Iron deficiency anemia.

Hello everybody,

I just have a quick question regarding Iron infusions and/or B-12 injections.

I'm severely anemic (have been for a few years now) and my doctor has me on liquid iron supplements.  I take that as prescribed, but am still anemic.  I'm considering asking him about getting an iron infusion.  Is this a good idea?

I'm curious if any other VSG'ers have had an iron infusion and how it went.  Did it help?  How long did the results last?  Would you recommend it? 

Also, has anyone been low in B-12?  Is this common among VSG'ers?  How did you deal with the deficiency?  Did you get B-12 injections, and if yes, did it help?

Thank you so much in advance, I appreciate any advice or opinions you may have on this.

I'm tired or feeling tired! 

Thanks again.

By all means, ask your doctor what else you can do to boost your iron. S/he is the expert and there for medical opinions! :)

My B-12 was low soon after surgery. I started taking a dissolvable B-12 tablet with the rest of my vitamins and that got me back to normal levels.

I've also struggled with lower iron levels and still have to take oral supplements 2-3 times per week.  I can't address iron infusions as I've never been low enough to need one. 

As for B-12, supposedly all VSGers need to supplement but I've never been low on this vitamin.  In fact, when I took a B-12 supplement on my own my B-12 came back super, super high.  I've been able to keep my B-12 in the middle of normal range for the last two years without any additional supplementation.  

Since I've never been a fan of large portions of meat, even before my surgery, I've been taking oral B-12 supplements for years, and my bloodwork shows I'm in a good range. To my surprise (I'm in my 60s and well past menopause), my iron levels tested low after my surgery, so I now take a chewable iron supplement. 

How common is this among sleevers? I can only tell you about my own experience.

psychoticparrot

something my hubby found out when he had cancer is that some ppi and h2blockers prevent the absorption of iron and calcium

\ most of us are on 1 of these