u/bluegewl22

For context, I have been diagnosed with questionable gastroparesis based on an endoscopy (stomach was still full of food even when fasting appropriately) and an inconclusive emptying study (I could only get about 6 bites of the meal down without vomiting but they did the test anyway). I have a long history of iron and vitamin deficiencies that do not seem to correct themselves with treatment, but recently, last week I ended up in the hospital almost needing a blood transfusion my iron/Ferritin/vitD/vit b12 were so critically lol. I am getting my third iron infusion in 6 years next week. My doctors are obviously treating my deficiencies, but have referred me back to my gastero to investigate possible malabsorption or leaky gut as a cause. What is the difference between gastroparesis(possibly intermittent) and full fledged "malabsorption" in terms of treatment options or diagnostics?

I’ve had chronic iron deficiency anemia requiring iron infusions, along with long-term low folic, vitamin D, and B12. One symptom I can’t figure out is my skin.

I get episodes where my skin suddenly changes texture almost overnight. It becomes extremely dry, thin, fragile, and burns/stings. It cracks easily and almost feels like “paper skin” or like the moisture completely disappeared from it instantly. The texture is noticeably different during these flares and it hurts very easily.

I also have strange hair changes where some white hairs grow in thick/coarse and seem banded in color.

Has anyone experienced this from nutrient deficiencies alone, or did it turn out to be something else like malabsorption, autoimmune disease, thyroid issues, eczema, etc.?

For context:

chronic iron deficiency despite treatment

history of iron infusions

persistent low vitamin D despite working outside

low B12

elevated platelets during deficiency episodes

elevated D-dimer previously with negative imaging

I’m trying to understand whether deficiencies alone can really cause this level of skin change or if I should be pushing for more testing

I’ve had chronic iron deficiency anemia requiring iron infusions, along with long-term low vitamin D and B12. One symptom I can’t figure out is my skin.

I get episodes where my skin suddenly changes texture almost overnight. It becomes extremely dry, thin, fragile, and burns/stings. It cracks easily and almost feels like “paper skin” or like the moisture completely disappeared from it instantly. The texture is noticeably different during these flares and it hurts very easily.

I also have strange hair changes where some white hairs grow in thick/coarse and seem banded in color.

Has anyone experienced this from nutrient deficiencies alone, or did it turn out to be something else like malabsorption, autoimmune disease, thyroid issues, eczema, etc.?

For context:

chronic iron deficiency despite treatment

history of iron infusions

persistent low vitamin D despite working outside

low B12

elevated platelets during deficiency episodes

elevated D-dimer previously with negative imaging

I’m trying to understand whether deficiencies alone can really cause this level of skin change or if I should be pushing for more testing.

I’ve had chronic iron deficiency anemia requiring iron infusions, along with long-term low vitamin D and B12. One symptom I can’t figure out is my skin.

I get episodes where my skin suddenly changes texture almost overnight. It becomes extremely dry, thin, fragile, and burns/stings. It cracks easily and almost feels like “paper skin” or like the moisture completely disappeared from it instantly. The texture is noticeably different during these flares and it hurts very easily.

I also have strange hair changes where some white hairs grow in thick/coarse and seem banded in color.

Has anyone experienced this from nutrient deficiencies alone, or did it turn out to be something else like malabsorption, autoimmune disease, thyroid issues, eczema, etc.?

For context:

chronic iron deficiency despite treatment

history of iron infusions

persistent low vitamin D despite working outside

low B12

elevated platelets during deficiency episodes

elevated D-dimer previously with negative imaging

I’m trying to understand whether deficiencies alone can really cause this level of skin change or if I should be pushing for more testing

I’ve had chronic iron deficiency anemia requiring iron infusions, along with long-term low vitamin D and B12. One symptom I can’t figure out is my skin.

I get episodes where my skin suddenly changes texture almost overnight. It becomes extremely dry, thin, fragile, and burns/stings. It cracks easily and almost feels like “paper skin” or like the moisture completely disappeared from it instantly. The texture is noticeably different during these flares and it hurts very easily.

I also have strange hair changes where some white hairs grow in thick/coarse and seem banded in color.

Has anyone experienced this from nutrient deficiencies alone, or did it turn out to be something else like malabsorption, autoimmune disease, thyroid issues, eczema, etc.?

For context:

chronic iron deficiency despite treatment

history of iron infusions

persistent low vitamin D despite working outside

low B12

elevated platelets during deficiency episodes

elevated D-dimer previously with negative imaging

I’m trying to understand whether deficiencies alone can really cause this level of skin change or if I should be pushing for more testing

I’ve had low vitamin D for years despite taking the prescribed 50,000 IU supplements multiple times and I work outside all day almost every day. My recent Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy level was only 20.1 ng/mL, which is still considered insufficient. My ferritin is also very low at 9.

I also deal with iron deficiency anemia and B12 deficiency issues. Has anyone else had vitamin D stay low no matter how much sun or supplements you get? Did you ever find out what was causing it?

Hi everyone. I’m trying to understand what could be causing all of this and whether anyone has gone through something similar.

I’ve had severe iron deficiency anemia for years and have already needed 2 iron infusions in the past 3 years, but I’m still becoming symptomatic and my labs remain abnormal.

Symptoms:

collapsing/fainting

tachycardia (heart rate hit 128)

dizziness/lightheadedness

shortness of breath

exhaustion/weakness

headaches/concussion/head hematoma after passing out

Recent labs:

Hemoglobin: 10.2–10.9

Hematocrit: 33.2

Ferritin: 8–9

Iron: 12

Iron saturation: 2%

TIBC: 564

MCV: 73–77

MCH/MCHC low

RDW: 17

Platelets: 492

D-dimer: 268 (slightly elevated)

Vitamin D: 20.1

Chronic B12 deficiency for years as well

Because of the elevated D-dimer and symptoms, they evaluated me for a pulmonary embolism. I had a CT angiography that was negative, which was reassuring, but I’m still worried because my uncle died from a pulmonary embolism.

I’ve read that severe iron deficiency can sometimes cause reactive thrombocytosis (high platelets), but can it also mildly elevate D-dimer? Has anyone else had:

platelets this high from iron deficiency?

elevated D-dimer with negative scans?

repeated iron infusions but continued deficiency?

could there be an absorption issues?

I know nobody can diagnose me online, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences.

Hi everyone. I’m trying to understand what could be causing all of this and whether anyone has gone through something similar.

I’ve had severe iron deficiency anemia for years and have already needed 2 iron infusions in the past 3 years, but I’m still becoming symptomatic and my labs remain abnormal.

Symptoms:

collapsing/fainting

tachycardia (heart rate hit 128)

dizziness/lightheadedness

shortness of breath

exhaustion/weakness

headaches/concussion/head hematoma after passing out

Recent labs:

Hemoglobin: 10.2–10.9

Hematocrit: 33.2

Ferritin: 8–9

Iron: 12

Iron saturation: 2%

TIBC: 564

MCV: 73–77

MCH/MCHC low

RDW: 17

Platelets: 492

D-dimer: 268 (slightly elevated)

Vitamin D: 20.1

Chronic B12 deficiency for years as well

Because of the elevated D-dimer and symptoms, they evaluated me for a pulmonary embolism. I had a CT angiography that was negative, which was reassuring, but I’m still worried because my uncle died from a pulmonary embolism.

I’ve read that severe iron deficiency can sometimes cause reactive thrombocytosis (high platelets), but can it also mildly elevate D-dimer? Has anyone else had:

platelets this high from iron deficiency?

elevated D-dimer with negative scans?

repeated iron infusions but continued deficiency?

I’m also wondering:

should I push for hematology follow-up?

could there be an absorption issue or ongoing blood loss?

has anyone been evaluated for clotting disorders because of family history + abnormal labs?

I know nobody can diagnose me online, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences.