high iron, high calprotectin, symptoms of IBD
Hi all
I an new to the group 😀
My symptoms initially started a few years back with urgency ,passing blood, gas, mucus and loose stools. It lasted for 3 weeks, a colonoscopy found polyps.
I have now had the same symptoms for 8 weeks and I am having a colonoscopy on Friday, recent bloods shows a calprotectin level of 1920 and I have high iron ( was expecting low) . My surgeon said he doesn't think the high iron is connected but my GP said that sometimes with chronic conditions your body starts to "store" iron. Has anyone experienced this?
My current symptoms are passing blood and mucus, urgency mainly in the morning, loss of appetite, bloating, gas ( always pass blood and/or mucus with gas) , pain (which has started to subside ) and an extremely noisy stomach especially after eating. My stools are all over the place and change daily from normal to loose to to small pea sized.I have felt generally unwell and tired.No fever or vomiting.
Thank you 😀
Hi
. It is good that you are being proactive in finding answers and have sought out a place you get information and support. Have you seen a gastroenterologist? I ask because they specialize in treating the digestive system and related disorders. You mentioned some tests (and I certainly understand why that calprotectin level would be alarming). I want to share with you this article from our editorial team on the diagnostic process for IBD: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures and this one on symptoms: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures. I was unable to find any information on stored iron due to a chronic condition, but my research certainly was not exhaustive. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences. Hoping you get some answers and relief soon. Please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing and to ask additional questions. Best, Richard (Team Member) Thank you for your reply. I have taken a look at the links for you provided- thank you, they are very informative.
All other bloods tests were normal other than the calprotectin and iron. My gp was quite thorough, crp etc were all normal too. My Gp did mention a referral to a gastroenterologist but is waiting to see what's the results show from the colonoscopy. I am trying to be positive in that it could be more polyps and nothing more. Will keep you updated , thanks again .
Sorry you are flaring. I haven't heard of high iron before but nothing surprises me anymore. Did you have high iron before? Or is this the first time you see this in your blood work? Are you anemic? Curious what your Red Blood Cell count is? What are you doing to help manage the flare? How is your diet and lifestyle looking? I hope you get relief soon. Rest as much as you can. Sending strength your way, Elizabeth (team member)
Hello, I have never had high iron before. I had to have two iron infusions in 2021 due to severe anaemia ( caused by heavy periods which is now ok, saw a haematologist for a while but now discharged). Past history- endometrial fibroids and endometriosis.My lifestyle is good, although I have been under some stress recently. I have been careful what I eat whilst having these symptoms, lost a little weight but nothing dramatic. I get up extra early for work as I know I will be back and forth to the toilet for an hour prior to leaving for work. Once Im at work I eat lightly and I have been fine. Is it typical that I only have the urgency in the morning? ATM I am feel alot better although still passing blood and mucus. i am unsure what my red blood cell count was, my gp just gave me the abnormal results.She was alarmed at the calprotectin result and said she had never come across a reading so high, Ive since read that others have had readings alot higher. My surgeon didnt really comment on it other than " it shows you have inflammation".
thank you for being here and for sharing your current health status. Having urgency during certain times of day, specifically in the morning, is not uncommon. Do you feel stressed/rushed in the morning before work? Sometimes worrying about having to use the bathroom is enough to make you have to use the bathroom (such a vicious cycle!). Do you eat breakfast in the morning, too?
--Julie (Team Member)Hi
. I noticed that you mentioned endometriosis. I want to share with you this article from our editorial team which discusses the fact that some of the symptoms of endometriosis and IBD can overlap, but also that "One study showed that women living with endometriosis may be up to 80 percent more likely than other women to develop IBD:" https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/clinical/ibd-endometriosis-link. Of course, only a doctor can provide the proper diagnostics, but this information may be something useful to add to the conversation. Best, Richard (Team Member)
I had my colonoscopy today . All went well apart from the prep - was vomiting throughout and was worried I would not be clear but thankfully I was 😊The surgeon told me there no polyps but found an area of inflammation with the rectum area - he has taken two biopsy’s . Mentioned a referral to a gastro is possible but will wait on the biopsy’s results .Do they usually tell you if they suspect IBD after colonoscopy ? So now I await the results …..
I think it depends on what your Dr saw. He may be waiting for the test results to confirm what he will diagnose. I'm my case, the Dr told me as I was waking up from my scope, though a cat scan the week earlier already showed the diagnosis of UC. Severe left sided. He just needed the confirmation of seeing first hand what was up there.
My gastro told me just this last week that the very last bit before the anus and the anus itself is called the SGS...shit gas separator. If there is any inflammation there he said, then you will always have a wet fart. And that area is the last holdout when it comes to healing said inflammation.
