Need Iron Info Please

[PSP-n-Me]

37178.1  

I have been on Procrit for 5 weeks - My hemo went from 8.4 to 10 and now it is at 9.9 - My NP told me she thinks (in her opinion) that I need a building block - iron

She said what is happening is the Procrit is making baby red blood cells, but they are not maturing and that is why the hemo is not going up - She tested me to see if I had a iron deficiency - Will get results in a few days...her theory is this - If I am iron deficient she wants me to take iron supplements (another frigging shot)

My question to y'all - Anyone know why we are always told that we should not take iron, what is the reason?  I asked her about it and she said if iron deficient the body will use it up before it has a chance to store in the liver - I just feel a bit uncomfortable about this and wanted anyone that has had experience with this...

Please no personal opinions, ony those that have had experience

Thanks Beth

[PSP-n-Me]

I got my bloodwork back regarding the iron situation - no deficiencies!  So, now the Doc is saying to continue with the Procrit every other week - then do blood draw, if the hemo is still 10 or under go back to weekly with the Procrit - they anticipate I may need to continue to take it througout the duration of tx...I hate those needles - that stuff stings like a 100 bees all at once LOL But, it's better to be stung once a week then stay in bed all week long :)

PS: I asked the Doc (not the NP) about iron causing the virus to replicate and she said no - the only time you have to worry about iron is if you have iron overload - then it is real risky to take it, and ESLD patients as well...

But for the average every day garden variety hepper like myself - no problemo

*dippers*

[Spouse1]

We use only stainless steel for cooking now since iron pans/pots are also a source of iron - but beware of Teflon, too, since it is now being reported as toxic and all toxics go right to the liver.  My theory is that if iron is not good for you, neither is aluminum.  Any metal (other than stainless steel) will react with anything acidic cooked in it.  

[PSP-n-Me]

Nice to see you - If what you say that the iron assists in the viral replication, would that apply to people have reached a UD status or for early on treaters, now you rouse my curiousity

*dip*

[nygirl7]

The only problem with taking the iron is that iron is necessary for replication of the virus (it assists it) - so basically we don't want it AT ALL.

I started on Epogen 40,000 and then had to take it 2 x a week = 80,000 for it to finally work.  I was taking a lot of extra ribavirin so it was not too much of a shock that my hemo should go so far south so fast.

How long have you been on the Procrit?  It can take up to 6 weeks to really work and that is IF you are getting enough of the stuff.

I would definitely take more of the Procrit before I'd in any iron to my system.....it's worth a try.

[debnevada]

Amen about the b12 shots, i'm still sure that one of these days i'll hit my femur.

[Proactive]

iron and hcv
http://www.natap.org/2005/HCV/020705_01.htm