Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Pathology
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 49-year-old woman. I am suffering from severe anemia (iron and B12 deficiency). This might be the result of prolonged malnutrition over the past few years. The problem is that I have developed extreme sensitivity to most of the drugs, medication, treatment. In the past, there were many instances of adverse reactions by taking medicines of Iron composition. These include restlessness, breathing problem, and diarrhea. About five years ago, upon the doctor’s advice and supervision, I was fed intravenously through saline bottle with some Iron injection to it. Immediately in about 15 minutes after the procedure, I experienced shortness of breath, burning sensation in muscles, swelling of legs, fatigue, and diarrhea. It subsided when I was given an antidote by the doctor immediately. From then onwards I was reluctant to take any of my medicines and undergo any treatment. I just focussed on improving my diet. Recently upon doctor’s advice, I took some medical tests and the reports were serum ferritin: 3.0 ng/mL, vitamin B12: 129 pg/mL, TSH: 0.02 µIU/mL (but T3/T4 tests are fine), iron: 15 µg/dL, TIBC: 527 µg/dL, hemoglobin 7.7 g/dL, vitamin D: 18.39 ng/mL. I was also informed that I developed food allergy to some foods. Lately, I am experiencing a headache with activity, unexplained generalized weakness, fatigue most of the time. According to the doctor, I am in a very critical position and should be immediately treated with Iron injections, blood transfusion, etc. But, I am really worried as my body will not be able to take these treatments (as I faced adverse reactions in the past). Are there any medical procedures or treatments on which I can rely upon ensuring that they will not have any adverse effects after the treatment. Please help me.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
You are having iron injection allergy. Hence, it is better to avoid. But sometimes, we have to take decision according to benefit to risk ratio. In your case benefit could be more because severe anemia should be treated. (Your ferritin is also very low). So, blood transfusion or Iron injection might be needed in your case if severe anemia is present as per provided history. Before transfusion, an antihistaminic drug can be given to minimize allergic reactions. I suggest you consult a Hematologist for examination and accordingly further management.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply. I would like to know about the diet I should follow. Presently, Iron absorption capacity of my body is very low I believe. I want to know if it is okay or too risky to handle this problem relying solely on diet.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The treatment depends on your hemoglobin level. In severe anemia that is hemoglobin below 7, usually, Iron injection or blood transfusion is given. Following are foods that are rich in iron like spinach, beetroot, tomato, red meat, peanut butter, cooked beef, jaggery, seafood, etc. You can consume orange juice while taking above foods which can increase your iron absorbing capacity because orange juice contains vitamin C. You can take beet juice daily to increase hemoglobin level.
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