Iron VERY Low! Supplement Help...

Hi Guys!

Soooo....last month I ended up at TWH for a week with an internal hernia, ventral hernia and several bleeding marginal ulcers. I juuuust squeaked by without needing a blood transfusion when my hemoglobin dropped into the 60's. 

Im still fighting to bring my levels up. I am currently in the 80's but my Dr wants it to be minimum 120. The surgeon at TWH (who also did my RNY) wants my family doctor to monitor and treat the low hemoglobin....which would be fine, except he knows very little about the bypass and does not know how my body does/does not absorb the iron supplements. 

Currently I am taking 300mg Feramax spread out as 150mg in the morning and evening. It is obviously not working well. He wants to switch me to a liquid Palafer brand, but holy heck that is gonna get expensive with the amount I need. I don't have a problem paying for it if it will work, but I want to make sure it's the right type. 

The next choices would be to do an IV iron transfusion or go ahead and do a blood transfusion. Has anyone else struggled with iron levels after surgery? What do you take...I'm hoping for something with few side effects as iron can be very hard on the stomach and cause constipation. With my bleeding ulcers the last thing I need is more GI distress!

Thanks for any info!

This is a great post for Leona.  She is an iron expert.  

I also have low iron.  Hemoglobin is 124 & ferritan is 14.

I am going for my first iron infusion next week.

A blood transfusion is an "emergency intervention" when one's hemoglobin gets so low that it requires immediate intervention. With yours in the 60's, you absolutely should have received a transfusion. Whomever decided not to give you a transfusion is walking a very dangerous line with your health!

An iron infusion is what is necessary as an immediate intervention that will lead to longer-term results. You also clearly need this - yesterday if not sooner. The poster who told you her hemoglobin is 124 - that is not an emergency, that is low-normal.

As for the liquid Palafer - been there, done that, did nothing. Well, nothing other than stain my teeth, make me puke from the sweetness of drinking cherry flavoured metal, and constipate me so badly every day that I had to take copious amounts of Senekot to get things moving at all. Not a good idea, but hey I'm no doctor.

My best advice - if your hemoglobin is in the 60's you need a blood transfusion. Then you need to have a round of iron infusions to get your iron levels up.  You must be feeling absolutely horrid at this point and I hope this is treated soon!

Edited to add:  I meant to mention, I was in a pretty much identical situation with hemoglobin/iron a few years ago.  I received 2 blood transfusions (separate times) and have been through a few rounds of iron infusions over the past 4 or 5 years - and it works.  I will always have iron issues and will gratefully accept a round of infusions whenever necessary. My body does not know how to absorb iron simply with supplements.

I agree whole heartedly.  

I'm not in an emergency situation. 

Last year, my hemoglobin was in my in the 60s and I had 2 bags of blood transfused.

Karen, you always have great advice and knowledge! 

I feel for all of us who develop such difficult iron issues. You must have felt AWFUL with your hemoglobin in the 60's - I know I sure did! My doctor's office called me at work, had me paged out of a meeting and insisted that I go immediately to the ER for a transfusion. 14 HOURS later I was finally on my way home. lol

I hope you have good results with the infusion next week. It's helped me tremendously.

I did feel crappy.  It was right after my tt and bl.  My sisters took me to emerge and I was there about 12hrs. 

I have many systems of low iron and can't wAit to get infused. 

Edited to add...  I have been taking feramax twice a day as well

Thanks so much for responding guys! If you don't mind me asking, what is the general hemoglobin level requiring blood transfusion? My blood test yesterday has me sitting at 90. Also how do you get started with Iron Infusions? Do you need to get a referral to a hematologist?

Last question....blood transfusions scare me! Is it possible to have my husband donate for me? We have the same blood type.  

Good of to know that I am probably wasting my time/money with the Palafer. My family doc wants me to just keep going like this and test again in two months!! I can't keep walking around feeling like this while trying to keep up with my 5 kids!

Im also having a really weird symptom where I will be sleeping (feeling fine!) and all of a sudden I will bolt out of bed and vomit! Go back to sleep, an hour later...same thing!! It's Soooo strange as I don't feel sick at all. Not sure what that is about, but it's bizarre!😕

If your hemoglobin is back up to 90 and is trending upward with repeated tests there's likely no need for the transfusion. In the 60's? Absolutely. It sounds like your body is replenishing.

The first time I had to have infusions the referral did come from my hematologist. The second time was from my liver specialist. The third time was from my family doctor - not sure if this is usual practice or if they let it go through since I'm a "frequent flyer". lol

I can't comment on the vomiting - if it was me, I'd be back at the doctor asap.

You need to get in contact/referral to Leona Dove at Humber River Hospital. She will tell you what you need to do and will help facilitate any treatment you may need.

Her website is www.theironmaiden.ca

Humber River Hospital
Laboratory Room 4
200 Church Street
Weston, Ontario
M9N 1N8
Patient Blood Management Coordinator: Leona Dove RN
416-249-8111416-249-8111 ext. 8065