Psoriasis and Anemia?
Posted Fri 8 Nov 2019 16.53 by Dorothy
I was recently diagnosed as anemic by my GP. He put me on a course of iron tablets 3 times a day and I have followed the instructions rigidly (swallow at least an hour before food, no caffeine, milk etc). I finished the tablets last week. I wasn't aware of any symptoms when I started the tablets (it was picked up during a blood test when I went to see him about joint pain) but I now have all the classic anemia symptoms. All the tablets seemed to do was to make my psoriasis and joint pain worse - I was scratching myself red raw while I was on them, but within 48 hours of finishing the course, things calmed down again.
I'm a bit worried because obviously the iron tablets aren't working, and I don't know why. I've booked myself back in for another GP visit, but the earliest appointment is a month away.
Someone told me this week that psoriasis can cause anemia by preventing your body absorbing iron. Does anyone have any experience of this or know if it is true?
Posted Thu 16 Apr 2026 16.07 by Jenny D
Were there any replies to this query,?. I am in same position at moment on iron tablets and feel like want to stop taking them
The link between psoriasis and high or low iron is well established in medical literature.
Iron circulates in the blood, which in turn flows to every single corner of the body and skin.
Some say high iron (overload) accelerates skin-cell production.
Others say low iron (underload) is a symptom of psoriasis malabsorption.
Nobody really knows (yet). But they're getting closer.
Bath University, UK, is doing some fascinating research into the iron-psoriasis connection.
https://tinyurl.com/4hwxfmzj
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