Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
For A Patient With Crohn’s Disease And Iron Deficiency Anemia
Question: For a patient with Crohn’s disease and iron deficiency anemia, is it normal to see red in the bowel after the first bowel movement after receiving a high dose iron transfusion? I never see red in thr bowl when having a bowel movement, and I’m not sure if the iron cause a GI bleed or if I’m excreting excess iron in my stool.
Brief Answer:
Need few more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor service"
Iron transfused can't be seen in stools.
Transfusion is done in blood and unless and until there is an area from which blood is coming out you can't see it in stools.
So seeing blood in stools is not related to transfusion however in patients with crohn's some times blood can be seen in stools due to bleeding from intestines.
However in case if large amount of blood is seen frequently you have to go for a colonoscopy.
Off n on mild bleed in patient of inflammatory bowel disease is common.
Feel free to follow up.
Thanks n regards!
Need few more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor service"
Iron transfused can't be seen in stools.
Transfusion is done in blood and unless and until there is an area from which blood is coming out you can't see it in stools.
So seeing blood in stools is not related to transfusion however in patients with crohn's some times blood can be seen in stools due to bleeding from intestines.
However in case if large amount of blood is seen frequently you have to go for a colonoscopy.
Off n on mild bleed in patient of inflammatory bowel disease is common.
Feel free to follow up.
Thanks n regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok, so I have a mild hemorrhage of the intestines, and that’s been causing my anemia. I haven’t had a chance to resolve it with a colonoscopy yet, but I am trying to get that done this week at the earliest or in the first week of July the latest.
With this existing hemorrhage, I’ve never seen noticeable blood in the stool. Blood shows up on a stool test, including the at home ones I’ve done, but I’ve never been able to see it visibly.
On Friday I went for the high dose iron infusion and that night, there was visible bright red blood in the bowl and on the paper after wiping. It was like that on Saturday morning as well. Sunday morning though, it was not like that, and returned to its usual consistency and lack of visible bright red blood in the bowl.
That’s where I’m at today. Gastro called me yesterday and is trying to get me in on Monday for an exam and rectal, and then try to schedule a colonoscopy for Wednesday.
If I’m not mistaken, during a colonoscopy if you see any polyps, you can remove them, and if you see a bleed, you can “cauterize” it or something? Is that true? Im keeping better care of myself with diet, stress, etc, but none of that will stop an existing bleed.
With this existing hemorrhage, I’ve never seen noticeable blood in the stool. Blood shows up on a stool test, including the at home ones I’ve done, but I’ve never been able to see it visibly.
On Friday I went for the high dose iron infusion and that night, there was visible bright red blood in the bowl and on the paper after wiping. It was like that on Saturday morning as well. Sunday morning though, it was not like that, and returned to its usual consistency and lack of visible bright red blood in the bowl.
That’s where I’m at today. Gastro called me yesterday and is trying to get me in on Monday for an exam and rectal, and then try to schedule a colonoscopy for Wednesday.
If I’m not mistaken, during a colonoscopy if you see any polyps, you can remove them, and if you see a bleed, you can “cauterize” it or something? Is that true? Im keeping better care of myself with diet, stress, etc, but none of that will stop an existing bleed.
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
