Anemia

[Burninator]

Does anyone know if Kratom can/will cause this?

[MetalMamaRocks]

I had anemia while I was taking high doses but I also had gastritis and never did find out which one caused it. I had a theory that the powder was blocking absorption of nutrients, but that was just my thinking.

[Burninator]

That seems plausible, though all my other levels were fine. Do heavy metals cause anemia?

[e_poison]

Do heavy metals cause anemia?

I looked this up (see below) and it seems that heavy metals can definitely interfere with your body's ability to produce red blood cells. Lead in particular. Do you think you may have anemia?

Disrupting Hemoglobin Production: Lead, in particular, inhibits the key enzymes your body needs to synthesize hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in your blood).Blocking Iron

Absorption: Toxic metals like cadmium and lead chemically resemble iron and compete with it for the same intestinal absorption pathways. This severely reduces your body's ability to absorb dietary iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia.

Destroying Red Blood Cells: Exposure to certain metals like arsenic, copper, and zinc can damage the actual structure of red blood cells, causing them to break down prematurely, a condition known as hemolytic anemia

[Burninator]

I do actually. They did blood work last fall and it was low enough that they put me on iron supplements. Had more blood work done last month and it was still low, but better. This is actually pretty disconcerting given the recent exposure of heavy metals in DTE’s leaf, and the fact that beginning last fall DTE became the only vendor I was using…

[pray4peace4]

Anemia can also be caused by blood loss, so as another commenter mentioned her gastritis, which is gastric inflammation, that causes small blood leaks in one's digestive tract, & over time can reduce the red blood cells. If you've noticed any lingering stomach discomfort over weeks or months, that's likely the cause. Some kinds of kratom irritate my stomach a lot, so it's certainly possible that could be it.

[Twotearsinabucket]

Are you actually anemic as far as red blood count goes, or iron deficient (low ferritin) ?
I don’t know how much DTE you’ve consumed and if you’re concerned it’s definitely worth getting tested. But from my anecdotal experience over 10 years of use, I would say no, because I’ve always been anemic and if it caused anemia I would be so much more anemic. I have needed infusions plenty of times. And during my most recent pregnancy; which is when you’re at much higher risk of becoming anemic, I didn’t get anemic, only got low iron stores. I also have ITP. In short, if it caused anemia I’d be dangerously anemic and I’m not lol

[Burninator]

I don’t have access to my first blood panel anymore but my dr said anemic. My most recent one has me right on the bottom line of normal range. The gastritis comment may actually be relevant. I’ve never been diagnosed with anything GI related but I do deal with occasional blood. Very infrequently a concerning amount. I’ve always assumed it was related to kratom causing you to shit bricks but there may well be something more going on.

Potentially related: before I quit vaping several months ago it wasn’t entirely uncommon for me to get extreme gas pain if I vaped immediately after waking up. Crumpled on the floor more than once. It would pass as soon as I’d be able to go to the bathroom but it was pretty miserable. Hasn’t happened at all since I stopped vaping though.

[WhiteAngelica]

There are many kinds of anemia: Pernicious (B12), Anemia of the Chronic Disease, Sickle Cell, Iron Deficiency and more. The causation can only be determined by a hematologist, and depending on their referrals, a gastroenterologist or gynecologist. You could have what my partner has, Celiac Disease, which impedes absorption of vital vitamins and minerals. Look at these measures first before you look into kratom.

Admittedly, kratom has impacted my hunger--although that culprit could be chronic pain and side effects of my medical condition--but I lack an appetite I constantly supplement through vitamins and protein shakes. Kratom isn't causing it, for my adult life has been marked by my bone marrow's sluggish ability to produce RBC's and pathetically minimal storage, as evidenced by paltry ferritin levels.