Hi Marlene
Yes, I do understand you are sharing based on your own experience. I've been on a discussion group for lymphoma for seven years and am familiar with these sorts of interactions and information exchanges.
B12: I will talk with my doctor about those other tests homocysteine and MMA. My testosterone is okay according to my urologist.
Chelation: I scanned the prescribing information for Exjade and Desferal.
Exjade is contraindicated with platelets below 50K. Mine are quite low, fluctuating between 40 and 50. Exjade is also an inhibitor of CYP3A, and my cancer drug prescribing information says CYP3A inhibitors increase exposure to it and the dose might have to be reduced if taking something that inhibits that enzyme. Those are both risk factors for the Exjade for me.
Desferal: From browsing the prescribing info, it sounds like Desferal is more effective than Exjade, and that slow IV or slow subq pump are generally more effective than intramuscular shots, albeit a nuisance to deal with, is that right? I found it interesting that Vit C can make Desferal work better.
I can't find any solid information on Desferal's contraindications/interactions with respect to platelets or CYP3A. Does anyone know?
Paul in WA
PS Someone mentioned SCCA/Fred Hutch in Seattle. Yes, I do have a doctor there as well, a lymphoma/transplant specialist named Dave Maloney.