Low Iron stores for first time since RnY at almost 4 years out

This is a message to all those  post-ops who think because their blood-work is fine  at one and two and three years out, things can't change and that you are doing everything right.

I was surgically menopaused at age 51,  11 years before I had my RnY at age 62, and was not on any iron supplements ever in my life. My Ferritin was in the normal range and stores too, every comprehensive blood test I did after my RnY at all intervals requested by my surgeon's office....UNTIL NOW at almost 4 years out from surgery! SURPRISE!!!!

My 4 Nov blood-test indicates my Ferritin  is 36  ug/L  ( less than 12 is iron deficient)

   BUT   12-30 is Depleted iron stores;
             31-79 is Reduced iron stores
             80-300 is NORMAL iron stores
             greater than 300 is likely Iron overload

So, for the first time in my life, I am going on a daily iron supplement, and after explaining to my GP (who does listen) that I cannot take time release meds because of the RnY ( she has another patient who is banded so I explained the banded patient is "normal for meds" unlike gastric bypass patients...So we decided that I should take PALAFER dally and see if I can raise my iron stores that way...She told me if it constipates me ( common side effect) I was to switch to one every second day.

Those of you on iron supplementation after menopause,  and after RnY,  what's your take on PALAFER daily and have you anything else to suggest instead of Palafer and why?

Thanks for your input!

The Mermaid from Oz

On my home Ontario forum, I have been advised to take Proferrin as it is HEME sourced iron ( from Beef) and absorbed in the small intestine...whcih sounds perfect from an RnY point of view.....

This is more common than you know, as many of my friends 3+ years post-op are experiencing the need for iron infusions. . .  let us know how you progress.

 I had a similar issue.  My blood work was always good but I read in OH magazine that our ferritin levels needed to be checked as well as the blood work that normally indicates anemia.  My doctor didn't think it necessary but did it because I insisted.  My ferritin level was 7.  My doc reaction??? take 1000 units of iron.  I didn't like his response or attitude so I got my self to a hematologist who put me on iron 3 times a day for a period of time and when a recheck showed no improvement she gave me a series of 8 iron infussions.  That was nearly a year ago and my numbers are still up.  I will see her again in June and if my numbers fall she will give me one infusion every 6 months or so.  I actually prefer the infusions as they are not constipating.  The hospital here is comfortable and the staff friendly.  It also keeps me humble.  there are other patients there being infused for some really serrious things like MS and cancer and they amaze me with their strength and faith.  I was 5 years out but probably if the test had been done at 4 years out I would have been low then as well.

Good luck.  

Thank you and good luck with your infusions...On the Ontario forum I was surprised at how many are 3-4-5 years out and on regular iron infusions...seems to be a problem as we get further out from surgery , probably because we may tend to eat less meats and opt for softer types of protein ( definitely my case as I have diffculties with solid meats unless sauced) and the fact that we have less surface to absorb Heme iron from foods in our reduced stomachs...

Am going on PROFERRIN despite scrip from my enthusiastic but non RnY savvy physician who gave me a PALAFER prescription .

Feeling tired and looking forward to winter holidays,