It is certainly not common to have both irondeficiency and B12deficiency anemia together, and along with heart failure. The expertise for your condition would lie with the hematologists who may want to do further appropriate testing to clarify your situation. This is also of concern since if you also have heart failure, any significant anemia may exacerbate your heart function as well. I would consult a hematologist and a cardiologist assuming you dont already have one. David Gordon, M.D. To improve the health of the communities we serve. That is why we are here! What I want to know now is what we gonna do? B.B. King David Gordon, M.D. Professor of Pathology VERY Active Emeritus! and Director of Cardiovascular Pathology University of Michigan Medical SchoolMichigan Medicine North Campus Research Center NCRC Bldg. 36, Rm. 136114 2800 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 481092800 Tel. 7346153638 Pager 3361

Very simple you maybe deficient in both vitamin B12 and iron the two often go together. S Sincerely, Sandor Szabo

A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to Iron deficiency anemia. Now, the question is what and why you are having anemia? It could be due to absorption from the GI system or could be a problem of your intrinsic factor production, or could be due to bleeding, and finally, it could be a problem of red blood cell in the bone marrow. Your health care provider should investigate the causes by sending blood to the lab. and do more analysis. The combination of products that contains mineral (Iron) along with vitamin C, vitamin B12, and folic acid can help to restore your anemia. However, the etiologic factor (Cause), needs to be diagnosed by your health care provider. Thank you.

Both are caused by inadequate dietary intake. Iron deficiency anemia can be exacerbated by menstruation if your are still menstruating. A low B12 level can cause pernicious anemia which may look like iron deficiency. Iron supplements should work . Your physician should also check to se that you are not losing blood in your stool. If you do not respond to these treatments you should see a hematologist.

If you are receiving B12 injections it is virtually impossible (unless very rare disease) that you are still B12 deficient. Have serum B12 levels been checked after injections? What about iron studies and ferritin levels? If these have not been checked by your physician. I suggest seeing a competent hematologist.

This is unusual. You need to be referred to a hematologist. Your medications need to be examined, and you may need a bone marrow examination.

RB Thomas, MD