Anaemia T2

[BBGRAMMY]

Hi all
Hope this is the right thread!
Anyone out there been anaemic on Metformin?
February 2025 my haemoglobin dropped.
May it dropped further. Prescribed ferrous fumerate.
August 2025 Locum GP sent me for colonoscopy and endoscopy found polyps and hiatus hernia
B12 low normal
October more polyps removed largest 40mm turned out to be a lypoma.
Hba1c 53 been at this level for years
Tried low carb diet lost weight but cholesterol and triglycerides concerningly high
Vegan diet - made me feel poorly
Now on portion control being aware of reduce carbs and iron healthy foods
GP wants me to increase Metformin from 3 x daily to 4 a day as he wants Hba1c reduced below 53
He will not take me off Metformin I asked
Nothing said about polyps
August biopsies benign
October look ok but waiting for result
Live in UK
Weight 11.3 stones
Age 68 yrs
Was active then reduced due to anaemia now trying to build up again walking and moving more
November given a blood form Hba1c and full blood count in 3 months and told to take over the counter iron tablets.
Fed up of feeling tired fasting BG this morning 8.8

 

[grantg]

Sorry to hear issues you have. My mum was anaemic years before diagnosed as t2 originally prescribed metformin and some other meds shortly thereafter, prescription changed a lot over time eventually insulin as other meds didn't work well enough for her. She required very regular venofer infusions to help with her deficiency (20+ years). When her haemoglobin was very low she used to be exhausted laying down in bed a lot of the time.

I had exceptionally high trigs 63.2mmol/l when was diagnosed t1/lada Jan 2025, never have been on metformin. Hopefully can offer a little reassurance when underlying issues are addressed effectively that they can come down relatively fast.

I have a couple of questions if possible. What was your lipid profile like prior to the lowcarb diet much change between? Alongisde have you had any additional tests carried out for your high triglycerides/lipid profile & anemia other than those listed in your post?

Not sure if you've had a wee look at the following page https://www.diabetes.co.uk/Diabetes-and-cholesterol.html it contains some useful info & links.

Good luck with your new treatment regime & building up on the exercise front. Hope your symptoms improve soon

 

[BBGRAMMY]

Hi Grantg
Your mum went through a lot. Thank you for sharing this.
I can’t go back to my cholesterol or tryglycerides readings as it was more than 3 years ago. As I remember my HDLs and LDLs were for a long time at the same levels. I was put on statins and tried different medications but unfortunately could not tolerate them. At this time I was low carbing and at my lowest weight. My GP informed me that my trigs were of a concerning level and I was put on Fenofibrate and am still taking it.
additional tests have been done to look at my anaemia inc serum iron etc and FBC haemoglobin red blood cell count etc whilst I was anaemic. Numbers are now up but on the line and I am considered not anaemic. Lipids/trigs not been done separately I have been anaemic off and on for all the time I’ve been diagnosed but last year was the worst it has ever been. Like your mum i had to take to my bed. I don’t want this to happen again.
I will look at the link you sent.
Thanks for making me aware of lipids/trigs it is really helpful as these have not been discussed for a long time.