Blood work- ferritin

My PCP wouldn't refer me until my ferritin reached a 4. It was ridiculous.

DaisyDoo02.

Right on!

Each of us has to accept responsibility for not only our weight but to push for our own health care.

I do not know what my anemia numbers were, when I got back on my iron.( why off a lot of intolerances and heavy responsibilities that could not be delegated).but i was definitely symptomatic..with weakness, dizziness, pale mucus membranes. Natural liver extracts are the only thing i tolerate now. I use 2 "00" capsules daily, as long as no gastritis s/sx.

Prenatal vitamins are not a good source for iron and calcium because if they contain both of these minerals then they impair absorption of each other. This is why people look for multis that don't contain iron and then take iron and calcium citrate separate from other vitamins & minerals.

What are you taking for supplements?

As much as I love Dr. Pohl I haven't been back to the office since almost two years after my revision. I get my blood work done through my PCP and she has no issues making sure the ferritin is on the list. Hell I get 13 viles drawn at a minimum once a year sometimes twice. Last year my ferritin dropped to 4.5 and I was referred to a hematologist immediately. I have had two sets of Iron infusions so far, but hope with taking a different iron it will stay or go up. My iron, ferritin, and b12 are tested every 3 months.

You have to be your own advocate and if you have get pushy with them then do it. It is your body and your health. Trust me you don't want infusions not that they hurt or anything, but those suckers are expensive and insurance doesn't cover much of it at least mine doesn't.

I use the iron patch.

I used the patch for a year and my ferritin just plummeted so I had to switch to an oral iron to see if that will work. Apparently I am one who did not absorb it through the patch. I didn't switch to the oral iron until I found out about my ferritin being at 4.5. Finger crossed it is working. I go in two weeks to have it checked again.

Hey Norma, how are you my friend?

I am so glad you have taking matters into your own hands and looking after this!!!

Its unfortunate that a lot of Surgeon's offices/Centres are not very good at post op care for lab work. I see over and over here on OH people who have dangerously low ferrtin and their Centres/Surgeons are not concerned at all.

You need a referral to a hematologist stat. If your Centre won't give you one make sure your PCP will give you one. And don't let them tell you that an iron level of 105 is "fine" or that a ferritin of 19 is "fine." Its not. They might try and tell you that there is some ridiculous range of 5-300 so 19 is in the range but explain that due to gastric bypass you need your ferritin at least 50 and I would personally go for 100. It might take a few iron infusions to get it up. You will never get it up higher with iron supplements. You might be able to keep it up once you have in infusion or you might not. I don't absorb oral iron at all, I use the iron patch and need regular infusions.

Don't let them talk you out of it. Advocate for yourself and keep bugging them until you get it done. Keep us posted and let us know how you do. You will feel like a new woman once you get an infusion. Originally I was very naive on how much our ferritin levels can play into how well we feel. I am so glad I had the Vets here on OH to help guide me and advise me. Iron infusions are the best thing I never did.

Good luck Norma!!

Thanks Daisy! So good to hear from you.. I attribute much of my WLS success with all the advice you gave me in the beginning of my journey!

i will see my PCP if my surgeons office won't refer me. I had a hematologist in the past for a possible blood disorder and found out after the fact that he is my pcp's husband so I feel pretty comfortable asking her if they won't do it. I do need the confidence boost to push myself to insist though so I appreciate it.

You might consider dessicated liver capsules. One company that makes them is carlson Labs, they are grass fed, beef or buffalo caps.. They have worked for me when nothing else- except Foltrin did, I lost hospitilization/medical coverage and it began cramping me each time i took it. so have swapped to this natural . Have been on it for over 2 years and my Iron is creeping up., I am asymptomatic now and color is improving..It does take a long time to do it nurtitionally.

Wonder if anyone has research or studies I could bring with me? There must be some out there.