All You Iron Infusion Patients S/P Gastric Bypass...

When did the M.D. determine you needed iron infusions?
What labs were low and how low did they become?
Did you try an iron supplement (or any kind of supplement) prior to beginning iron infusions?
If you tried an iron supplement (or any kind of supplement), which one and for how long?
Just curious for answers.
Thank you for any/all help.
Jackie

Jackie even tho I did iron infusion pre gastric bypass I did the whole 9 yards of test and tx's.  I had 2 bone marrow, all kinds of labs and upper and lower GI's.  I tried the po mes, injections and then as a last resort the infusions.  What my hematologist looked at was several things on my CBC, but the one he kept going back to was MCV.  Also I watch my platelet count closely as it tripled when I was severly anemic.  Hope that this helps you some, even tho I did the infusions pre WLS.

Thank you Louise. 

Jackie,
You are not going to believe this but my labs last summe said I was VERY iron deficient. I had stopped taking my multi-vitamin (flintstones, but they have always worked)and I was very close to an infusion, but the doc had me taking bariatric advantage iron pills 4 times a day.

They made me sick!! Without doctors advice I started taking twice my Flintstones. In February my iron was sky high and doc made me cut it back down to 1 flintstone.

I've heard so many negative things about flintstones, but I was fine till I quit taking them and I got better taking them, and I'm still doing good. Not pushing them...by any means! Just take a breather and maybe go back to what you learned so many years ago if you need to. I did. I thought I didn't need any supplements. Plus I was going thru a lot in my life and quite frankly just forgot to take my vitamins.

Love you, Girl! I hope everything goes well

Love you too...and thanks! 

Jackie,  my Ferritin level was a 4 when they gave me the iron infusion.  I always make sure to ask my PCP to keep a check on my Ferritin level ever since.  It's been a few years since I've had the infusion with no need for it since that time.  I still take a daily iron pill.  All is good. 

Love you and thanks for thinking of me.

Loretta

Thank you Loretta for your response.  It is helpful. 

 I had to have an iron infusion after my bypass. June 20,2011 bypass I felt very tired and had infusion 10/16/2011. Im still weak and tired and I want to know how long does it take for the iron to make me feel better>           janet

My labs have always been pretty good since RNY until this last time. I have been on the low side of normal since surgery. When my pcp checked my labs this year, my ferretin was 4, taking a multivitamin w/iron on a regular basis. He added an iron tablet, slow fe and we waited 6 weeks. My level had only come up to 6. My pcp made and appointment w/the hematologist who did additional lab work. I went to the hematologist this past thursday, he is sending me for an infusion on friday of next week. He wants to get my iron up to over 300 with the infusion and check it again in 3 months to see how it is holding. He is pretty sure that my body simply isn't absorbing the iron. If my levels hold, without dropping very much during the 3 months he is turning me back over to my pcp for blood tests every 3 months. The hematologist said if he can get my ferretin over 300 and hold it there for about 6 months, he feels I may need only one infusion per year. Only time will tell!