Anemia w/ fibroid?

I have a large fibroid on/near my right ovary.  In the past I have had iron-deficiency anemia which had to be corrected with hematocrit injections and iron tablets.  This was 10 yrs ago.  Now I have anemia again, but it seems to be a different type.  With iron-deficiency anemia, your body doesn't make enough red blood cells.  With whatever I have, I make enough blood cells, but they are too small.  Normal hematocrit level is around 12.  Last month mine was 10.7 so I was put on iron tablets - 6x the normal daily allowance.  Today they redid the hematocrit and it was 9.8!!!  The gyn/onc originally thought the anemia was due to the fibroid... but its not getting better with iron tabs - its getting much worse.  This may impact my surgery, which is tentatively scheduled for Aug 10th.  Feeling very nervous and alone.  Anyone else had this?

[in the same boat]

I know you can get pretty anemic from uterine fibroids, I'm not sure about ovarian fibroids. I had severe anemia from mine from heavy bleeding due to uterine fibroids. My hematocrit was around 9 or 10(I can't remember the exact number) & I had to have a blood transfusion. I was on iron pills too. My symptoms were shortness of breath upon small amount of exertion (like walking across the room) & heart palpitations. Right before my hysterectomy , I had such severe bleeding that I was at transfusion level again but they did the surgery anyway. I was ok afterward but it took many months to build up my blood again. So even if your hematocrit if very low before surgery, I don't think it's the greatest thing to go into surgery with, but I don't think it's terrible because they can transfuse you right then & there if you need it. I don't know if your hematocrit is at that level yet, but it does sound pretty close. Make sure your dr watches these levels very carefully right now because some of them are lax on it. That is what my gyn dr did to me. He didn't follow up on me even when I was telling him I was bleeding for weeks. So finally my PCP did it & then he admitted me to the hospital for transfusion. Not trying to scare you, but just keep after your dr to monitor it because the hematocrit can't go too low and you might start to get disoriented & have symptoms.

[just_plain_fae]

Yes, he's been pretty good at monitoring it.  I haven't ever had abnormal bleeding though, is the strange thing.  Just regular 5 day periods.  My only symptom for the fibroid was sudden incontinence.  So I'm thinking it must be unusual to have my hematocrit levels plunging downward when I've not had bleeding and I'm on iron tabs that are 6x the typical daily dose. :(  Will update tomorrow when the nurse calls back.

[just_plain_fae]

Uh... just noticed for some reason that it posted my original question as "preschool_teacher_03" which is what I use for Yahoo LOL.  Weird.  Anyways that original post and the reply from "fae" were both me, for those trying to figure it out.  :)