Wait 1 year for labs to check vitamin levels???

Hi everyone ... I was recently told by my surgeons NP that they won't order labs to check for vitamin deficiency until the 1 year anniversary. She said it takes that long for deficiencies to show up. That seems counter to everything I've read and way too long to wait and see if there's a problem. What is your experience with this? I think I'm going to have my PCP go ahead and order them anyway at my next appointment. I need your feedback!!!! Thanks!

Deficiencies don't show up during the first year.  If you take your vitamins they may never show up.

If they checked all your levels before surgery to see if they were ok, and they were, there shouldn't be an issue before the one year mark.

OK levels is a little vague, though. If something was on the very low end of normal before surgery, it can get low before a year passes. That's why it's vital for us to keep track of our labs ourselves, and not count on doctors to do it.

You could always ask your PCP to do labwork. Eventually, they will be the ones to follow that. After a year or two, there really isn't a need to see a surgeon unless there is a surgical issue.

Proceed with caution if you ask PCP to order labs to check vitamin levels. Insurance may not cover labs to check levels if not warranted and these tests are expensive! Are you having any symptoms of deficiencies?

I'm not having any symptoms that I know of but had a six week period when I was throwing up so much that I got very little nutrition, including supplements. I don't think they did labs for vitamin levels prior to surgery, I keep copies of everything. I have been anemic for years and I know my thyroid levels were low preoperatively. I get monthly b12 injections so I'm not worried about that. But I am concerned that I had that 6-8 week stretch where I wasn't keeping much down.

My doctor ran my labs at 1 month post-op, it had only been 10 weeks since they had been run for the pre-op work up.  My pre-op numbers were perfect.  Several of the 1 month post-op numbers tanked.  My B1 levels were very low and needed supplementation immediately, and it was identified that I likely had a blocked bile duct and a bad gallbladder.  My vitamin D went down and my cholesterol went up 35 points, although the latter issues are likely attributed to the gallbladder issue.  I think there's value in staying on top of your labs.  

My surgeon has checked mine a couple of times since May. My iron has been low and my B-12. Vitamin D was low once too. 

I think a year is too long but that's just my own experience. 

I had labs checked at 3 months post op and I'm getting ready to have them done again for the 6 month check. My surgeon does every 3 mo. for the 1st year then yearly if there have been no problems. My 1st check were improved from the pre op draw.

I had mine done every 3 months the first year, and there were things that needed adjusting.... just my experience.

I had a stricture and had vomited everything for about 3-4 weeks.  I really think that's what caused my B1 levels to go down so much so quickly.  Thiamine deficiency can be very serious.