Newbie Question

I had gastric bypass surgery 3 months ago.  The surgeon is only having me take 18g of carbonyl iron daily.  I am wanting to be proactive and start taking 60mg of iron daily.  Has anyone has issues taking that much and having their iron levels be too high?  How much did you start off taking and how has your iron levels been later on down the road?

I would stick with what your Doctor says to take.  After your first post surgical labs, then he will have you adjust accordingly.  

I think 18G per day is the recommended dose, anyway.  I wouldn't go over that unless otherwise instructed.

I was anemic before surgery, so I was taking more. Have you had any iron level and ferritin labs done? If those levels were low, you should ask him/her about upping the dose. I don't advise people to not follow their doctor's instructions. My surgeon knows I'm a RN and I told him early on that I would be an advocate for my own health, including following my labs and adjusting my vitamins/protein.  And I would keep them informed when I made changes. So far, it's gone well.

I'm over 3.5 years out, and my iron levels are now in normal range, but my ferritin keeps dropping. Every 6 months since surgery, I've adjusted my dose up and now taking 420mg of carbonyl iron.  There are some vets on here that get iron infusions, and I may eventually need to have one also.

I too was anemic when I went in for surgery.  My levels hang around 10, but my iron at my 2 month appointment was 28 and the lowest range was 40 for normal.  My doctor told me to start taking 60mg of iron and if that does not work, when they take my labs at my 6 month appointment, then I am probably going to have to get an iron infusion.  Just listen to your doctor and if you are worried call or e-mail them.  They are there to answer any of your questions! :)