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On Ferrous Sulfate For Anemia, Severe Heartburn. Advised Tecta, Still Have Problems. Will Tecta Cause Bone Loss ?
Hi, I was put on ferrous sulfate for anemia in Sept. of 2011. Approx. 2 weeks following a 600 mg per day dose, (my ferritin level was at 9) I started having severe heartburn. I went back to my doctor who sent me to a gastroentologist, who prescribed tecta, 40 mg per day. He asked me to stay on this regimen for 3 months. In the meantime I continued taking the ferrous sulfate as my doctor said other iron meds can cause worse side effects. She appeared to dismiss the idea that the iron was the problem. The tecta helped, however I felt uneasy taking it, especially when I have heard concerns regarding hip fractures. The gastroentologist suggested I take the tecta for another 6 months and then return. I started suffering anxiety and began taking lorazepan. I then decided to wean myself off the tecta and lorazepan. I only take them occasionally now. I have discontinued the iron altogether, am taking a natural remedy called Easy Iron. I have yet to get my blood tested to see if this is bringing up my levels as my last test showed they were 13. So, I am still having stomach issues. My stomach feels hot, makes alot of gurgling noises and then I get acid reflux. It appears to occur on an empty stomach, mainly in the wee hours of the night. I am thinking this isn't a heartburn issue but stomach problems, maybe anxiety related. I have had a scope done, ultrasound for my gallbladder, pancreas checked and all looks good. The only thing on my report from the scope said some bile was insufflated from, I think it was the intestine. I am worried about getting Barret's, sleep upright. drink small amounts of aloe vera juice in the morning and before bed. I am feeling unsure about my own doctor's recommendations now as I think the iron was what started all these problems in the first place. She has no regard for holistic therapies so I hope you can shed some light. I am a 46 yr. old female, ideal weight, work out regularly, a non smoker. Lastly, I haven't had a colonoscopy, the specialist felt I didn't need one and said just ,"Pop another Tecta, if I need it." I have gotten a bone density test recently as I was worried about bone loss due to taking tecta, and the results were really good. Thank-you for any advice.
Mon, 1 Jul 2013
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic for the solution of your queries. Following are the points which I can narrate for the satisfaction of your queries.
(1) For the management of anemia one has to continue oral iron therapy till normalization of blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels and 6 months after it to replenish body iron stores to prevent further development of anemia provided that you take enough iron in your daily food. So, please go for blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin level check. This will clear out whether you need further Iron supplementation or not. If it is within the expected range normal for your age than you only have to continue therapy for another 6 months for the replenishment of body iron stores and then stop every medicine which will solve all your problems.
(2) Coming to your second problem, heartburn, I would like to know which formulation you are taking? how (with food/water/milk or anything else) in what dose (total daily dose and number of tablets/capsules)) and when (timings, before / after food, on empty stomach) you are taking it? as this will affect the development of heartburn. Ideally you should take total daily dose of Iron divided in two doses on empty stomach (2 hrs before or after meal) preferably with home made lemon juice which will further increase absorption of iron from tablet/capsule and will increase effect of therapy.
(3) Regarding your concern of increased risk of hip fracture, I would like to tell you that with your duration of therapy (around 1.5 years) there are no clear evidences that Tecta (pantoprazole) increases bone loss and hence hip fracture. Although risk appears over longer time. So what you can do is make sure you take enough of calcium in your daily food. Plus point for you is that you are having ideal weight, working out regularly and a non smoker. So, please stop worrying and just take precautions only :) .
Hope this will help you. Take care.
Thanks for using healthcaremagic for the solution of your queries. Following are the points which I can narrate for the satisfaction of your queries.
(1) For the management of anemia one has to continue oral iron therapy till normalization of blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels and 6 months after it to replenish body iron stores to prevent further development of anemia provided that you take enough iron in your daily food. So, please go for blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin level check. This will clear out whether you need further Iron supplementation or not. If it is within the expected range normal for your age than you only have to continue therapy for another 6 months for the replenishment of body iron stores and then stop every medicine which will solve all your problems.
(2) Coming to your second problem, heartburn, I would like to know which formulation you are taking? how (with food/water/milk or anything else) in what dose (total daily dose and number of tablets/capsules)) and when (timings, before / after food, on empty stomach) you are taking it? as this will affect the development of heartburn. Ideally you should take total daily dose of Iron divided in two doses on empty stomach (2 hrs before or after meal) preferably with home made lemon juice which will further increase absorption of iron from tablet/capsule and will increase effect of therapy.
(3) Regarding your concern of increased risk of hip fracture, I would like to tell you that with your duration of therapy (around 1.5 years) there are no clear evidences that Tecta (pantoprazole) increases bone loss and hence hip fracture. Although risk appears over longer time. So what you can do is make sure you take enough of calcium in your daily food. Plus point for you is that you are having ideal weight, working out regularly and a non smoker. So, please stop worrying and just take precautions only :) .
Hope this will help you. Take care.
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Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Pantoprazole 40 mg( tecta), iron therapy .
aloe vera juice. natural iron syrup.
No doubt natural therapy may be helpful ,but scientifically not proved, so if you want , you can take it.
Now I want to tell you that pantoprazole 40 mg don't produces any side effects like hamper in bone density.
Even , you can use it 1 year without any side effects.
2nd now you can use Apple juice fresh as well pomegranate juice ( fresh).
These two fruits are rich source of iron.
Next best remedy is spinach and brinjal fried in an iron pot as vegetable.
Result of these natural source will be helpful for you.
Sometimes iron tablets reacts in some persons , that's why burning sensation occurs.
Hope I have answered your question.
If further any question I will help.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Pantoprazole 40 mg( tecta), iron therapy .
aloe vera juice. natural iron syrup.
No doubt natural therapy may be helpful ,but scientifically not proved, so if you want , you can take it.
Now I want to tell you that pantoprazole 40 mg don't produces any side effects like hamper in bone density.
Even , you can use it 1 year without any side effects.
2nd now you can use Apple juice fresh as well pomegranate juice ( fresh).
These two fruits are rich source of iron.
Next best remedy is spinach and brinjal fried in an iron pot as vegetable.
Result of these natural source will be helpful for you.
Sometimes iron tablets reacts in some persons , that's why burning sensation occurs.
Hope I have answered your question.
If further any question I will help.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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