You have RNY, you lose weight, you feel great...BUT MONITOR YOUR BLOODWORK!!!

I take everything you list except K2. I'll definitely add that to my list.

Stacy how did I not know this? I mean, I knew a DEXA scan had value, but I didn't realize that my calcium levels from my blood test are not indicative of a calcium deficiency. Another thing for me to look into. Thank you!!!

You need to make sure the DEXA scan actually also tests bone density. I know that some I've seen post WLS deal with body fat %, metabolic rate, etc. I know the DEXA scan that I had done on my own DID NOT assess bone density, and the scan I had at the hospital DID NOT address body fat or metabolic issues.

And maybe you didn't know because as you've said, your practice didn't seem the best at lab issues!!

The Dexascan shows your bone density. You should have the information from that. All the more reason to go back for another one :)

Please may I have a spreadsheet from sparkle Kitty that also has all vitamins that need to be checked??

Your B12 is super high. How are you currently taking it? It seems that you don't have many issues absorbing it.

I took a sublingual 5000. Over the counter a couple of times a week

Uploading pictures on this site is a pain, I know! I can't really tell because they are all sideways. But plug your numbers into this awesome tracking sheet. Click on the link and it will automatically download the Excel sheet to your downloads on your computer:

Link to automatically download the spreadsheet

In general most of us feel better with higher B-12. Over 2000 is very high. B-12 is a vitamin that doesn't deplete in your system daily so you can take it every other day or M-W-F or whatever works for you. If you are in the 1000+ range is good.

Many people get slightly elevated liver enzymes after surgery, not sure why.

So much that. i learned the hard way, way before it was emphasized by vets on general forums.

I was trusting doctors when they told me my labs were fine, and they looked at me like I had 2 heads when I complained of feeling horrible. My doc put me on Lexapro. To help with the anxiety.

Even when labs are still in "Normal" range - most of us can feel like crap when they get low normal. Plus lab to lab may have different "normal" range.

Even now - as I deal with severe symptoms of low iron - shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, RLS like severe pains, etc. my labs are technically "normal".

I am well informed to know better. And I am lucky that I have docs who understand and whose motto is "I don't treat blood test, I treat people" .

First time I ever felt like I do feel now- my docs were telling me that my labs were OK, while I felt like dying or killing myself. A long term vet, whose health was permanently changed because of a bad doc advise (take Flintstones and tums, you will be fine) reviewed my labs and showed me where my numbers were either barely low normal - or even below normal. The items that dropped so much during my first 2.5 years post op were the vital numbers : proteins, B12, Iron, ferritin, RBC, Hemoglobin, D3. Plus I was missing a bunch of labs.

I had to insist on getting referral to a hematologist. After my first iron infusion's series I felt like I could clime a mountain . And i could. Before infusions I had shortness of breath getting up the stairs. I would fall asleep after drinking triple shot espresso while sitting on the sofa. A month after infusions i was hiking in high altitude in Colorado. I could stop taking my anxiety - depression pills.

Since then - not only I get supper proactive with tracking my own labs - but I also changed doctors who are on my "team". Or I am educating the ones that are willing to learn and treat me - not my lab work.

When I see my numbers are dropping I can increase my dosages to prevent a complete fail. Since my first iron infusion series I had 2 more. Every one lasted longer that the previous one because I try very hard to prevent the numbers bottoming out. But I need a boast or iron right now. I need it badly.

I compare my blood work numbers to money in my account:

• barely normal/below normal- is like constantly struggling to pay bills, always stressing, always short
• low normal - having just enough to pay bill and nothing left to have some-quality of life,
• mid range - not only having enough to pay bills - bit some extra for unexpected expenses (i.e surgery)
• optimum - not only having enough to pay bills but also enough to have fun - like travel, and be happy.

My goal is to have my blood work optimal - better than average but not too much to become toxic. To balance all together. IMO -Low is bad - but too high - is not good either, it can be toxic.