Impact of anemia?

[dripdrypoet]

I was recently disgnosed with severe iron deficiency anemia, the consequence of a gastric bypass and insuficient supplements (red blood cell count 1.1). I am just curious, while I wait for iron supplements to do their job what effect will the reduced number of red blood cells have on diving? Would diving nitrox help those cells that I do have carry more oxygen? Would there be an impact on decompression diving? How about Tri-mix? I do blend my own gas, so I have ample supplies of O2. Would breathing this on shore help with the fatigue?
Thanks for any helpful input.

Ray

 

[pharmguy]

I was recently disgnosed with severe iron deficiency anemia, the consequence of a gastric bypass and insuficient supplements (red blood cell count 1.1). I am just curious, while I wait for iron supplements to do their job what effect will the reduced number of red blood cells have on diving? Would diving nitrox help those cells that I do have carry more oxygen? Would there be an impact on decompression diving? How about Tri-mix? I do blend my own gas, so I have ample supplies of O2. Would breathing this on shore help with the fatigue?

Haven't done my Nitrox theory yet but (while we wait for a Doc to give the gospel) ...

If the limiting factor is the number of cells I don't think that increasing the ppO2 will increase your dive performance. It may help reduce the overall fatigue by improving recovery but without an increase in the base transport system you will have a limited amount of oxygen for your muscles and you will go into anaerobic conditions regardless of the amount of oxygen in the breathing mix. Athletes that blood dope increase their red blood cell (RBC) count and this is about the only way to increase O2 transport that I am aware of.

The good news is that new RBCs only take about 28 days to develop and you should be noticing improvement within a couple of months.

Regards,

Jason

 

[dripdrypoet]

The good news is that new RBCs only take about 28 days to develop and you should be noticing improvement within a couple of months.

Jason

Jason, thanks for the information. I have already noticed a marked improvement in my color and some energy increase after three weeks on iron supplements. I was just curious about the cells. It is a moot point, but I am wondering what else the anemia may have had an impact on, other than fatigue, weakness and mental sharpness. Blood sugars?

I will be quite happy to find out. Evidently I have had this condition for at least 18 months.

Ray

 

[Squalus]

Ummm better call DAN and talk to them about it, I would not be looking for an answer for something like this in open forum. Maybe one of the Docs on here would answer you through PM.