meat or no meat ?

Allergies, blood and immune system
1

Hi Everyone

Can i have a show of hands or responses on how many of you are vegetarian?  Joe's ferritin was 1121 after 5 blood transfusions, a month ago, but his hemoglobin was 94.   After his blood test, a few days ago, his ferritin is now 1511 and his hemoglobin 116.  His EPO was 11.4, so he has plenty of EPO to make red blood cells, so i don't know why his hb is only 116.  They did not do the saturation or iron serum, or TIBC, which they were supposed to, so it will be done on Monday.  When his ferritin was 1121 at the hospital, he was 100% saturated and serum iron was high, so it will likely be the same.

Meanwhile, am wondering if i should tell the dietician at the nursing home, "no meat", and replace with fish.  They don't have clams or shrimp or shellfish.....usually Polloct and sometimes, Salmon

Thanks

Linda

2

Hi there, my doctor told me there was no benefit to be gained from going veggie as we need iron in our diets anyway and will load iron regardless. The only thing she said not to do was take supplements containing iron and big doses of vit c, fruit is, also keep alcohol minimal. But we're all different and I'm not a medic or a dietician so best to take advice from the experts. All the best. S

3

Should read fruit is ok.

4

Hi e230406

Thanks for your response.  HH patients are low on vitamin C from fruit.  I read that they need 1000 to 2000 mg per day between meals. so as not to absorb iron  I will start another discussion on this.

Linda

5

Glad to hear that Joe's Hb has improved with time.  Remember that as he is anaemic, he does need iron.  His high ferritin could be exasperated by his cirrhosis and ulcer inflammation.

Maybe he should be seeing a good haemotologist as well as the gastroenterologist to get a good interpretation of his iron panels and follow up action.

If you referred to The Hemochromatosis Cookbook by Cheryl Garrison you will have noticed that clams are so high in iron that I think it is a typo.

How does Joe feel about not eating red meat anymore?  If it is not really necessary, maybe there is not much left for him to enjoy!!!

6

Hi Sheryl

Thanks for your email.

He was a vegetarian before residing at the home, because he did not want to eat God's creatures, but if i would've told the dietician that, they would give him more carbs like bread, pasta, and potato, so i told them no sugar, or wheat, but have recently added dairy, as of mdi May

7

Hi Sheryl

I forgot to mention that we did see a Haemotologist a couple of weeks ago, and he did not think it was a good idea to do phlebotomy until his hb was over 120 and he becomes stronger, but even then, only once every couple months, but it would takes 10 years to get his iron down to acceptable level.   He also suggested chelation, but i told him that we already tried that and it went down 700 after 4 treatments, but plateaued after another 10 treatments

8

Good idea, then he can leave it if he wants - or give it to the 'dog'!

As his serum iron is so low, his high TS%  is only making that % of his low serum iron available to be absorbed.  (Sorry, I think I said that before.)  Normally a venesection will knock off 25 units of the ferritin, but it can suddenly drop by the hundreds, particularly if the high ferritin is caused by inflammation of the liver and his surgery.

Is there any hope that the cirrhosis will mend?

I just hope Joe is comfortable and not suffering from it.

 

9

Is there a cirrhosis of the liver association where you live?  If so, and if you have not already done so, they may have some ideas and be supportive.

 

10

You are really doing an amazing job looking after Joe's health, strathroy.  I hope it all goes well for both of you.

 

11

Hi Sheryl

Thanks for your email.  No, no pain.  He's on lactulose, lasix and spironolactone for the ascites and swelling, which is going.  I've been consulting with other health care prac, a medical technologist, and someone had had advanced Cirrhosis at one time, and have got him on antioxidants and neutriceuticals, to regenerate the liver, reduce inflammation, and build the immune system

The hematologist said that if Joe was his relative,, he would not do anything, as blood letting makes you too tired and chelation removes other nutrients

Thanks for your concern