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I have had low ferritin and required an iron infusion -is this type of aneamia caused by my MPN?

A myMPNteam Member asked a question 💭
Australia
October 21, 2025
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How Anemia Can Worsen Fatigue With MPNs Read Article...
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Anemia in MPN patients can have multiple causes. While MPNs themselves can directly cause anemia by crowding out healthy cells in bone marrow and interfering with normal blood cell production, nutritional deficiencies like low iron (ferritin) can also contribute to or cause anemia independently.

The key causes of anemia in Show Full Answer

Anemia in MPN patients can have multiple causes. While MPNs themselves can directly cause anemia by crowding out healthy cells in bone marrow and interfering with normal blood cell production, nutritional deficiencies like low iron (ferritin) can also contribute to or cause anemia independently.

The key causes of anemia in MPN patients include:
• The MPN condition itself
• Side effects from MPN treatments like hydroxyurea
• Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid)
• Decreased kidney function related to MPNs If you're experiencing anemia symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, cold hands/feet, or shortness of breath, it's important to work with your healthcare team to determine the exact cause. This will help guide the most appropriate treatment approach, whether that's iron infusions for iron deficiency or other interventions if the anemia is directly MPN-related.

October 21, 2025
A myMPNteam Member

Hi Chris, I was borderline iron deficient for years. You may know that iron deficiency with or without anemia is diagnosed by ferritin level. Ferritin is the safe storage of iron. A level below 30 is iron deficiency. I've never had an infusion. My iron level is in the normal range.I see a sleep specialist who wants my ferritin at 100. My local hemo told me that patients have told her they feel better with a ferritin of 100.
I've been supplementing with heme (bovine based /animal/) iron for a couple years. My MPN is characterized by below normal red blood cells. The ferritin has not helped to increase my red blood cells. I was diagnosed with ET on 2007. Now I am in between ET and MF, per my MPN specialist. Did the iron infusion help you? All my best, Janet

November 10, 2025

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