Anybody ever been anemic, then sent to a gastologist(sp)?

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

My mom had some blood work done, and it said she was anemic. Her doc. also said that her blood work looked very wacked up, so they couldn't tell what type of anemia it was. They tell my mom she needs to see a gastrologist or a gastro doctor or something like that (please correct me if I am saying it wrong!!) She has been a somewhat basket case, thinking it might be cancer, or something untreatable, and looking to much on the negative side.
She wanted me to post here to see if anybody else has had this happen to them, and if you can fill in ANY details about what you had, what you were diagnosed with, was it treatable, etc, etc, she and I would VERY much appreciate it!!! Thanks!!

p.s. She also has what she calls fluttering in her upper stomach. Kind of like heart palpitations, but in her upper stomach.

 

[luvwinnie]

"her blood work looked very wacked up, "

I hope her dr. gave her details...but I won't be surprised if he/she didn't. I have not had this happen, but have heard of it. THey want to rule out intestinal bleeding I'm sure. I would ask the dr. for a complete copy of blood test results. I hope your mom is just fine!

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Anybody else?

 

[babar]

They are trying to rule out any gi bleeding.

 

[Disney Doll]

The doctor is sending her to see a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive system. When someone has low blood counts (which is probably what "whacked out" means in this case), it usually signifies bleeding from somewhere internally, if there is no evident cause of bleeding, such as a traumatic injury where there had been a lot of blood loss or something to that effect.

Anyhow, the gastrointestinal (GI) system is one of the most common areas where "occult" (not immediately evident...sort of like a slow leak) bleeding occurs. It can be caused by many things...cancer, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, polyps...to name a few.

The GI specialist will probably order an endoscopy(looking down her throat and into her stomach with a tube), & a colonoscopy (looking up her rectum into her intestines with a tube) first. Those are the 2 most common tests to diagnoses GI problems, and they are effective because the doctor actually sees the areas, rather than looking at a shadowy-looking ultrasound picture or a silhouette like one would see in an x-ray.

If both of those tests are negative, they might order a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen. Beyond that, it becomes a bit more diagnosis-specific, so it would depend on what they find.

If they find nothing with the GI work-up, my guess is the next doctor she would see is a hematologist (blood specialist) to determine if she has an unusual bleeding disorder which is causing the low blood counts.

Bleeding can also be found in the urinary system, but that is a bit more unusual. Chances are they will find something in the GI system when they start looking. Tell her not to panic though...many times it's something as benign as a polyp.

 

[floridafam]

My brother went in for a check up and found out he was anemic. His hemoglobin was 7. It should be between 12-15.

They immediately sent him to a Gastroenterologist to get scoped at both ends-colonoscopy and whatever the call the upper GI procedure.

Unfortunately, they immediately discovered colon cancer.

This doesn't mean this will happen to everyone who is anemic. It could be something totally different, it could be a benign polyp, etc.

It's always good to keep on top of your blood count. This one little test can help detect many things before they become problems.

My parents have also had bouts of anemia, both were scoped and both turned out to be fine. I do not remember the reason for the anemia.

Relax and keep us posted on the outcome.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Unfortunately, they immediately discovered colon cancer.
:

Oh my god, how old was he? How is he now? Is colon cancer a common outcome from anemia??

 

[Aimeedyan]

I was severely anemic as well (still am), my bloodwork came out "whacked" LOL, saw a GI and they found Crohn's disease. There are lots of reasons why one could be anemic, and sometimes it's nothing - but it's best to have a GI look over the bloodwork and run any necessary tests.

There is no reason to panic as the answer can be anything from an ulcer to cancer. To add to that, some diseases, like Crohn's, can be adjatated by stress tremendously so you're just hurting yourself by stressing over it more. GI issues can be affected by stress in amazing ways.

Tell her to not worry and just see what the doc says. Anemia is VERY common and there are a multitude of reasons why. =)

 

[floridafam]

It could be many things.

The most important thing to do is find the answer.

The fluttering she speaks of could be GERD. Does she have bad heartburn?

It honestly does not sound anything like what my brother experienced. Sorry to post something so down but I wanted to let you know how he was diagnosed and answer your question honestly. He was only 36 and did not survive his cancer.

BUT....in hindsight, he had other symptoms for years. It does not sound like your mother has had any other symptoms.

When will they be able to schedule her tests? I have had both a colonoscopy and and endoscopy and they were simple and painless.

Again, try not to worry too much. Keep us posted.

 

[nativetxn]

Just have them check this out. Colonoscopy and endoscopy.

My mother had the anemia and it turned out that she had stomach cancer. I'm not saying this is the issue with your mother. She just needs to be checked out.

Katholyn

 

[mtblujeans]

I always have a trickle of blood in my urine from pain killers I take. Does she take a prescription medication on a regular basis that could be contributing to a small blood loss? Not to say that is the problem, but she should mention this to the specialist while he is checking her GI, etc., if she does. No matter how scary it may be, I always feel it is best to find out what is (possibly) wrong and begin to deal with it. I am sure your Mom will be just fine!

 

[cheeringmom]

A good day to check the boards. I, too, just found out today I have a "whacked up blood count" low iron "10" when normal is 37-170. I will talk to the doc next week and see what is going on. Thanks for the heads up and I hope your mom finds out what is ailing her too!

 

[JeanJoe]

I'm don't see adult patients anymore, but it's really hard to tell based on the information you have.

They probably did a stool hemoccult test (to look for non-visible blood in the stool). If this were positive, going to see a GI doctor would be a good idea, especially in her age group. If it were negative, they'd still want to check GI, to rule-out the most serious things, but there could be other reasons for anemia.

In kids, plain old iron deficiency will cause anemia, and is one of the most common causes. Vitamin B12 deficiency can do the same, as, rarely, would folate deficiency. These types of anemias will cause the blood work to show particular patterns (small red blood cells with iron deficiency, as well as with chronic GI bleeding; large with B12 and folate). The statement that the blood tests were "whacked out" probably means it didn't obviously fit any of these patterns.

Bottom line is that only time and testing will tell. Good luck, and I hope it's nothing.

 

[chrissyk]

My mother was sent for all kinds of tests after she tested as severely anemic. Her Dr. thinks that she has some sort of Thallasemia (sp?) (Mediterranean genetic anemia), but that there are so many kinds of this disorder that they don't test for all of them.

I am anemic right now myself. My Dr. must not be too worried about it, because she hasn't called me at all since I had blood drawn for a repeat blood count last week. I think that they are just being cautious in your mom's case.

 

[Honu]

My DH had to get scoped for anemia. His turned out to be ulcers. He thought it was just normal heartburn. Here's a big toss of Pixie Dust for your mom. Don't stress about what could be.

 

[Holly]

Anemia was one of my symptoms when I was referred to a Gastro doctor a few months ago. A colonoscopy and upper endoscopy revealed microscopic colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome- which can all be managed through medication & diet. Don't stress yourself out by thinking the worst! I hope all of her tests come back with good results.

 

[always quiet]

Back in 2000, after my DH finished with his first course of Hep C treatment, his blood counts did not return to normal once treatment stopped. Instead, the red count continued to drop and he became anemic. He had the scopes done in both ends and when they dropped it down his throat, they discovered he had acid reflux so bad that it had eaten holes in his esphogaus! Acid reflux meds were prescribed and it hasn't bothered him since. He was never in pain with the acid reflux though. I figure he felt so lousy from the Hep treatment, he didn't realize it was something new.

 

[bettyann29]

I am currently anemic.. as far back as I can remember I've had it off and on.. but I changed drs a few years ago and she detected it and she wanted me to see a specialist but I kinda blew it off.. a few months back I went in because I was sick for months and she told me I was severly anemic and I really need to see a hematologist (blood dr).. I went and he ordered iv infusion therapy to try to get my blood levels up to where they should be and said once my body was where it needed to be then I would be sent to a gastro dr to find out what was causing it.. he said that in females with iron deficiency anemia they lose it thru their monthly periods.. but the problem is I hardly have one.. I barely even bleed.. I had tried several months of storebought vitamins and my body wasnt holding the iron so.... I had to get an iv put in my arm and go in daily to have treatment.. about 2 to 3 weeks after that treatment I still wasnt feeling any better and called the nurse and she called me back the next day and then said that many times it takes 2 to 3 rounds of treatment to get me where I need to be.. so she said I need to come back in and get bloodwork so they can check my levels..she asked me what would be a good day and I told her.. she said she would set the appt for bloodwork and call me.. she never called me. The following week I finally called her and she called me back the following day.. she appologized that she forgot to make my appt and call me back.. she then set my appt for that Friday.. I went that Friday.. she said that my results would be in the following monday and they would call me so that if needed could set up another week of treatment.. as of today I still have not heard back from her!! The monday she was referring to was the week before Memorial Day.. so this coming Monday will be 2 weeks later and she hasnt called me... A few days ago I finally called the office and said I wanted to be switched to another dr in that office because I was tired of dealing with that nurse.. they said that the office manager had to approve it.. she called me back yesterday and set me an appt with another dr in that office for next Friday.. so now I have to go see him to see what I can do.. It is soooooo frustrating sometimes dealing with the drs offices..

sorry to rant about all that.. but it all boils down to what kind of anemia she has.. there is different treatments.. first they determine what kind of anemia and then determine what is causing it.. in my case they are initially trying to get me to where I should be and then are going to investigate to see why I have it..

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

DH was anemic and after many tests, they determined he had Celiac Disease. Through diet, he can control his reactions and his bloodwork for the the last 4 years has been normal.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

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