Low platlet count? Post op complication?

I have a friend in my local support group that was undergoing treatment for anemia. As the IV site became infected, she was examined more closely and found to have "low platlet" count. As the medical staff at the current hospital have found nothing they understand as a cause, they are now focusing on it being a result of the RNY surgery she had over 2 years ago. Has anyone heard of this complication? I also am over two years out, belong to two support groups, and have NEVER heard of this complication. Any assistance would be helpful... thank you

She/he needs to have a hemotologist take a look and make sure that it is iron defeciency anemia causing her anemia sometimes things like luekemia/bone marrow disorders mask themselves and go un-treated for long periods because they assume by the simple blood profile that you are JUST iron defecient. And yes i have heard of it. In my case they found my blood work was totally out of whack becasue i was not absorbing ANY iron so my body was not making RBC. Which can really screw up your system.

Althea, I am having problems with iron and making RBCs - so much so that they started giving me iron via IV infusion --- is this what you had to do? do you still do this? Is this a temporary thing? I have been looking for someone who has this complication -- I am sick and tired of everyone telling me to get my protein in, get my water in, get my vitamins in - I am doing all those things --- protein levels are good - but when my levels are low I feel like Ka-ka (by the way, my potassium levels also have a tendency to drop into the toilet as well). Would appreciate if you had any information for me. B

I also am 2+ years out of open RNY surgery. My iron level were very, very bad. I finally ended up having : infusion sucrose venofer iron via IV push or drip. It has been great for me. After 3 treatments, I have retained my good iron levels. The Dr's are watching closely, but so far so good (6 months later). I may be able to go a long time w/o any more infussion. I also have b-12 shots every 2 weeks. The kind of infussion I have had, is newer , can be done in your Doctors office in less than 15 mins, has little or no side effects, and you will feel the results immediately. I wish you the best!

WELL I HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION, IM 2 AND 1/2 YEAR POST OP AND I WAS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM THE OTHER DAY ALL DAY WITH AN UPPER ABDOMINAL PAIN THAT WAS KILLER ME, IN THE PROCESS THEY FOUND THAT MY WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT WAS REALLY LOW. BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON WHY!! MY IRON LEVELS WHERE ON THE LOW SIDE OF NORMAL BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH FOR THE DOC TO FEEL I NEEDED TO TREAT IT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHATS GOING ON! IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING PLEASE LET ME KNOW

Hi All I am pre-op (by a few weeks) and have had a low platelet disorder for years. I suggest you go to pdsa.org which is the premier website and they also have a message board. Terms you will see are "thrombocytopenia" (low platelets) and ITP (unknown cause). I had already planned to ask my hemotologist this week whether WLS would effect my post op platelets. This post was a great reminder how important it is to know these things in advance. Highly recommend your friend contact a hemotologist asap. Best wishes, Fran