Iron Infusions

I'm not sure if this is the right place for a post like this, but here goes anyway...

I had the surgery in 2003, and during my work-ups they determined I had low iron anemia.  I have had it ever since and have not been able to raise my ferratin levels...I've been taking at least three oral supplements a day (325 mg each) since then. 

The doctor finally decided that this wasn't working well enough and has sent me for iron infusions.  I had a series of three, one per week, and that ended last Wednesday.  I'm just curious if anyone else has had this type of infusion, and when might my iron levels give me an "energy boost" of sorts? 

Any information / advice would be great.  I see the military doctors here, and since I had my surgery in VA - the follow up care is less than what it should be.

Thanks, and good luck to all!

I had the IV iron.  I didn't notice any "energy boost," but you might if your anemia is severe enough.

Have you had a colonoscopy?

Part of your problem before your infusion is you were taking the wrong type of oral iron.  you were taking ferrous iron 325mg is actually 65mg of elemental iron and it is almost impossible to absorb.  Hopefully the iron infusion will work for you and you will need to go back on iron to supplement and keep your iron levels up.  Go to vitalady.com and get carbonyl iron - it is called on the site Tender iron 60mg per tablet - take 2-3 daily, it already has the vitamin C built in which is needed in order to absorb the iron (if you dont' take vitamin C with iron, you will never absorb any iron)

Have had the same issues.  I had gbp in 2002 and have been severely anemic for most of the years since.  My lastest bloodwork puts me anemic, low ferritin, vitamin D and Vitamin B12 deficient.  My last ferritin level was less than 0 with low hematocrit and low hemoglobin. 

With some people the gbp causes malabsorption which is my case taking things orally does not work.  I have to have yearly iron infusions, monthly b12 injections and am still unable to raise my blood levels very high.  I take Vitamin D3, sublinguial B12, calcium orally but does not help.  The oncologist/hematologist said that taking iron orally will not help me that taking iron orally takes months and months for improvement.  I just had my latest infusion about 2 weeks ago and the IV took 8 hours.  What I really hate about it is the large does of steroids they give you just prior to the iron.  But I never really feel a boost in energy it only shows with a slight raise in my blood work. So taking oral medications for people like me is just a waste of time but I do it anyway. 

It has really started to escalate with fatigue, just an overall ill feeling, always tired just at a loss of what to do. 

Hi Becky -

I also had Iron infusions and even though they did get my levels up,  I didn't notice any type of 'energy boost' unfortunately.  But after the infusions, maintaining my vitamins and I drink Shakeology everyday for protein and a ton of other nutrients - all of my vit. levels have stayed normal.  Good luck to you!

http://MyShakeology.com/CoachDanielleH

I had RNY surgery in 2005--after having shoulder replacement surgery in nov. 2009---thje ortho surgeon sent my primary Dr. lab results from the hospital showing my iroon levels at 113. I went and had 1 b-12 shot and that Dr. said I sould be fine with no further treatment and that the vitamin D level was an error. After the next shoulder replacement on 12/24/09, the ortho said get your iron checked, you have not lost much blood.Changed from the Dr at "Dr'sCare" and saw my mom'snternist. He drew 8 tubes of blood ran tons of test determined  did not have lopus, rhuemotoid arthritis TB or HIV. But was Aenimic--iron level dropped to 37 Vitamin D was 0..statrded on Iron suplements daily with b-12 shots monthly in addition to vitamin D sup. D is up to 4 after 4 months and iron levels droppped to 27. Whats up and what  type s of test or disease should they be looking for. Aside from feeling exhausted all the time...my body hurts from the inside out. Literally, my bones hurt. I'm ready to give up----any suggestions?

I don't know the answers except I do know that this is a side affect of the having gastric bypass the minerals and vitamins needed daily are not absorbed because it bypasses our stomach and moves quickly through our systems.  My blood Dr. has been working with me to get me improved he has seen alot of cases such as mine due to the surgery.  The only thing I can do is be diligent with my vitamins and keep up with the blood tests and try to treat the lowest numbers.  Of course I am not a Dr. but in my case it is not a disease it is just a symptom of the surgery and something I will have to deal with the rest of my life.  The low calcium and low Vitamin D levels affects your bones that may be why your hurt.  I am considered Vitamin D deficient and was told if I was a child this level would be considered rickets.  I am by no means thin.  I had originally lost 118 lbs and have put back on 40 in since surgery in 2002.