Helped Over 500,000 patients with 98%+ satisfaction.

Connect & Get Personalized 1-to-1 Answers from Expert Doctors

DoctorSpring > Question Home

Iron deficiency anemia affecting heart

Resolved Question:

I have an iron deficiency which I receive iron treatments with a port-a-Cath.I have been without insurance for a year so I have been unable to have a treatment.I am currently having problems with my heart could not having an iron treatment affect my heart?

Category: Family Physician-GP

Ask Your Own Question

Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 30 Doctors Online

Hello,

Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.

Not taking Iron supplements in case of Iron deficiency could affect the heart indirectly. The heart can dialate to accomodate the increased blood produced when there is lack of iron. This can put strain on heart and can even result in heart failure.

HOWEVER in your case I feel this is less likely. Human body has the ability to store Iron. Since you were getting iron via the catheter most likely you body might have stored enough Iron now. Another important issue is that more Iron can also damage the heart.

(1) I would like to know what kind of heart involvement you are suspecting ? What are your symptoms ?
(2)Do you know the reason for your Iron deficiency ?
(3)Have you tested the Iron levels, TIBC recently ?
(4)Have you considered oral Iron (Iron tablets) ?

You can reply as followup.Thank you


Patient replied :

I had a stomach bypass over 15 years ago.Following this surgery I began to have gastric bleeding.I have had numerous colonoscopy with no problems found.I My hemoglobin dropped very low which resulted in hospitalization and blood transfusions.I finally found a hemotologist who began to treat me with iron treatments for my anemia.I have not been able to have my blood checked to know what my levels are currently.I have been extremely weak which is not unusual for me but the new symptom concerning me is just walking from my bedroom to kitchen in my small home is causing my heart rate to increase like I have run a mile.After resting I am fine there is no pain just a tightening in the chest.Even when my hemoglobin dropped to a 5.6 have I ever experienced this problem.Thanks for your time


Easy fatiguability and feeling of heart beat (palpitations) and rapid beat are suggestive of low Haemoglobin. Remember even if there is Iron supply , with continuos blood loss Hb can go down. You need to get a Hb value done for sure. A transfusion might be needed depending on this.

As I said earlier there appears to be no direct effect on heart, but an indirect over loading. If the Hb is corrected this can be reversed.

Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followup
Thank you


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

Users who read this, also read:

Make informed and better medical decisions.

Join the 500,000 people who found a smarter, quicker way to get Answers, Recommendations & Expert Opinions.

Expert Doctors at fingertips

Recommendation on next step. Second-opinion.Multi-specialty.

Save Time

Average time for answers: 6 hours.

Save Money

$35 for typical specialist consult vs. $120 for a local appointment.

Free Follow-ups

Clarify, ask further questions for free in private conversation.

100% Satisfaction

Money back guarantee for the 1st reply. MEDNET Quality Board.

Start My Consultation

CHAT NOW

About DoctorSpring.com

Doctor Spring is a novel online Doctor consultation platform where you can get your medical questions answered by leading Doctors. Just Submit your question and rest assured that you will consult a Doctor easily. Once you submit the question, the Doctor from the concerned specialty will reply within hours. You can always ask more questions or add details with follow-up question options and make it an online doctor chat. You may use this service to consult a specialty or for getting medical second opinion. All paid services come with a MEDNET quality assurance and 100% money back guarantee.

DoctorSpring in news