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What Is The Reason For Small Red Blood Cells When Suffering From Breast Cancer?
Question: I was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple years ago, but taking Astrozole keeps it under control. But my oncologist said that my red blood cells are too small. She prescribed iron twice a day, but that didn't help, so she said I need iron through an IV. I want to know what causes small red blood cells. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
iron deficiency anemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
You seems to have Iron Deficiency Anemia that is presented with low hemoglobin level in blood tests, with small size of red blood cells (microcytic) seen under microscope .So the red blood cells in this type of anemia are prescribed as hypochromic microcytic .
This type of anemia can be caused from the cancer itself ( anemia of chronic diseases) or is a side effect of Anastrosole.It also can be caused from the lack of iron in the everyday diet. Iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods.
Anemia is a known side effect of Anastrosole
With different mechanisms the iron the you take with foods or as a tablet is not being absorbed to be used later in the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells.So this implicate the need to take the iron supplement intravenously to fill the empty deposits of iron in body and to produce the necessary amount of hemoglobin needed from your body.Intravenous iron has greater efficiency than taken by mouth by the last one is more convenient for it's easy use.
Hope it helps.Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
iron deficiency anemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
You seems to have Iron Deficiency Anemia that is presented with low hemoglobin level in blood tests, with small size of red blood cells (microcytic) seen under microscope .So the red blood cells in this type of anemia are prescribed as hypochromic microcytic .
This type of anemia can be caused from the cancer itself ( anemia of chronic diseases) or is a side effect of Anastrosole.It also can be caused from the lack of iron in the everyday diet. Iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods.
Anemia is a known side effect of Anastrosole
With different mechanisms the iron the you take with foods or as a tablet is not being absorbed to be used later in the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells.So this implicate the need to take the iron supplement intravenously to fill the empty deposits of iron in body and to produce the necessary amount of hemoglobin needed from your body.Intravenous iron has greater efficiency than taken by mouth by the last one is more convenient for it's easy use.
Hope it helps.Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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