Cross-Post - IRON DEFIENCY IN 4 MONTHS- HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

I just got back a blood report and only have a partial write up (lots of things are pending), but my IRON is terrible!!!!!!!

Iron History
 

Amy Jo Smith  5 - 10 - 1975 Record of Lab Work		Normal Range		2/24/10	5/6/10	8/4/2010	11/1/1010	2/15/11	5/25/10
				PICC (infection)	feeding tube as neded	1 year	15 months	18 months
	Lipid
CHOL	Cholesterol	120-200	mg/dL		185	168	177	201	187
TRIG	Triglicerides	35-160	mg/dL	63	97	105	131	106	122
HDL-D	High Density Lipoprotein	45-99	mg/dL		59	57	77	82	75
LDL-D	Low Density Lipoprotein	20-130	mg/dL		107	90	74	98	88
PHOS	Phosphorous	2.7-4.5	mg/dL	4.7
Mg	Magnesium	1.2-2.2	mg/dL	1.9	2.1	1.9		2.0	2
LDH	Lactic dehydrogenase	135-225	IU/L
	IRON/IBC
	Iron	49-167	ug/dL		67	62	87	119	34
UBIC	UBIC	159-375	ug/dL
TIBC	Total iron binding capacity	250-450	ug/dL		324	375	469	468	427
	Trans Sat		%
Fe	Fe Sat	15-55	ug/dL		21	17	30	30	8
	Ferritin	30-400	ng/ML			20	30	30

I hope you can read this!  I went from Iron of 118 to 34 and a 5 saturation from 30 to 8.  The iron binding capacity it still relatively the same.

I have not changed my iron as I have taken 29 mg daily since surgery, but I did just recently like the middle of May change to a multi-vitamin with Iron in it, so my daily iron has INCREASED.  THe only think that I can think of that is truly different is that I now take Synthroid for my thyroid.  ( I usually take it about 2 - 3 hours before Calcium or Iron though)

I was trying not to panic when I read this, but I am unable to sleep!  I have exploratory surgery on the 23rd, arm PS on July 7th, and thighs & TT on July 27th.  I need this fixed ASAP!  Who do I call...my primary, surgeon (I do have an appt. next week), or the endocrinologist who cleared me for surgery (I have not seen him beyond him signing off for my surgery)

What ideas do you have?  THanks for all your guidance.

Hi Amy,
Just saw your post. Hope you have checked in with your primary and endocrinologist. Obviously your thyroid medicine could be messing with your iron, but it could be as easy as moving your calcium and iron to opposite ends of the day. Hope you get it resolved quickly and good luck with your upcoming procedures. Hope to see you before then.

Maybe your having malabsorbtion issues too.  My iron was at 12 when I went to my doctor.....it was because of malabsorbtion.  I doubled my iron vitamin intake and felt much better and have had no problems.  I use the bariatric chewable iron vitamins as its made for malabsorbtion.  Regular iron can not always be absorbed.  Also check with your doctor regarding your thyroid and iron

I have always had an iron issue since I was young.  However, this time I let it get way out of hand.  My Ferritin level got down to a 4 and my oxygen level was 3.  I was having a hard time breathing and I thought it was about time to do something about it.  After seeing the hematologist I ended up having to have an infusion that lasted about 6.5 hours.  It wasn't bad actually, but it cost me a lot of money and time.  Take my advice...it is much easier to keep your levels up than to try and get them up once they get low.  If you are able to get everything back in check then take your vitamins EVERY DAY!!  It is so much easier.  I actually take the Bariatric Advantage brand and I take 3 60mg iron tablets a day per the hematologist.  It is a great brand and I found a website that has great prices on the iron.  The website is www.mybariatricpantry.com.  I hope this helps, and you will feel sooooo much better when you get your iron back up...promise!  I know I do.  Hang in there and good luck!