday. I could barely walk. Even standing was a struggle. I was 100 miles away from nearest renal dept so decided I wait till I got home.

A bit of research showed coq10 and vitamin b complex can help with tiredness. A trial of coq10 showed 12 weeks of60mg 3 times a day could reverse kidney failure a bit. In fact several patients on dialysis came off!

My blood was tested by gp. Next day the nurse knocked on my door saying I had to attend hospital immediately. I was emergency admitted with suspected renal failure. My bloods were dangerous ly low but the dr said I showed no other symptoms of kidney failure. I was about 8 weeks into the 12 week coq10 tablets.

14 weeks later I feel the best ive felt in ages. All weakness gone. Going to gp next week for bloods. I had them done when I was bad so it will be interesting to see what they are now.

Im not medically qualified. I have spoken with gp and national kidney assoc. They could offer no advice, they said speak to nephrologist. I have an appointment next month and will be interested to see what he thinks.

Andy

Thanks for this Andy.

I'm sorry too to hear about your problems but pleased to hear about the recent improvement.

I think the first thing I need to do is get back to my GP and confront her about the potential kidney issue and then continue to press for further tests and referral to a specialist if necessary.

John.

 

[ipswichandy]

Hi John.

The first signs I has was when I peed the water was frothy. I believe this is common.

They can do a simple urine test to check for protein which leaks once kidneys start to fail.

A blood test is then taken, which they calculate your gfr, which shows what % of your kidneys is working.

I forget the exact values, but over 40% and it's monitored by g, under 40% is referred to hospital. Under 15% normally indicates dialysis is needed. It's more complicated than that, but most decisions are based on gfr. Blood test is normally only done if protein detected in urine test.

Chances are you are above 40% and will have nothing to worry about. Kidney disease can cause anemia, but so can many other things, but if you are constantly tired it's a strong possibility you have anemia.

See your go, I'm sure they will do any required tests to put your mind at rest

Andy

 

[runner]

Thanks again Andy for that information.

I tend to get confused about the unit measurements Docs use for the variety of regular diabetic tests they do so that information is useful to have.

At my last blood test my Ferritin levels were in the normal/acceptable range although towards the bottom of the range (and as I said in my original post if I ate any more of an iron rich diet I'd probably rust) so if I am just anaemic (a term I tend to use interchangeably with low haemoglobin, probably mistakenly) I would also like to find out the cause of that (if it isn't iron deficiency) and whether there is any way of changing that condition but currently none of the medics seem all that interested in pursuing that further at the moment.

The potential kidney issue though is something I'd like to clear up first so next stop after posting this is a phone call to the surgery to book an appointment!

Thanks again.

John

 

[Liam1955]

@runner - Hello. Have just read your post - I too have my Ferritin Levels checked on a regular basis. My last one indicated my Ferritin was 23, I do take Iron Tablets daily that are on prescription from my GP.
Three years ago I had an Endoscopy (tube down my throat) and a Colonoscopy (tube up my bottom) and nothing was found = all was normal! The Aneamia began round about 4 years ago and for no apparent reason. I have had Type 2 now for 16 years.

 

[runner]

Thanks Liam.

Your Ferritin levels look significantly lower than mine were at the last count. Mine were 57 ng/ml in an "acceptable" range of 30 - 480 ng/ml but I haven't been put onto any prescription iron supplements by my GP. (Do you happen to know what your haemoglobin levels were when your Ferritin was at 23?)

My problem is that notwithstanding my "better" Ferritin levels my haemoglobin levels show no signs of improving and have been hovering around the bottom of the "acceptable" haemoglobin range, some times slightly above some times slightly below, for probably over 14 months now.

To me it looks like the low haemoglobin level is not due to iron deficiency (I may be wrong) but rather that my body is either not able to absorb the available blood iron or it is unable to make haemoglobin efficiently for some reason.

The problem is that none of the medics have so far suggested any tests or treatments to investigate either of the above scenarios.

I need to take control of that situation myself if I can but I'm not sure what tests to ask for. After Andy's post I have an appointment with my GP for next week when I will ask for a urine test again to rule out (or in) the possibility of kidney problems and then take it from there I guess.