I was prescribed Plavix (Colepegrel} when I had a TIA in October 2010.  I have mysteriously now have very low iron and Im wondering if this medication could cause that problem. Ive had a colonoscopy and a panendoscopy and everything is ok.  Also are their certain foods I should avoid whilst on this medication. Thanks, Carol
Hi and thanks for the query, It would be very unlikely that the low iron be related to Clopidogrel. It has not been associated with bone marrow depression. The only mechanism this would have been possible would have been through gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the doses you take are relatively small, and one would have expected you to report a history of epigastric pain or a positive stool blood test (occult blood). Othercauses of low iron should be further investigated, a complete blood count for a proper investigation and characterization of the anemia should be done, serum ferritin levels are also useful. A thin blood film to know the nature of the red blood is important. Rare causes of low iron due to prolonged chronic bleeding like parasitic infections (hook worms) should not be forgotten. I strongly suggest you book an appointment with a hematologist. Best regards, Bain LE, MD.