How long to take iron for anemia from rectal bleeding?

Question

Hello doctor,

My height is 5'7" and I weigh about 159 pounds. I am a male with anemia. I got a colonoscopy but they could not stop the bleeding, so I got a transfusion, and I also got another colonoscopy to make sure that the bleeding stopped. I have to get another colonoscopy between 3-6 months from the first colonoscopy. I went to see my primary care doctor and they gave me some iron pills to be taken for three months which are over the counter called Ferrous Sulfate. I went to see the gastroenterologist last month, and they told me to come back this month to make an appointment to get another colonoscopy. I cannot get in touch with my doctor right now because of the COVID 19. I wanted to know that if I still have symptoms of anemia, could I take some more iron pills or three months is enough?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have mentioned that you had bleeding per rectum and you had gone for the colonoscopy. Can you share the report of colonoscopy so that I can know what was the cause of bleeding? It is perfectly safe for you to continue the iron medicines until the time you get an appointment with your regular doctor.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for sharing the previous reports. I have reviewed your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and the condition that you have been diagnosed with is tubular adenoma which is growth of some cells in the rectal area that caused you to bleed which your GI doctor would have explained to you.

Right now you can continue taking iron tablets. Along with that, I would suggest you to maintain a healthy diet with lots of green vegetables which help the body to produce more blood.

Have a diet with high fiber content. There is no urgency for you to see a doctor unless you have fresh bleeding or any symptoms of blood loss like giddiness, too much fatigue, difficulty breathing, etc.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

To continue or not to continue iron tablets would depend on whether your blood iron levels have returned to normal and also on your haemoglobin levels.

So I would suggest you to get the following tests done:

Complete blood count.
MCV, MCHC.
Serum Iron and ferritin levels.

Based on the results of these reports, I will be able to guide you further.

Also, if you have any bleeding present in the faeces, I would suggest you continue the iron tablets as they would replace the iron loss and also help in producing more haemoglobin.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other doubts.

Thank you.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can prescribe the following tests to you:

Complete blood count with blood indices.
Serum iron levels.
Serum ferritin level.
TIBC.
Stool for occult blood.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.