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What Causes Bruises On Legs While On Iron Supplements?
Question: I am 27 year old female who is 11 months Post Pardon. During my pregnancy I had a normal iron level but my iron dropped after giving birth. I took iron pills for 4 months with only a increase from 4ug/L to 5. However my hemoglobin was normal and my RDW is only slightly high. My doctor sent me for iron transfusions after waking up one morning and finding over 50 bruises on my legs. All my test came back normal expect my iron. I had 6 transfusions over 6 weeks. 2 weeks after I had my iron levels measured and I was at 114ug/L and 20 days later I woke up to 18 bruises on my legs. After running blood work, again everything turned our normal except a slightly elevated RDW (16.1%) and my iron which is still in normal ranged dropped to 72ug/L which is a total of 42 units in less than 3 weeks. What could be causing this? I have to wait 4 weeks until I see my specialist. Thanks so much
Brief Answer:
'Bruises' may be rashes due to side effect of iron supplementation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
I would like to know whether you developed bruises or rashes over legs?
Iron supplements are associated with development of rashes or hives as side effect and I am of the opinion that the 'bruises' that you are referring to are actually rashes or hives.
You can post an image of the lesions for better interpretation.
Normal biological interval of serum iron is between 50-170 micrograms/dL.
At 72 micrograms/dL, serum iron is within range.
In addition to serum iron level, you should get ferritin levels also.
If both serum iron and ferritin have come back to normal range, then iron transfusions can be discontinued.
An increase in RDW is suggestive of variation in sizes of red blood cells which is seen in iron deficiency anemia.
I suggest you to get a peripheral blood smear examination also to visualize the red blood cells and to report any abnormality if present.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
'Bruises' may be rashes due to side effect of iron supplementation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
I would like to know whether you developed bruises or rashes over legs?
Iron supplements are associated with development of rashes or hives as side effect and I am of the opinion that the 'bruises' that you are referring to are actually rashes or hives.
You can post an image of the lesions for better interpretation.
Normal biological interval of serum iron is between 50-170 micrograms/dL.
At 72 micrograms/dL, serum iron is within range.
In addition to serum iron level, you should get ferritin levels also.
If both serum iron and ferritin have come back to normal range, then iron transfusions can be discontinued.
An increase in RDW is suggestive of variation in sizes of red blood cells which is seen in iron deficiency anemia.
I suggest you to get a peripheral blood smear examination also to visualize the red blood cells and to report any abnormality if present.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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