Question:
18 iron INFED & still LOW! Should I start exploring if I have a more serious problem?

I recently completed 18 iron (INFED) infusions over the last 18 weeks. My Hematologist still says my iron is still low and I am like a bucket with a hole. He wants me to take birth control to stop my periods to see if this helps. Should I dismiss all this over bad periods or investigate if something else could be going on? My B12 is very low and my insurance wont pay for injections and this seems to be something he is demanding I get under control too. Any ideals or suggestions anyone???    — Christina H. (posted on March 4, 2010)

March 4, 2010
My blood work is perfect and I take the B-1 dots daily and I take the slow Fe (iron.) Plus, I take all the vitamins my wonderful surgeon told me to take. Good luck
   — FSUMom

March 4, 2010
I had a huge problem with iron before I got it under control. I now take 2 Slow FE pills a day that are purchased over the counter and 2 childrens complete chewables. There is a trick to these. You must take 12 hours apart or the vitamins counteract the iron and you don't get the full effect so I take the iron in the morning and the vitamins and viativ in the evening. I also give my own B12 injection. I don't even use my insurance for this since the cost is so low. It cost around 7 bucks for a vial with 30 injections and anywhere from 25 to 50 cents for the needles, depending on where I purchase (usually at Walmart). The B12 is prescriptions, needles aren't. Very important to also take a calcium supplement. I take the Viativ. About 5 years ago I decided to take Tums or Rolaids for calcium (back then it was ok supposedly) then I started bruising very easy after about a year. Time went on and then the bruising got worse and the skin started coming off at the same time it bruised on my arms. Come to find out, the rolaids and tums don't have the much needed vitamins D & K needed for your blood platelets. I immediately got back on those and have improved 100%. Also important is to make sure and go to your yearly checkup with your bariatric dr. Good luck and I hope this helps. Oh, forgot to say I'm 7 years out.
   — RaMona ForMyEyesOnly

March 5, 2010
Hi Christina, I am anemic,severly, and take Iron, and other vits, from bariatricadvantage.com. They are made for bypass pat, and are fast absorbing and will not upset your stomach like fe. I rec to EVERYONE. They also have liquid and they all taste good. Paula
   — woodiesgirl

March 7, 2010
Good for you wonderful Shelly K- I believe the question was for sugestions not how you don't have any abnormal lab values or that your wonderful surgeon's vitamins is the reason.
   — rgreathouse

March 8, 2010
Thanks RaMona and Rebecca for your support. I am going to try what RaMonda suggested and see if that works in my favor. Anything is better than these weekly iron infusions! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
   — Christina H.

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