Blood test results

With ferritin at 12.2, its time to see a hematologist, though I am surprised you were not referred to one at 15.4.

We all absorb iron differently. I can't supplement. I had iron absorption tests done by my hema of both the carbonyl iron and the heme (Proferrin) iron. All iron has a maximum absorption point, say one hour after orally taking the iron. With the absorption tests, they take a blood draw, check your iron levels. Then, you take your iron. They redraw your blood and recheck at one and three hours (can't remember if they did at two as well).

The results showed that I did not absorb either iron.

Don't make a huge purchase from Vitalady until you know what works for you. You should purchase some and it certainly wouldn't hurt to start taking them. But make sure you get the tests. I take calcium four times a day, and trying to fit in even one dose of iron, was difficult for me.

Do a search on the site of "iron and DS." I made a spreadsheet of names and what they were taking for iron, whether it be orally or by infusions. I found it very helpful and I learned alot.

I might add, that never in a million years, did I understand that there were so many different kinds of iron. I thought iron was iron! It took a little studying and reading to understand.

My ferritin was 15.2 before the DS procedure. It is now 12.20. It is still within normal range. Wouldn't my surgeon tell me if he thought I needed an infusion? What were your numbers when you received an infusion?

Your ranges must be very different than mine. My ferritin got to the single digits, but it won't happen again, now that I am under the care of a hema. After infusions it was over 100. I was going to ask about what was considered "normal" for you but forgot.

It is falling though, and that's pretty normal. Keep an eye on it. It was one of those things that I never knew was so common, despite all my research pre-DS.

Surgeons usually aren't very good at labs. They're good cutters but that's about it.

I will add that with your prealbumin being low, you are going to want to up the protein.  What was your protein total?  Albumin?  How much protein are you currently getting a day?