Helicobacter Forums

Glad to have found this forum. The forum provides great info on H. Pylori. H. Pylori doesn't appear to have much awareness in North America.

couple of months ago my blood test had low Hemoglobin count, 112. In next test (four days later), Ferritin, vit B12, folic acid were checked. Ferritin was at 4, Hemoglobin count went down to 103. Vit B12 and folic acid were fine.

Gastrologist conducted upper and lower endoscopy in order to determine if there was gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) bleeding, which may be causing the low iron. There was no GI bleeding found. The stomach biopsy indicated chronic active Gastritis, with formation of lymphoid follicles, and H.Pylori present. Could H. Pylori be the cause for low iron? And, I should take triple treatment to get rid of H. Pylori infection.

In the mean time I have been taking Iron pills, Feramax 150mg, to get my iron up. On last check of Hemoglobin it had gone up to 112 and Ferritin to 6. Other then anemia (due to low Hemoglobin) I don't have any symptoms. I am 48 yr old male.
thanks!

Welcome to the forum. H. pylori has been reported frequently to associate with iron deficiency and iron absorption. I would recommend you to get rid of this organism, not only to prevent low iron, but also other potential gastro diseases.

Update on my situation

Went ahead with antibiotic therapy treatment - 14 days. Got checked for h.pylori via breath test
After 6 weeks of treatment. It came negative. In the meantime took iron supplement and monthly
Iron level test. Iron was going up slowly, doubled iron dose (2 Ferramax - 150 mg per pill) as per gastro.
After six months iron is at 33, from 4, and off the iron supplement. Not sure if it was h.pylori causing my
Iron to be low or other factors contributing to low iron.

thanks for the response. H. pylori absorbs iron like sponge. good to know that you successfully get rid of H. pylori. At least we can see that your iron level is back up.