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Transfusions and Iron Overload Blood and platelet transfusions, iron testing and treatments

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  #1  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 10:00 AM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Ferritin level

4months back my father was transfused with 2units of blood ( First transfusion ) and post transfusion his Ferritin level was at 1495. 4months later he got his ferritin test again and his ferritin was at 2500 which is really confusing. Cant understand why the ferritin has gone up w/o any further blood transfusion. Is it because he is taking Arnesp 200 every week which is causing this? Any insight will be helpful.

Serum iron - 259 Total iron binding capacity - 295
Saturation level - 88%
Ferritin level - 2500
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #2  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 10:12 AM
Marlene Marlene is offline
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He should be checked for hemochromatosis, a hereditary iron overload disease.

Also, ferritin is an "acute phase reactant" meaning that it can fluctuate very easily. Usually infections or any inflammation will elevate it. Even something as minor as how they handled the blood sample can elevate the reading. But 1495 after two units is high and you should look to rule out hemochromatosis.
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  #3  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 10:29 AM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Ferritin level

Thanks Marlene for responding. Before transfusion his Ferritin has always been around 300 levels. Is hemochromatosis something that triggers after transfusion?
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  #4  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 10:42 AM
Marlene Marlene is offline
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300 wouldn't be that high depending on how low his red cell were at the time. But if it was 300 with a normal HGB level, then it's bordering on too high.

Hemochromatosis is not triggered by transfusions but it can present later in life.

Just to confirm, he's only had two units transfused in total right?
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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  #5  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 11:00 AM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Yes he has had only 2 units of blood.
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #6  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 11:21 AM
Marlene Marlene is offline
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Also, if your father donated blood frequently before his illness, then then the hemochromatosis would have not been apparent. They manage that disease with 3 - 4 blood donations per year to keep the iron down.
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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  #7  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 11:35 AM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Biggest concern is that even the doctors have not been able to explain it well and it makes us wonder if we need to start chelation therapy right away or not?
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  #8  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 12:00 PM
Lbrown Lbrown is offline
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Recently my ferritin went from 890 to 4200 when I had the flu. It was back down to 1420 when I got over being sick. Ferritin is an inflammatory marker and I take exjade for transfusional iron overload which usually keeps it below or at 1000.

Good luck,
Deb
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  #9  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 12:21 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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So ferritin can go up because of infection ? But i dont understand why the iron gone upto 259 just after 2units of blood.
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #10  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 02:57 PM
gramous gramous is offline
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hello, yes ferritin is a inflammation marker... Has your father a form with sideroblast....?
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boyfriend with RARS-T dx 11/02//dx : hb 11,5; plt 870000, wh : 6500//Before fasting cure (13/04): hb: 8,9; plt 2200000; white:6000//After fasting cure (14/09): hb 12,5; platelets 400000, wh 3000.//Now (15/08) : hb : 11,plt : 650000, wh 3000// hydrea 1c/day and cardioaspirin, 1c/day,age: 56 y.
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  #11  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 03:54 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Yes he has sideroblast
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  #12  
Old Tue Oct 23, 2012, 04:18 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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When he was diagnosed at that time he had 21% sideroblast. Couple of months back sideroblast has gone upto 32% . Has this something to do with high Iron? Is that why his HGB has been falling?
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #13  
Old Wed Oct 24, 2012, 04:14 AM
gramous gramous is offline
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sideroblast

hello,

yes, the sideroblastic anemia type increase the number of serum ferritine level. It's a dysfonctionning in the heme system and in the utilisation of iron for the production of hemoglobine.
Infections can also increase the ferritine number.
My boyfriend was diagnosticated with RARS-T in 2011/01, a form with sideroblast, his ferritin level was 933 and iron saturation 90% in februari 12and we have decided for testing a new food consumption. We're eating now biological fooding, no beef, a lot of vegetables, a lot of fish (2 of 3 /week), chicken and 2l water a day. The ferritin is decreased : 650 now and iron saturation 73%. He's non transfusion dependant hemo 11 ( with transfusion, food cannot have any influence).

Hope that can help, sorry for my bad english.
béné
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boyfriend with RARS-T dx 11/02//dx : hb 11,5; plt 870000, wh : 6500//Before fasting cure (13/04): hb: 8,9; plt 2200000; white:6000//After fasting cure (14/09): hb 12,5; platelets 400000, wh 3000.//Now (15/08) : hb : 11,plt : 650000, wh 3000// hydrea 1c/day and cardioaspirin, 1c/day,age: 56 y.
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  #14  
Old Wed Oct 24, 2012, 12:42 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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In case of sideroblast is there a theory which says that iron chelation can help improve hemoglobin levels?
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #15  
Old Wed Oct 24, 2012, 02:43 PM
gramous gramous is offline
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gb improval

There are some theories and some cases where chelation can help (I've a study read three months ago. Normal, in lowest risk mds (low of int 1), It is common to begin chelation when your ferritin is above 1000 but it is not a "light" treatment. For energy and antimitonchondrial oxydation, your father can also take coenzyme Q10 reduced form.
Béné
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boyfriend with RARS-T dx 11/02//dx : hb 11,5; plt 870000, wh : 6500//Before fasting cure (13/04): hb: 8,9; plt 2200000; white:6000//After fasting cure (14/09): hb 12,5; platelets 400000, wh 3000.//Now (15/08) : hb : 11,plt : 650000, wh 3000// hydrea 1c/day and cardioaspirin, 1c/day,age: 56 y.
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  #16  
Old Wed Oct 24, 2012, 05:45 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Do the chelation therapies have lot of side effects? How long does it take for the iron deposit to start effecting the organs?
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #17  
Old Thu Oct 25, 2012, 02:05 PM
Birgitta-A Birgitta-A is offline
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Iron

Hi Vikasgoyal,
As far as I know Exjade (a pill) now is the most common iron chelater in the US. It is important to start with a low dose because the drug can cause high creatinine (a kidney test).

It takes years to develope damage from iron in the liver, heart and other organs. My ferritin value was 5600 a short period July 2010 but my liver tests have never been affected.

I have tried Desferal (intra venous from a pump during 4 days after transfusion), Ferriprox (a pill that decrease my WBC) and Exjade that decreased my WBC so I had a low dose). When I needed 2 units of blood every week the combination of Desferal + Exjade was not effective.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
73 yo, dx MDS Interm-1 2006. Supportive therapy until 2010. Since then positive response to Thalidomide + Prednisone.
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  #18  
Old Fri Oct 26, 2012, 12:09 AM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Confused about if we need to start the treatment

As i mentioned in my previous messages, although my father's hgb is currently at 7 but physically he is quite active and is able to do his day to day work. For some reason his ferritin is high which currently is at 2500 althought he has just taken 2units of blood( 4months back ) untill now. Our confusion is whether with his condition, is it the right time to start him on medicine like Vidaza etc in order to improve his hgb and secondly also consider starting chelation therapy in order to manage his iron overload? Or should we manage his situation with blood transfusion only? We are scared to start the treatment as we know that it comes with lot of side effect. Your suggestions will be very helpful.
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #19  
Old Fri Oct 26, 2012, 03:30 PM
Birgitta-A Birgitta-A is offline
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Iron overload

Hi Vikasgoyal,
It is common to start iron chelation if the patient has low risk MDS like your father. He probably has many years before him. Chelation can start when the ferritin value is more than 1000.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
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  #20  
Old Fri Oct 26, 2012, 03:59 PM
gramous gramous is offline
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hello :-)
There are side effects of chelation (kidneys failure) but I think that your doctor will that keep under control (regular blood analysis with check of kidneys parameters). But for me, the best is your father's ferritin level once more test... inflammation and virus can also caused high ferritine. I sincerely not thonk that level ferritin can so rapidly increase without any transfusion (of two). for my boyfriend from 450 to 933 in 4 years, now 650 thanks to the food. Hope that can help; béné
If you have other questions, don't hesitate.
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boyfriend with RARS-T dx 11/02//dx : hb 11,5; plt 870000, wh : 6500//Before fasting cure (13/04): hb: 8,9; plt 2200000; white:6000//After fasting cure (14/09): hb 12,5; platelets 400000, wh 3000.//Now (15/08) : hb : 11,plt : 650000, wh 3000// hydrea 1c/day and cardioaspirin, 1c/day,age: 56 y.
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  #21  
Old Fri Oct 26, 2012, 05:38 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Thanks a lot Brigitta and Gramous. So your recommendation is not to start with any drugs apart from iron chelation which makes sense to me.
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #22  
Old Sun Oct 28, 2012, 08:45 PM
Bambam Bambam is offline
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I can only speak from my experience where my Ferritin level was very high during a serious infection pre MDS. I was told that it was a marker of infection/inflammation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vikasgoyal View Post
4months back my father was transfused with 2units of blood ( First transfusion ) and post transfusion his Ferritin level was at 1495. 4months later he got his ferritin test again and his ferritin was at 2500 which is really confusing. Cant understand why the ferritin has gone up w/o any further blood transfusion. Is it because he is taking Arnesp 200 every week which is causing this? Any insight will be helpful.

Serum iron - 259 Total iron binding capacity - 295
Saturation level - 88%
Ferritin level - 2500
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  #23  
Old Tue Oct 30, 2012, 12:23 PM
Lbrown Lbrown is offline
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His ferritin level might be lower next test. It might be an idea to wait awhile and get an idea of what the level does on it's own first. If it went back to normal and he was taking exjade, that probably wouldn't be good either.

Deb
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  #24  
Old Tue Oct 30, 2012, 06:09 PM
vikasgoyal vikasgoyal is offline
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Just after first transfusion his Ferritin was showing 1495 and after 4months w/o anymore transfusion its showing 2500. My concern is that it has been high both the times and we aint sure yet if its something else that we aint aware of
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Father 72, diagnosed MDS RCMD June 2011. HGB 5.5, WBC 7.2, Plt 400 Cytogenetics Normal. Blast cell count 2% ( July 2012 ). Currently on Danazol, Ferritin 750
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  #25  
Old Thu Nov 1, 2012, 11:39 AM
Lbrown Lbrown is offline
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It's probably high due to inflammation, not the transfusion.

Deb
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