Labs - the thorn in my side

Well I got a couple more of my labs back so now all I'm missing is B1. They misprocessed it and I had to get it redrawn last Friday. Here's what's askew: Lab (normal range) current, previous Ferritin (10 - 291) 8, 15, 26, 71 steady decline since wls Hematocrit (34.9 - 46.9) 33.9, 36.4, 40, 40.6 steady decline since wls Hemoglobin (12.0 - 15.7) 11.9, 12.9, 14, 14.1 steady decline since wls Iron (60 - 180) 39, 35, 73, 48 up and down PreAlbumin (20 - 40) 16.8, 19.1 I've only had this taken twice, but declining as well Vit. A (30 - 90) 34, 30 YIPPIE, got something up!!! Vit B6 (2.0 - 32.8) 13.1, 12.3 got another up although this is still low for my body, I'm feeling the effects of it being lower then what I need Vit B12 (130 - 777) 299, 536.... yup the shots bring me up but the sublingual bring me down... switching over to self injected shots. UGH Vit D (8.9 -46.7) 12.3, 21.5 dropping as well Zinc (70 - 150) 85, 59 YIPPIE got another one up some too Going to the hematologist on Nov. 2.. praying that he'll take a look at the overall decline and say it's time for some IV intervention here and NOT have me try another suppliment!!!!!!!! Interesting Note: I did call my surgeon's office regarding my labs. The nurse had me read them to her over the phone. When she heard that my hemoglobin was ONLY 11.9 (her words) she shut off everything else. She said that they dont consider me in any danger until it hit 5 or 6 and that I should just keep doing what I'm doing and get them rechecked next month and call her back.

Wow, Laurie, sorry you are still having trouble absorbing your vitamins. Did you have a distal RNY? Anyway, I agree - time for some IV intervention. You're still in my prayers. Hugs, Tracy

This sounds horrible Tracy - but I have no idea what I had done. I know I was under 300 pounds and so I should have had the lesser bypass done. I've never asked to see my surgical records, perhaps I should find out though. Laurie

Can you tell me what vitamins, how many and dose you are taking? Perhaps I can help a bit? How much B12 sublingual are you taking? FYI, our hospital is now suggesting that we have a Vitamin D level at a minimum of 30. I've heard from post-ops it is better to be 40 or above. This will dictate some of your bone health and calcium absorption. What do you feel for the B6? I'm not up on that one and the side effects of lowness. Hugs, hon! Kathy

All my vits are from vitalady. I got them after my stroke last year. Multi vit. - 2 childrens chewables per day (sometimes I think to take a double dose) Iron - Tender Iron, I take 3 with Vit. C chewable 2 times per day Vit. A and D are dry form and have to be poured into something. B12 is sublingual, but 1/2 of the time it doesn't dissolve. B6 is another neurological damaging thing, when deficient. Last time I had neuropathy in my right leg and foot (that was B1 and Beri Beri) this time I have numbing in both arms, especially in the elbows!!! Strange huh? My research also says that this can cause irritability, confusion, and DEPRESSION......hhhhmmmm???? That's good to know, so I'm not really crazy it's a deficiency in B6. lol It also says that the higher your protein intake is the more B6 you need. This is probably where I went wrong. I upped my protein last year to 100 grams per day but I never upped my b6. Need to research this one more. It's so good that you have a hospital that is up on the vitamin needs of wls patients!!!!! Just keep passing along the infor. Hugs, Laurie