Strange lab results...help

Hi- I went for my regular 6 month bloodwork. I could not believe that my iron went from 73 to 170! My Transferrin Stauration went from 25 to 58. I do not take iron supplements of any kind. I had surgery May 11, 2004. I am 17 months post op and there has been no change in my basic diet or lifestyle to relate this iron thing to. Everything I have read on the ObesityHelp website deals with patients who have low iron. I have read nothing about "high iron". Can anybody here help or direct me to a place where this is discussed? The really crazy part is that I do have pernicious anemia (B-12 deficiency). But I have had that since 1995 and I self-inject every 10 days. I have noticed lately the injections seem to have no effect and I am extremely tired and lethargic. I have never experience any burst of energy like other patients describe. I have lost a total of 85 pounds ( 255 down to 170). The weightloss has been stalled for the past 3 months. I suspect that something is wrong. I do not see my doctor again until November 18th. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has info on this high iron dilemma. Thanks! Tootsie

Hi...I have no REAL info to give you but I was curious enough to do a search, and it seems the pernicious anemia might be the cause. Here's a link to the one tiny thing I found: http://www.labdat.com/kbase/default.asp?function=tests&subfunction=query&testid=%7BC53697C4-A841-11D3-AA0C-0050047C9DF8%7D Do let us know what the doctors say about this. I hope nothing is amiss (other than the pernicious anemia), but do be sure that THAT is under some form of control. Good for you for knowing your own body well. Hugs, Susan

Susan THANK YOU for taking the time and interest to research this. My husband suspected the pernicious anemia has something to do with it. My PCP doctor said to come back in 6 months for a repeat. She said she wan't overly concerned with the results--but I am. I am self-injecting B-12 every 10 days now. I just am very fatigued and the weightloss has virtually stalled. No energy. Thanks again! Tootsie

I've been thinking about your situation. Did you settle on waiting the 6 months with your doctor? I think I'd fight for getting more labs drawn; the fatigue disturbs me, and B12 deficiency can be so devastating (permanent nerve damage, etc). I'd rather be a whiny obnoxious patient labeled as a hypochondriac than be sweet and patient and ultimately very sick. Do update when you get more news, please? Hugs, Susan