question: Hello doctor, I am a 50 year old male, who until recently was in relatively good health, other than idiopathic severe osteoporosis and depression. Over the past six months, I have become lethargic, out of breath after very simple tasks, and loss of memory. My primary doctor noticed that my hemoglobin had been dropping over the past year. After more testing, I was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. I underwent eight weekly infusions, which finally got my hemoglobin close to the normal range. However, while my iron is low, my unsaturated iron binding capacity is high at 421, total TIBC is high at 471, and my transferrin saturation is low at 11. Prior to starting the infusions, my platelets had been high and climbing. After the eight infusions, my platelets were only normal for a week. They have begun rising again and are a little high at 502. My RDW has always been out of range and is now high at 17.9. Also, a month ago, my CRP was 1.29, it is now 2.2. I have had an ANA screening for autoimmune, and it came back negative. My stool has been tested twice and it has no blood. My homocysteine and PSA are normal. I am still lethargic and getting worse, and I am constantly short of breath. My short-term memory is not good. I now have a constant pain in my lower back in the kidney area, but all tests for kidney function have been normal. My current hematologist has ordered a CT scan of my abdomen with barium contrast, but my insurance has not approved it yet. I understand that anemia is a symptom of something else, then what is the CT with contrast going to look for? Should I be concerned about the pain in my lower right side of my back? If you were in my shoes, would you see your doctor again or wait a couple of weeks until the CT is complete? What does your gut tell you is the most likely cause based on the limited information listed above. I have attached all my test reports.