High Hbg, high Hct, Normal EPO, High iron, low ferritin
Hello I’m a 25F in overall good health. No smoking, drinking, or drugs. As physically active as I can be when I’m not exhausted, 5’2 weighing 135 lbs. Underlying conditions include exercise/illness-induced asthma (only take my inhaler about 2-3 times a year), MDD, GAD, very mild tachycardia, and adenomyosis.
The biggest thing is I was “diagnosed” via ultrasound with adenomyosis 3 years ago but my most recent ultrasound (March 2026) shows no signs of adenomyosis. However, I have been bleeding mostly every day (whether heavy, light, or spotting) for those 3 years. I’ve tried many birth control methods to lessen or even stop my bleeding. 2 different birth control pills; Nortrel and Sprintec, depo shot, a few rounds of estradiol tabs, IUD (Mirena & Liletta), norethindrone (10 mg daily). I’ve had 3 gynecological surgeries. 1. laparoscopic tubal cyst removal, 2. laparoscopic excision of (what they thought could be) endometriosis - all biopsies came back negative for Endo, and 3. Retained IUD removal.
My PCP wanted to check my EPO levels but now that those came back within a “normal range” will refer me to hematology. I was taking OTC iron supplementation (ferrous sulfate 325 mg) about 3 years ago for a year and a half when a OBGYN provider suggested with my uterine bleeding to take one. But it’s been over a year and a half since I’ve taken any iron supplement because my levels have been slowly increasing & my PCP said to stop.
My most prominent symptoms are extreme fatigue, bruising, itchiness to the point of leaving scratches, headaches, dizziness when standing or changing positions, and obviously the continuous bleeding with causes pain/cramping.
My Hbg, Hct, platelet, and iron levels have been slowly, consistently increasing. My WBC is always “slightly elevated”. This is my first getting my EPO checked. Does anyone have any insight or know what questions I should be asking?
If there’s any other helpful information I can provide about myself or my health, please feel free to comment or ask. Just trying to best prepare and educate myself for my overall health.