Borderline Anemia long after SVR: Anyone Also Experience this?

[DoubleDose]

I have been off therapy for over six years, and am fully SVR.  My red blood cell stats (hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC) have been in the normal range, but in the lower quartile throughout this six year period of time.  Lately they have drifted closer to the lower limits, or just slightly above, and I am concerned that this now constitutes borderline anemia.  A few more tenths of a point and I will technically be anemic.  I don't know if anyone else has experienced this sort of phenomenon, either the SVR's or those that relapsed after tx, but I would have hoped that my numbers would have been moving in an upward direction, not slowly downward.  Granted the move lower has been very slow and gradual, but now I fear a slow continuing progression over the years.  Any thoughts or ideas out there?  
DoubleDose

[JennyPenny]

I wonder what your doc would say? Have you explored any reason for a slow loss of blood, like bleeding hemorrhoids or somethng like that? I rather doubt it would have anything to do with treatment or with a past infection with HCV.

[mikesimon]

Are you taking any meds that you haven't researched?
I have been borderline anemic for as long as I have been tracking my numbers - 2001.
I treated a long time and I attributed my 12+ hemoglobin to hemolytic anemia left over from TX.
2 years after SVR I thought that perhaps my bone marrow was suppressed as a result of transplant.
A few months ago I looked up Dapsone - It was the culprit. My center wants us to take either Bactrim or Dapsone for life but after doing some study I discontinued it. My hemoglobin was 14.6 from a draw last Friday. It had been 13 maybe once before and usually in the low 12s.
Although I am digressing and ranting, it really bothers me that when I was treating I had pretty bad anemia - why wouldn't I? TX was causing hemolytic anemia and so too was the Dapsone. No one from transplant has ever mentioned the side effect of Dapsone.
Look at your Drugs just to be sure.
Mike

[jdwithhcv]

Do you have any family history of colon cancer?  I was anemic for a long time from a slow GI bleed.  Have you had colonoscopy recently?  If not, maybe ask about that.

[GoofyDad]

I had anemia after tx. Actually, it wasn't borderline - it was the Full Monty. She gave me two bags and made me hold it.....

Ooooops - just reread the question. Mine wasn't anemia... sorry for the intrusion....

[DoubleDose]

I appreciate the comments and advice!

Mike, I will research the current medications that I currently take, but I do doubt that either Cozaar or Synthroid have any anemia producing characteristics.  It sounds like you are somewhat in the same boat that I have been in.  Hopefully the Dapsone was the problem in your case...and maybe that can now be discontinued or swapped for another medication.  

Jenny and jdwithhcv:  I have spoken to my GI, and she has encouraged me to follow up and get the colonoscopy.  I will be doing that soon.  She basically indicated that after the Colonoscopy we could then credibly discuss this with a specialist to pursue the exact cause.  I think that the after-tx autoimmunity that I have experienced may potentially be the culprit.  It seems that people with almost any autoimmune disease, especially Lupus, have a high incidence of blood cell issues, and anemia.  Thanks for the feedback.

DoubleDose

[JennyPenny]

You are certainly right about the autoimmune issues causing anemia. However, better safe than sorry. The colonoscopy will allow you to put that worry behind you.

[GoofyDad]

Sorry for bringing my hijinks into your serious thread. That was pretty insensitive on my part. I hope you find your answwers.  

[DoubleDose]

It would be just plain goofy for me to take offense......ooh those hijinks....just can't stop laughing....what a goof!  

Achen Zie Doobledozer