What's the point of a gastroenterologist?

Ha ha, thanks. I should probably go armed with some DSFACTS printouts then.

You totally should. I just met with one Friday. He had no idea what the DS was and mentioned an old surgery that is no longer being done as the closest he's heard of. Take your facts and maybe a diagram. At least this guy was interested and even sketched a couple things out asking me if that was how it works. Maybe he'll start researching it now. Good luck!

Let's hope he does some research

In the states, in general a Hematologist does the iron infusions.  I think I am about to have them based on my current labs.  I've been doing some research on it.  Venofer is what I'm going to ask my Hema if I can get, it seems to be less reactive than Dextran.

Feraheme is worth looking into there's more in on it here http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/4485613/Which-iron-infu sion-is-best-Venofer-dextran-ferrlecit-infed/

I'm not sure if it's available in the UK or on the NHS... we'll see.

Some providers automatically would like a patient to check for colon problems and bleeding before administering an iron infusion because micro bleeding would cause the iron to deplete really quickly.  This could be the reason for the referral.

Otherwise, I haven't personally heard of a gastroenterologist giving an iron infusion, unless they refer you to a local hospital, because most gastro offices do not have an infusion center in them.

Yes I think he'll refer me on.  I think my PCP doesn't know what to do with me and my vitamin needs and I think they want to pass responsibility to him.

Thankfully I'm on the Vitalady prepackaged vites (apart from iron - that gave me cramps) plus additional K2, D3, strontium and calcium hydroxyapatite (iffy dexa results).

I'm on mega doses of ferrous fumarate but my ferritin's still dropping despite taking it in the middle of the night with vit C and copper.