Iron
The key is to watch it. If you are low, you can take a women's vitamin that has iron in it. Men's vitamins do not have iron, but because of surgery your body may not absorb as much iron naturally so you need to suplement. If your levels are fine, do nothing.
Always make sure you get it checked in your regular routine. I discovered I have hemochromotosis (iron overload) so I have to always watch it even more so than normal. It's really hard to regulate because some tests show low ferritin but some show total iron as high. The treatment of too much is to donate blood.
It's also been my experience that most primary care doctors and even bariatric doctors are not very informed on how to watch or treat iron issues. I even went to a blood specialist that I found was not very informed. So if you are experiencing issues, it will be beneficial to do a lot of your own research.
Great question.
Paul
Always make sure you get it checked in your regular routine. I discovered I have hemochromotosis (iron overload) so I have to always watch it even more so than normal. It's really hard to regulate because some tests show low ferritin but some show total iron as high. The treatment of too much is to donate blood.
It's also been my experience that most primary care doctors and even bariatric doctors are not very informed on how to watch or treat iron issues. I even went to a blood specialist that I found was not very informed. So if you are experiencing issues, it will be beneficial to do a lot of your own research.
Great question.
Paul
I'd recommend a low dose of iron in the morning on an empty stomach. I take vitalady's gentle iron with vit. C (www.vitalady.com).
I didn't take iron for the first 1 1/2 years post op becuase iron was for "women". I watched my RBC drop slowly as my iron levels hovered on the low end of normal.....when I became anemic, I demanded an iron suppliment (Rx)...but found it to be too harsh and constipating. After some trial and error I found vitalady's forumula to work for me, and it's helped me avoid getting an iron transfusion.
Once you're anemic, it is very difficult to fix your iron levels with suppliments because of the malabsorbtion of the RNY (and in my case the DS). So a small amount of supplimentation now, can avoid problems later.
Your surgeon should be testing iron, and ferritin levels every 6 months.
Scott
I didn't take iron for the first 1 1/2 years post op becuase iron was for "women". I watched my RBC drop slowly as my iron levels hovered on the low end of normal.....when I became anemic, I demanded an iron suppliment (Rx)...but found it to be too harsh and constipating. After some trial and error I found vitalady's forumula to work for me, and it's helped me avoid getting an iron transfusion.
Once you're anemic, it is very difficult to fix your iron levels with suppliments because of the malabsorbtion of the RNY (and in my case the DS). So a small amount of supplimentation now, can avoid problems later.
Your surgeon should be testing iron, and ferritin levels every 6 months.
Scott
Un-needed iron can mess-up your liver,...but since you asked, I complained of fatique and My RNY surgeon checked and I was low in iron.
In addition to the originally prescribe post-op multi with 18mg iron, I progresed to 1, then 2 prenatal multi because they have 28 mg per pill. So yea, I take 2 (women's ) prenatal multi a day and I feel better for it. NOTE; there is nothing in the multi-vitamin that is gonna change your gender.
Go ahead, I know I've gonna hear it from the masses,......
In addition to the originally prescribe post-op multi with 18mg iron, I progresed to 1, then 2 prenatal multi because they have 28 mg per pill. So yea, I take 2 (women's ) prenatal multi a day and I feel better for it. NOTE; there is nothing in the multi-vitamin that is gonna change your gender.
Go ahead, I know I've gonna hear it from the masses,......
Although some surgeons will claim that iron supplementation is not necessary for post-ops, most of us DSers do take them. I take Vitalady's chewable Tender Iron (carbonyl iron, very absorbable), 3 in the a.m. and another 3 in the p.m., along with a Vit. C. pill to increase absorption. (do NOT take them within 2 hours of your calcium supps, if any, though, or with any calcium-containing drinks, as well as with any coffee, tea, soda, etc.) .. The Tender Irons are called that b/c they contain additional ingredients to "buffer" them in your gut so they don't cause diarrhea or constipation, btw .. 
Another good source is Feosol, which is carbonyl iron also, but not chewable .. You can get them at Wal-Mart, although they are more pricey in the long run than the Tender Irons.
In addition to your "blood irons" (serum iron, hemoglobin, hemocrit, etc.) during your blood level checks, you should also have a check done of your Ferritin level, which shows your body's iron stores. If they start getting low, up your intake, no matter what your "blood irons" are showing ..
Another good source is Feosol, which is carbonyl iron also, but not chewable .. You can get them at Wal-Mart, although they are more pricey in the long run than the Tender Irons.
In addition to your "blood irons" (serum iron, hemoglobin, hemocrit, etc.) during your blood level checks, you should also have a check done of your Ferritin level, which shows your body's iron stores. If they start getting low, up your intake, no matter what your "blood irons" are showing ..
Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
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