Anemia and Aortic valve?

[dot4toto]

Hi Everyone, I haven't been on VR for so long. I had a aortic valve replacement ( bovine) in 2007 I've been feeling great and doing really well...
I few months ago I noticed shortness of breath when I walked up hills. After a full day of painting I was so breathless I went to the ER. That's when I found out I was anemic. Low iron. That's actually up now. But I'm still anemic. Echo shows valve is fine. I asked my Cardio doc if my valve could be damaging my red blood cells. He said he didn't think so. But did order a TEE.
Question: Anyone out there with this issue?
Thanks for any input you might be able to offer...Tina

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Everyone, I haven't been on VR for so long. I had a aortic valve replacement ( bovine) in 2007 I've been feeling great and doing really well...
I few months ago I noticed shortness of breath when I walked up hills. After a full day of painting I was so breathless I went to the ER. That's when I found out I was anemic. Low iron. That's actually up now. But I'm still anemic. Echo shows valve is fine. I asked my Cardio doc if my valve could be damaging my red blood cells. He said he didn't think so. But did order a TEE.
Question: Anyone out there with this issue?
Thanks for any input you might be able to offer...Tina

There are a few different kinds of anemia. Did they say if your cells are too big or too little or hemolyzed? Usually what kind of anemia you have, helps figure out what is causing it. ( its kind of a sympton for another problem) I would THINk if it had anything to do with your valve it would be hemolytic anemia, but usually that wouldn't be low Iron.

 

[dot4toto]

First they said it was due to lack of iron (iron now ok) Then they thought I was bleeding from somewhere...I've had Upper and lower GI and they show all clear. My doctor did say I was loosing blood from somewhere....