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Thyroid & Anemia
General question:
What is the relationship between hypothyroidism & anemia?
Does hypothyroidism contribute to anemia---OR--does being anemic contribute to hypothyroidism?
Would love to have some feedback on this.
What is the relationship between hypothyroidism & anemia?
Does hypothyroidism contribute to anemia---OR--does being anemic contribute to hypothyroidism?
Would love to have some feedback on this.
Excerpt from Hypothyroid Mom - The Thyroid is Connected to So Many Parts of the Body (although to add I do better on sublingual B12 spray with autoimmune pernicious anaemia...just saying lol).
"Thyroid and Red Blood Cells
A hypothyroid state can lead to several different types of anemia.
Normocytic normochromic anemia: Hypothyroidism can cause a decrease in the production of the hormone erythropoeitin and this may cause this type of anemia. There are about 14 different kinds. For this treatment should be focused on the thyroid.
Macrocytic anemia: Low thyroid activity can lead to this because of a decrease in absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid caused by a decrease in hydrochloric acid. For this, one must rule out the autoimmune condition below and if it is not autoimmune supplement with B12, folic acid and possibly hydrochloric acid.
Pernicious anemia: This is an autoimmune disease caused by an autoimmune attack on intrinsic factor which is responsible for helping the body absorb vitamin B12.
One of the realities of autoimmune disease is that there are sometimes multiple tissues being attacked.
In about 12% of Hashimoto’s patients, there is also an autoimmune attack on intrinsic factor.
If you suspect this type of anemia, an Intrinsic Factor Autoantibody test can be ordered. (IF ab). If this is positive, then they have pernicious anemia. These people respond better to B12 injections.
Iron deficiency anemia: Hypothyroidism can also affect iron absorption because of decreases in stomach acid and excessive blood loss from progesterone receptor site resistance.
If iron is deficient, TIBC (total iron binding capacity) should be checked.
This will be elevated in iron deficiency and is a good marker to see early iron deficiency.
For this, supplement with iron, hydrochloric acid and possibly vitamin C to enhance absorption.
Whenever you see an abnormal pattern in a CBC (complete red and white blood cell count) then the thyroid should be evaluated. And when someone sees a thyroid issue, a CBC should always be evaluated.
And here is why this matters: if a patient is anemic, they are not getting enough oxygen to their cells and nothing you do is going to be effective.
If you don’t fix this, all the treatments that you attempt will be exercises in futility because the cells of the body are not being powered properly."
"Thyroid and Red Blood Cells
A hypothyroid state can lead to several different types of anemia.
Normocytic normochromic anemia: Hypothyroidism can cause a decrease in the production of the hormone erythropoeitin and this may cause this type of anemia. There are about 14 different kinds. For this treatment should be focused on the thyroid.
Macrocytic anemia: Low thyroid activity can lead to this because of a decrease in absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid caused by a decrease in hydrochloric acid. For this, one must rule out the autoimmune condition below and if it is not autoimmune supplement with B12, folic acid and possibly hydrochloric acid.
Pernicious anemia: This is an autoimmune disease caused by an autoimmune attack on intrinsic factor which is responsible for helping the body absorb vitamin B12.
One of the realities of autoimmune disease is that there are sometimes multiple tissues being attacked.
In about 12% of Hashimoto’s patients, there is also an autoimmune attack on intrinsic factor.
If you suspect this type of anemia, an Intrinsic Factor Autoantibody test can be ordered. (IF ab). If this is positive, then they have pernicious anemia. These people respond better to B12 injections.
Iron deficiency anemia: Hypothyroidism can also affect iron absorption because of decreases in stomach acid and excessive blood loss from progesterone receptor site resistance.
If iron is deficient, TIBC (total iron binding capacity) should be checked.
This will be elevated in iron deficiency and is a good marker to see early iron deficiency.
For this, supplement with iron, hydrochloric acid and possibly vitamin C to enhance absorption.
Whenever you see an abnormal pattern in a CBC (complete red and white blood cell count) then the thyroid should be evaluated. And when someone sees a thyroid issue, a CBC should always be evaluated.
And here is why this matters: if a patient is anemic, they are not getting enough oxygen to their cells and nothing you do is going to be effective.
If you don’t fix this, all the treatments that you attempt will be exercises in futility because the cells of the body are not being powered properly."
If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
A hypothyroid patient is frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, which is a test for iron levels. The reason given for this is that hypo patients often are low in stomach acid and don't adequately absorb vitamins and nutrients. Ferritin is recommended to be 70 minimum.
A hypothyroid patient is frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, which is a test for iron levels. The reason given for this is that hypo patients often are low in stomach acid and don't adequately absorb vitamins and nutrients. Ferritin is recommended to be 70 minimum.
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