Iron dropped to 9

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Hi all. It's a year and a month since I had my bowel resection. Last week I went to my GP for bloods, due to some stomach pain. Apparently my iron is at 9, should I be concerned? This was the first symptom of my first diagnosis, but my iron was 4 then. My GP didn't seem overly concerned and gave me iron tablets, although she has written to my surgeon regarding stomach ache.

Trouble is I've gone into panic mode and i'm now thinking "reoccurrence", anyone experienced the same?

My CEA levels have remained the same, 4.

TIA

Glazed 1 month ago

I don't think you need to panic but I don't think that sounds like enough by the gp.

There are many causes of low iron but ultimately it's usually blood loss somewhere, whether it is dangerous and nasty or not I guess is the question.

If you are female and pre-menopausal then menstruation is by far the most common.

Do you still have the contacts for your oncology CNS? If you can't get the GP to get cracking then they will be an alternative route.

Ultimately there are many causes of low iron, many of which are annoying rather than doomsday but caution is of course warranted

Margaret W 1 month ago in reply to Glazed

Thank you for your input.

I don't think she was panicked because my CEA level has remained at 4 throughout, and stayed the same on this set of bloods that were taken. Apparently there is a significant increase if there are signs of reoccurrence.

I spoke to a different GP who has posted me a fit test, just to be on the safe side, however, because of the Christmas holiday period, it will probably take longer.

I have phoned one of the colon nurses at my hospital, she hasn't got back to me yet.