WLS TOPIC IRON

I am now 5 years out , went for my labs and I cant believe it .  MY iron is low and I have to take supplements .
My internist said that it takes 2 years to show up so I must have had signs along the way.
I did , but didnt know it exactly..
ALWAYS COLD ,,,one sign then the tired set in and craving ice started so I knew then something was amiss.

He did say that most RNY have to always take iron so I should have started with it...NOONE told me that and if your labs are excellent for 4 years how would you know. According to him though, they are still learning about this...SO , thing is he gave me ferrous sulfate 1000 mg a day...KILLS ME , cant take it , moved on to Carbynl which is supposed to be easier on the tummy and he did mention Iron shots or Infusions if necessary,,,,
Have any of you guys dealt with this and what are you doing as from what i understand , it is a lifetime thing once it starts ,,,HELPPPPPPPPPPP
and thanks .
Shirley

I have taken Repliva (iron supplement) which did not hurt my tummy nor did it make me constipated.  You may want to ask your internist about it.
Just a thought...

Thanks Jackie ,,,Will do

My surgeon didn't put me on iron (but maybe because I have had a hyst), but my sister's surgeon does have her on iron.  I reckon each surgeon has his/her own theory on whether we need iron supplements.  I will certainly ask about it when I go for my one-year visit in February.  Though I definitely don't have the symptoms you described.  My surgeon runs a full blood work-up at the one-year mark.

Sandi

Sandi
I had a FULL PANEL bloodwork ran every year from year one ...Actually 6 months out ...He said a true iron defiecency doesnt start to show until after 2 years as that is how long it takes to show up ,,,Some are longer but the least amt of time is 2 years if your taking all the norm vits as I have from day one ,,,So. I dont know..

Hey Shirley.  I go back to my hemotologist on Tuesday.  I've been taking OR trying to take the liquid iron and it makes me  !!!!  If it isn't up (my level) she talked about putting me on iron infusion.  I have to find an answer too!  I'm praying for ya, do the same for me too???

THANKS!

Hey Randall
Will do ...How long has your iron been down and have you tried the actual shots yet.Someone told me about those.
My Dr said that it is very important to get the iron right ...
I am about sick of the pill forms , literally , as it makes me sick and i havent felt good since I started.
Let me know what your Dr says too.
Thanks ..

I take the Bariatric Advantage iron. I am able to take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and have no problems with it at all. I tried other iron supplements but my iron levels dropped on them and they made me have problems.
Hope you get this straightened out soon.

Hey neighbor
Where do you get the iron you take and was yours low as well ..
Thanks
Shirley

Hey Shirley,
I order it from BariatricAdvantage.com. If you do the auto refill program they don't charge shipping. I have always taken iron since day one because I tend to be anemic. When I switched to an iron supplement I bought from the vitamin store, my iron went way down. I went back to the Bariatric Advantage and it went up. I had a friend whose iron was way low and her doctor was threatening iron shots and I gave her some of my BA and it went back up so she didn't have to get the shots. She was not a WLS patient. She just had trouble finding an iron supplement that did not make her sick.
Hope this info helps.
vickie