Low Ferritin - 15 years post-op

Has anybody experienced low ferritin that is 5 years out or further from surgery?

I've been taking my vits/supps daily since surgery, get blood work annually and until two years ago have not had an ongoing issue with iron until now. My last physical in 2019 it was low, they had me add additional iron, did a recheck at 90 days it was improved, reduced the iron, did a recheck at 6 months and all was fine. I stopped the additional iron at that point (my multi has iron). My 2020 physical in August it was extremely low, I had been feeling sluggish, tired and issues with dizziness and that was attributed to the low ferritin. The dr had me taking iron 2 times a day on top of the multi, recheck at 90 days and it improved slightly, she then switched to 3 times a day, another recheck 90 days later (6 months) and it was slightly improved, she had me start tapering down the iron, recheck again in 90 days (9 months) and it was low so they sent me for an endo/colonscopy. Just had a follow up with the GI who said both tests came back fine as well as biopsies and they have no answer as to why and are chalking it up to the gastric bypass. She suggested I go back to the triple iron. They are looking into the cost locally of iron infusions and stated it would be a complete out of pocket cost because insurance will not cover since I am not considered anemic since its only the ferritin that is low.

Looking to see if anybody has had a similar experience and what the reason/treatment path was they followed.

Thanks!

So sorry you're having issues with your iron. All of my iron numbers have been low and have resulted in two infusions since my surgery. I was lucky in that my insurance covered both infusions. It might be worth a visit to a hematologist to see if other factors might be contributing and be able to get through the insurance barrier. I hope you get resolution and feel better soon.

Thank you!

So far all testing has come back negative and its being chalked up to the gastric bypass. I am looking into a few other possibilities as in the past year+ I went vegeterian and in the past year started working out really hard and pushing my body. I was reading how the hard workouts can cause low ferritin in women. So we will see!

I am fingers crossed in the meantime that insurance will cover.

Thank you!

So far all testing has come back negative and its being chalked up to the gastric bypass. I am looking into a few other possibilities as in the past year+ I went vegeterian and in the past year started working out really hard and pushing my body. I was reading how the hard workouts can cause low ferritin in women. So we will see!

I am fingers crossed in the meantime that insurance will cover.

I started needing infusions at about the 10 year mark after surgery. I see a hematologist but insurance does not pay unless I am also anemic. The hematologist said that due to the RNY I no longer absorb iron from the pills. I still take Proferrin and they help a bit, but when the ferratin is low enough, he orders a transfusion. Ask you doctor to refer you to a specialist.

The infusion is like being give a shot of incredible energy. I hope they can figure out a way to get your insurance to pay for it. It might be worth it to pay out of pocket is they cannot get it approved by insurance.

The difference in your quality of life is worth it.

Thank you!

The infusions cost 1500$ each and they said I need two, I am really not wanting to spend $3000 after spending $1500 on the endo/colonscopy so we will see. The GI is contacting insurance to see about getting it covered so I am waiting to hear back. I asked them to push the fact I had gastric bypass so we will see. Im not stranger to the appeals process so Ill go thru it to try and get it covered if it is possible.

Do you get them annually now? They said more than likely I would need to continue to get one infusion a year to maintain levels.

Annual is a good estimate. I have never needed two infusions and I think one lasted almost two years. I look at it this way. If my car was malfunctioning and I needed to spend $3,000 to have transportation, I would spend it. I think my health is more important than the car.

I would personally get one transfusion and then go to an appeal to get the insurance to pay for it. The difference in how you will feel will be worth more than $1,500.

Also hospitals can't charge you interest. So I would pay that off at $42 a month over three years, even if they send it to a collection agency. Which they probably won't do as long as you made sure to make the monthly payment. There are many people paying off their hospital bills that way or paying a lot less per month.

Several years out I also needed an infusion. I had been having low iron issues prepo, but since then I've been fine. I'm also now post menopausal.

I'm 12 years post RNY. I have had issues with low ferretin but I'm not anemic. Taking oral iron and increasing the dose several times did not help my Ferretin level. I've had 4 infusions over the last 6 years. My insurance does pay part of the cost. I do see an Oncologist/Hematologist for the Ferretin issues. The iron infusions usually last me about 2 years.

Often the specialist can "add on" some other symptoms with the low ferretin to qualify you for insurance coverage.

Hope you get the help you need.

Penny

That is super helpful! Thank you.

I am getting my first infusion Thursday.