We had a lunchtime lecture for medicine residents yesterday on "The Abnormal
CBC," and the speaker (an internist who does mostly primary care) asserted a
couple of different times that breastfeeding (along with pregnancy and
several other conditions/states -- she didn't single it out but listed it)
can cause anemia.  If I recall correctly, specifically through folate or
B-12 deficiencies rather than iron deficiency or the physiological
hemodilution of pregnancy.  Does that sound right???  I had never heard this
before.  I guess when evaluating anemia it would be important to know if
someone was nursing, but I didn't think that lactating could lead to
nutritional deficiencies severe enough to cause anemia.  When I had a bit of
an overproduction myself, I was almost polycythemic (high hemoglobin),
probably because I could barely drink enough to keep up and so was a little
hemoconcentrated.

I left halfway through the conference so didn't get a chance to ask her for
references, but I'm curious if this is a legitimate claim or not.

-Sarah Reece-Stremtan (medicine intern for 8 more days!!!  When I start OB
anesthesia in November, I'll be sure to share what I'm learning since that
field always seems to be such a hot topic on this list) :)

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