Protein levels (labs enclosed)

Looks like my protein level is not heading south anymore. I was seeing a downward trend in my labs from surgery. And guess what caused the increase from November to now? You got it, that's when I added the 3rd protein shake in each day! Protein: (lab range 6.0-8.3) 12/2004 (Consult): 7.5 04/2005 (After low-carb pre-op diet): 8.1 08/2005 (3 months post-op): 7.4 11/2005 (6 months post-op): 7.2 03/2006 (9 months post-op): 7.5 Albumin: (lab range 3.5-4.9) 12/2004 (Consult): 4.4 04/2005 (After low-carb pre-op diet): 4.8 08/2005 (3 months post-op): 4.8 11/2005 (6 months post-op): 4.6 03/2006 (9 months post-op): 4.6 I didn't get a full set of labs done in March. Just what my endo did and it happened to include the protein and albumin. I see my PCP on Thursday. My surgeon said he could wait for my 1 year to do the full set of labs. But... I want my PCP to test my Iron, Ferritin, TIBC and % Saturation (all have to deal with iron levels). That was on a downward trend but I didn't really change anything for that so I'm curious. I also am going to ask her to check a few of the B vitamins due to some neuropathy issues I seem to have which I thought were due to the drop in calcium from my most recent surgery. How is everyone else doing? Do you get your labs checked? How often? Are you getting copies of your labs? I'm determined to make sure that I'm well looked after and I'm learning what lab tests mean and such. I keep them in a spreadsheet. Remember, you gotta be your own advocate! Kathy

Kathy, I just had a full set of 9 month post op labs. I have not seen them yet, but, I received a voice mail that says they look great. I am calling today to see if they will send me one. I also like to keep a close eye on them. My doctor does full labs every 3 months. She doesn't mess around! Lori

My doc too, Lori, every 3 months the first year. But since I just had pre-op bloodwork and other stuff due to recent surgery my surgeon said "Eh, lets wait til 12 months" since it is just 2 months away now. I have copies of some of the recent bloodwork so I know that certain things are just fine and dandy but I definitely want a few things checked. My regular doc will probably be fine with that. Rich now goes every 6 months for complete labs but he is further out than moi. I think after 1 year... my surgeon/PCP go to 6 month labs. Honestly, I'd prefer more regular than that but hey... that's me. Kathy

Kathy, I just have a question, can you have too much protein? What happens if you do? What about too little protein? What happens then? Okay so a few questions... Candy

Candy, I am sure there is an extreme where you can get too much protein but I think that number is so far out there that it would be really hard for us to reach it. (Some bodybuilders intake 300-400 grams a day) I think the ramifications of too much protein are that it would be hard on your kidneys. I know some post-ops that probably intake 150 grams of protein a day from shakes PLUS what they intake from food. Remember, we don't absorb all that we take in and no one can really tell us how much we absorb since each of our plumbing is different. I believe that the RDA is .38 grams per pound of weight. That means that I need just over 60 grams a day. But given that I'm a gastric bypass post-op and don't absorb all that I take in... I probably need more than that. My usual intake is 100 grams from shakes plus what I eat. Not sure of the total. My blood values are back to what they were pre-op so I think I've found what seems to work for me and my body. There are some long-term post-ops that seem to have done very well getting their protein from food and don't use shakes. My surgeon happens to be one who believes in shakes for life. The ramification of not enough protein is basically malnutrition. Your body would start digesting muscle to get the fuel it needs. So there would be loss of precious muscle tissue. Remember, the heart is a muscle so long term malnutrition is a serious matter. Obviously having your blood values checked periodically is how to keep an eye on where you are at and is very important. I know that some folks see drops in protein levels early on post-op and others don't see the issues until they are further out post-op by couple of years. I think the problems are with folks that don't get their blood tested periodically so they don't know that they are deficient until they have problems then they have to try to rebuild and catch up. I think the key is having periodic blood tests (I think after 1 year my doc does them every 6 months) to see where you are at and make sure that your diet is focused on protein whether you use protein supplements or not. I really recommend getting copies of your blood tests and even if you do not understand the numbers... compare tests from one period to the other and see if things are headed downward. If they are, act on them. For me... I saw that my protein levels were down after surgery and then the next 3 months...they were down again. Mind you they were still in normal range but there was a trend there. So I added an additional protein shake and now my levels 3 months later are back to what they were. Hope that makes sense! Kathy

Too much protein??? hhmmm, that thought has never crossed my mind before. I'm taking in 130 grams per day and my protein levels are still low (coming up but very very slowly). Guess I mal absorb more then the average rny patient. I'd say that you should let your labs determine what you need. If they start declining, up it a little - don't wait until your in the "low" range. It's easier to turn a ship by making a bunch of little turns then to have to make a sharp turn all at once!! If you find your labs saying that your protein levels is high then cut back slightly on your daily intake. Hugs, Laurie