My breast cancer was discovered in 2014 and was oestrogen receptive. After surgery chemo & radio I was put on zoladex to suppress my ovaries which I took for 6.5 years. I was also put on tamoxifen for 9.5 years. My oncologist said these meds would put me in a ‘chemical menopause’. Over the last 10 years I’ve experienced significant menopause symptoms, especially hot flushes, achey joints, brain fog and zero sex drive. My hair is much thinner and I didn’t have a period from 2014 until 2023 when I had 1 single medium bleed for a week. There was no further bleeding until a recent very heavy bleed lasting from 18/11 to 28/11.
Following this heavy bleed and because I was deemed ‘post menopausal’ I went for an ultrasound and they said I had endometrial thickening and a polyp and have booked me in a hysteroscopy next week.
Simultaneous to this, I have had recurring iron deficiency anaemia for the last 2.5-3 years. I had no history of low iron prior to this. On approximately three occasions my GP prescribed 3 months of iron supplements. However within a few months of stopping the supplements I was anaemic again. I consulted a haematologist who suggested I should be on permanent iron supplements as it was possible my body wasn’t storing iron properly. He wrote to my GP and in January I started ongoing iron supplements 20mg a day.
Mid October I had my bloods done (they are done every 3 months due to other meds I’m on). The results showed my iron and transferrin saturation were out of range (too high). I had been feeling so poorly and fatigued I was concerned the iron was to blame. But the GP and hematologist both suggested I keep taking the iron as my hemaglobin was still low. I wasn’t happy about this so we compromised and reduced the daily iron by half to 10mg a day. I read about Functional Iron Deficency (FID) and wondered if I might have this since I have enough iron in my body but it is not being absorbed hence my continually feeling exhausted, cold, itchy skin, brain fog etc. However my GP was unwilling to speculate why I still had all the symptoms of anaemia despite high iron levels.
Following the recent heavy bleed my GP organised more blood tests which show my Haemoglobin is way too low and my platelets are way too high - the anaemia is back.
I am worried my ongoing issues with anemia could be linked to a possible reoccurrence of my breast cancer/ spread to my uterus.
The other thing my blood test showed, is my FSH is 12.5, way too low to be post menopausal. This is totally confusing for me but I read that some studies have found lower FSH is linked to endometrial cancer. Does anyone have experience of this?
I also developed osteoarthritis since having cancer and the last few months I’ve had horrible intermittent leg pain from my thighs right down to my feet FB. My knees are more swollen than usual too. This is now freaking me out as I read leg pain is a symptom of endometrial cancer.
I’m sorry to sound negative and moany, I’m just so scared it’s come back and I have 2 amazing kids who need me. The GP and consultants don’t seem to be joining the dots. I’m Autistic so I do ask a lot of questions and need to feel in control. Any advice or signposting would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.