Anemic?

[wonko]

I recently found out that I am anemic.  This really surprised me, as I take a multi-vitamin and eat a varied diet.  I'm also obese, and I guess I usually think of anemia as more likely to affect the underweight.

I'm just curious if others with Lyme & co. also come up as anemic?  One of my worst lingering problems after years of treatment is fatigue, which is often at still worst shortly before my period.  I am hopeful addressing the anemia will help improve the fatigue.

I'm adding an Fe supplement to my multi-vitamin regime, as recommended by my doc.  This is not through my LLMD, so I was not able to ask about if/how the anemia could be related to Lyme, so thought I'd ask here.

[Rothere]

Both times Ive  had lymes, Ive craved bacon or grass fed beef. After a month of trying a Vegetarian diet I realized a relapse of the sharp pain symptoms had come back and corresponded to lasting about one month.  I picked up some organic uncured bacon. I cant seem to get by without a few strips to supplement.

[Cynkevtay]

My ferratin level is bottom out low. So yes. My LLMD said its normal for lyme patients to have anemia, I take suplements but cant seem to raise my levels.

[cave76]

True---- and what about in mercury in fish/shellfish?

"The consumption of fish is by far the most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans and animals"

Evidently long-lived fish (swordfish anyone?) have more mercury than the shorter lived ones.

So, I'd eat nothing but kale except I'm on Coumadin. Sigh. LOL

[Ricobord]

That's some good stuff, but beware of shellfish.  They tend to be loaded with contaminants, which can be really hard on a body with chronic Lyme.  Mussels are the worst as they're true filters that soak up more contaminants than other shellfish. Scientist test mussels for toxins to test health of the water and to decide if a beach should be closed.  They're the ocean's version of the canary in the coal mine.

If you love shellfish, just eat them occasionally and in small quantities.

[cave76]

Mollusks (Clams, Mussels, Oysters, Shrimp)
Liver (Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Beef)

Yummy for all!

[Ricobord]

Some people become anemic when their body is actively trying to fight off an infection. All known organisms except Lyme need iron to survive, and so the immune system cranks out a substance that absorbs iron as part of its arsenal in attacking an invader.  It's part of why many people feel crummy when they're fighting an infection... they're anemic, even though there's no iron deficiency.  (Note: a recent study showed that instead of iron, Lyme uses manganese, the first known organism to do so.)

Some people are anemic for genetic reasons or diet.  Some with chronic Lyme are anemic due to malabsorption, which is not uncommon. Malabsorption due to a messed up Lyme gut isn't limited to iron.  B12 deficiency is common, too.  I think my malabsorption issues were made worse by Bartonella.  Ironically enough, I've never been anemic on blood tests.  I do eat a nice juicy steak at a certain time of the month, though, just to keep things level.

And of course, Babesia is notorious for causing anemia. I have a rather stubborn case of Babesia, and I have yet to show signs of anemia, so it isn't an absolute. I guess my bone marrow is still doing a great job of cranking out new blood cells to make up for the infected ones.

Anemia isn't uncommon separate from Lyme. I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Getting it from food is more useful for the body than from supplements.  A supplement gives you more than you can use at one time.

There's a show I've seen on public television by Dr. Neil Barnard. He is an expert on Alzheimer's. All four grandparents and both parents had the disease, so he was motivated to learn as much as he could about it. He has found that Alzheimer's plaques are loaded with minerals. He thinks overconsumption of them is a contributing factor. He thinks aluminum and iron cookware could contribute, too.  (My grandmother loved her cast iron pan and used it her whole life. She had Alzheimer's, too. Coincidence or no?)

He recommends against mineral supplements, unless a person is actually low in something. It's easy to get too much with supplements, hard to get too much with specific foods.

[mojogal]

I had to be hospitalized for my severe anemia while fighting Babesia. I had to have blood transfusions. It was strange because I was tested weakly and within a weak I got so badly anemic. After my transfusions, my Babesia was gone (knock wood).

[cave76]

Babesia is associated with anemia----- sorta a 'duh' since Babs is a RBC disease. :)

But----- it could just be 'plain ol' anemia', whatever that is. :(
Cooking in cast iron pots and pans is the old fashioned way to try and help prevent anemia.