Iron deficiency issues

Does anyone happen to know what hyposiderosis actually refers to? Also, could someone clarify what Cor comp. means... Thanks in advance for any insight.

At first glance, this looks like it could be an iron deficiency (though I couldn't be totally sure), but the other thing seems like it might be a way of describing compensated heart failure.

rapidbadger26 said:Can someone actually explain what hyposiderosis is?

Where are you seeing "hyposiderosis" listed—is this from a blood panel or something?

Maria Grant42 said:Where did you see the diagnosis for hiposiderosis? Was it on a blood panel or something?

I had a cardiology appointment today. I still have to go through the usual routine—an echo, Holter monitor, stress test... For now, they’ve given me a preliminary diagnosis: extrasystole, compensated heart, and hiposiderosis.
I’ve always struggled with low iron levels (iron-deficiency anemia), so I figured this might be related, but I haven't come across that specific term before.
And does anyone know what a "compensated heart" actually means?...

rapidbadger26 said:So what exactly is a "compensated" heart?

Basically, a heart that isn't failing yet.

The worst part is that I’ve been battling this anemia for years now; my stomach is practically full of iron supplements and Pfizer... Just when things finally seem to stabilize, the levels drop again after a few months. I used to think the heart palpitations only happened when my iron was low, but now they persist even when my levels are back to normal. It’s likely a combination of that, panic disorder, and genetics (not to mention my own lifestyle choices, unfortunately). Regardless, THANK YOU for making sense of all these confusing terms.

rapidbadger26 said:The worst part is I’ve been fighting this anemia for years—my stomach is basically full of iron supplements and Pfizer at this point. Just when things seem to stabilize, the levels tank again after a few months. I used to think the heart palpitations were tied to the low iron, but now they show up even when my levels look fine. It’s probably a messy cocktail of the deficiency, panic disorder, and genetics (not to mention my lifestyle choices, unfortunately). Anyway, THANKS for clearing up all those confusing terms for me.

Post your blood work if you can—it'll help us figure out what kind of anemia we're actually dealing with.

How old are you, and have you been taking any prescription meds or over-the-counter supplements lately? Any recent hospital stays? Blood transfusion?

Maria Grant42 said:Post your blood work if you have it handy so we can see what kind of anemia we're dealing with.

How old are you, and have you been taking any prescription or over-the-counter meds lately? Any recent hospital stays or blood transfusions?

I don't have my labs on me right now, but my doctor mentioned it's iron-deficiency anemia... though I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the details. My username is my age. For medication, I take Pfizer if my iron levels drop significantly, otherwise just standard supplements. I did need a transfusion back in 2000 after my third C-section. Other than that, I'm on Zoloft and take Xanax as needed, both by prescription. My periods are heavy for a couple of days and then taper off over about a week. I've had IV iron twice before, always under my doctor's supervision...

This looks a bit more complicated than just standard iron-deficiency anemia. Have you tried messing with folic acid or maybe some B-complex vitamins?
To me, it feels like an absorption issue—your body isn't actually processing what you give it. It doesn't matter how many iron supplements you swallow if your system can't actually utilize them.

Once you get those lab results back, post them here so we can take a look.

Maria Grant42 said:It seems a bit more complicated than standard iron-deficiency anemia. Have you tried taking folic acid (B-complex vitamins)?
To me, your issue looks like an absorption problem. It doesn't matter how many iron supplements you take if your body can't actually process them...

Once you get your lab results back, post them here so we can take a look.

Here are the labs from my ER visit on September 20, 2008 (forgive any typos, I'm not a medical professional): RBC= 4.56, Hemoglobin= 129, Hematocrit= 0.400
MCV= 87.6, MCH= 28.3, MCHC= 323, RDW= 14.1, Platelets= 245, MPV= 7.4

Then, following a referral from my primary doctor, these were the results from September 26, 2008: Iron= 5.3, UIBC= 54.2, TIBC= 59.5

And finally, some older results I found from April 24, 2007. Back then, I was taking Ferrum Lek tablets during my period.
WBC= 4.2, RBC= 4.39, HGB= 130, HCT= 0.392, MCV= 89, MCH= 29.5
MCHC= 331, RDW= 16.3, PLT= 233, MPV= 7.3, PCT= 0.170, PDW= 13, Iron= 17.40

Just to clarify, when I first started treating this anemia back in 1999, I was seeing a different doctor who always prescribed folic acid along with the Ferrum Lek. However, in 2006, I saw a hematologist who recommended IV treatments (Ferlecit and Venafer) instead. After finishing that therapy, he just had me take the Ferrum Lek during my period and nothing else. I switched doctors that same year, and she actually asked why I was still taking folic acid, noting it wasn't even necessary for my specific case. Honestly, after nearly ten years of managing this and seeing various specialists, someone surely would have realized by now if the diagnosis or treatment plan was off... but thank you for looking out for me. A second opinion is always helpful. One doctor actually opened my eyes when she mentioned I shouldn't drink coffee alongside my iron supplements—at least not for a few hours before or after. For years, I’d take the iron on an empty stomach and immediately brew a morning coffee. She told me I might as well not have taken the pill at all. Now I'm careful about that. She also advised avoiding coffee right after lunch, which used to be a regular habit of mine, since it blocks the iron absorbed from food. Instead, I'll have a vitamin drink and wait an hour or two before my coffee. I've noticed it really helps. Thanks again.