[A case of iron deficiency anemia in which iron absorption increased after Helicobacter pylori eradication]

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman with iron deficiency anemia (Hb 8.1 g/dl) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated enlarged fold gastritis underwent successful H. pylori eradication. Hemoglobin, serum iron concentrations, and other indices of iron deficiency anemia reached almost normal levels 10 to 16 months after the first eradication treatment. Iron absorption tests and measurements of basal acid output were performed before and after eradication therapy. Iron absorption almost doubled within 3.5 months, whereas basal acid output was nothing but it increased after 15 months. Therefore, it was suggested that the increase in iron absorption was possibly involved in improvement of iron deficiency anemia after H. pylori eradication therapy. Furthermore, it was also suggested that mechanisms other than increase in acid secretion might be involved in increase in iron absorption.