Bummed about my labs

I've worked sooo freakin' hard the last six weeks since getting my PIC line out. I'm averaging 130 grams of protein every day. I'm averaging 1100 calories, and never hit less then 950. I was so excited to go get my labs drawn last week, thinking things were going to be looking soooo much better - WRONG!!! Range Nov 05 Feb 06 Iron (60 - 180) 73 35 L Ferritin (10 - 291) 26 15 Homocysteine (0 - 10) **** 16.1 H PreAlbumin(20.0 - 40.0) **** 19.1 L RBC(4.25 - 5.49) X 10*6 4.55 4.13 L WBC(4.5 - 11.0) x 10*3 3.8 L 3.7 L Zinc (70 - 150) 59 L UGH!!!! So according to this, I'm anemic. My ferritin has been going down every month since surgery. I'm taking iron too. I'm also still classified as malnutrished. This is based on the prealbumin level still being low. I really have no clue what it means when the red blood cells and white blood cells are low. Zinc - I was taking a zinc supplement (just in case) obviously it isnt working. Good grief!!!!! Some people have surgery and take a flintstone chewable and do just FINE!!! I've got 11 bottles of vitamins on my desk that I take every day and I'm STILL not where I need to be!!! Guess I've got to look at alternative measures, like an iron infusion and stuff. ICK!! I also need to go see my surgeon again. I doubt he's going to be willing to do my surgery with these kinds of levels. OK, that's enough whining for me for today.... Laurie

Hey, Laurie! I'm so sorry that your results aren't as you had hoped! Keep up the good work with your protein intake and your vitamins. Sounds like you need some more adjustments there. I saw that Vitalady replied on increasing your iron levels and other stuff on the nutrition list. Hopefully those changes will help. I'd also increase your B12 intake. How much are you taking? Do you get shots too? Your homocysteine has to do with your folate and B12 levels. As for your RBC and WBC... Rich who is 18 months post-op has normal levels on everything except for WBC and platelets. They are slightly low. The doctor is jus****ching them and didn't' suggest changing anything. In fact, his platelets have been low ever since surgery. I think the WBC low was newer. It isn't alarmingly low. I wish I could make it all better for ya with the wave of a wand. Best wishes and good luck with your surgeon! Kathy

Thanks Kathy, I know that if anyone would WANT to wave the wand to fix things it would be YOU!!! You're so wonderful!! I'm currently taking 1000 mcg of B12, but I did just start that in the last two weeks. I don't really want to pay to go get a shot if I can keep it up with the sublinguals. Yes, Vitalady has been a wonderful help to me over the last three months. Even just in learning that I can take them all at once instead of spread out throughout the day. She's such a blessing to me. My platelets were low when I was in the hospital and my wbc was a little low too. No one showed much concern about it though. I chickened out of calling the surgeon today. I'll have to suck it up and call tomorrow though!! UGH! Thanks for you encouragement. Hugs, Laurie

Laurie, Awww, Thanks, Laurie! You could definitely give yourself B12 shots. Some of the folks on the nutrition/protein list buy their own from a veterinary place. Seriously! It's pretty inexpensive too. I gave myself injections for 5 years of insulin so it wouldn't phase me to have to give them to myself in my thigh or something. But so far, my levels are okay. I'm taking 2,000 mcg a day. The tablets we got are that size. Figured it isn't going to hurt either of us to take that much. It is great information to know that you can take your iron all at once. I'm interested in my next iron test. Mine seemed to be going downwards a bit and I've been taking the same amount (2 Vitron C per day - which is 66 mg per, I think) since about 1 month post-op. Iron was 77 in August and 56 in November. Ferritin was 121 in August and 154 in November. I wasn't low yet but I wasn't liking the trend. We'll see what my next labs are. I'm due to have them done soon. My protein also seemed to be heading downward slightly. I'm hoping that adding my 3rd protein shake in took care of that. I don't remember when I added that in relation to my last labs. Protein was 8.1 (pre-op), 7.4 in August and 7.2 in November. Albumin was 4.8 in August and was 4.6 in November. I'm really trying to learn more about this as I know you are! We gotta be our own biggest advocates! I just want to see you happy and healthy, gal! Hugs, Kathy

Hi Laurie, You've been thru so much already and this must hit you so hard. So sorry you are struggling with this valley, especially since you have tried so hard to up the levels. What a let down. Just wanted to say Hi and that I'm thinking about ya and am praying for a do-able solution. Kathy gave some very wise thoughts. I give myself B12 shots at home, maybe that would help you too. Barely hurts at all. * Once at a graduation ceremony the guest speaker said " AH ! Adversity...It is the breakfast of CHAMPIONS !"" I hate it when trouble comes but after...sometimes we discover we are all the stronger for making it thru. You are becoming a champion! Mary

Laurie! Whining??? If I'd been through what YOU'VE been through, I'd be creating quite a ruckus! You're not whining, Sweety, you're FRUSTRATED and I don't blame you. Sounds like you're doing everything you need to be doing. It's time for your docs to come up with a better 'game plan' for you. My thoughts are with you often!

Laurie, I'm so sorry you had to be one of the unlucky ones who face these malnutrition issues! Keep trying. These things don't fix themselves overnight! Lori