need help understanding iron deficiency post op

hello Texas crew!  I am almost three years post op RNY and experiencing low ferritin levels - most recent test, a 4.  PCP is putting me on precription iron supplements. 

Have you had problems with iron deficiency?  How have you dealt with it?  I am assuming this is common since iron is absorbed in the small intestine and we RNY'ers have had that bypassed.  Any strategies or helpful advice welcomed!

Ask to be referred to a hemotologist.  4 is LOW, you probably will need iron infusions to get it back up and then continue on with iron supplements.  What type of iron did they prescribe to you?  Heme or carbonyl usually tend to work best with RNYers along with chewable vitamin C.  And be sure to NOT take it at the same time as calcium.

Hi Diane,

I'm going through this as well, and agree that you should see a hematologist. They are the best ones to treat low iron, especially as low as yours is. Mine was a 2 and she put me on a basic chewable iron w/c 3 times a day. You have to take it 2 hours after and 1 hour before eating, and not with any other vitamins. She also said it isn't just absorbing the iron that is a problem, but holding onto it as well.

The other thing is the "time of the month" causes a lot of problems (it's so fun being a woman!). It was recommended that I go on the pill, but I decided to have the NovaSure procedure to stop having periods all together. Not sure if either of those are an option, or necessary, but something you might consider as well.

With it that low, you might want to see a hematologist.  I got fairly low and started getting iron shots once a week and within 2 months mine was normal.  Anyone can give you the shots who knows how to give a shot.  I now just get them 6 or so times a year and have had great bloodwork levels with the shots.

Karla

I went through the same thing-very severe iron deficiency in 2006 and 2007. It went undiagnosed for a long time which compounded the problem. I ended up having iron infusions follwed by daily oral iron. My physician had me on Tandem iron supplements which I purchased at Walgreens from the pharmacy. I saw an oncologist for the iron infusions. I haven't had an issue with iron defficiency since.

 Iron infusions = NO FUN!!! Went through a series of them as my iron was at a 4 and even with 5 weeks of infusions (once a week) it only went up to a 10.2 but hey... thats better than sitting at a 4.   I'm ready to see what my next levels are.

Good Luck Diane... take what you need and follow the orders.  

I agree with the other posts. I let mine go several years unchecked. They wanted to do the infusions but I passed and went with x2 feosol (brand) .65mg ferrous sulfate. Per. My pcp told me the same thing the other post said concerning not taking the iron w/vitamins because it inhibits absorption. She did tell me to take it with oj or something else acidic (no tea). The explanation I got was my red blood cells were actually changing shape, hence my body aches and fatigue. It made a believer of me. It took 9 months to get it normal so I'm on 1 a day now and also back on regular b-12 shots, calcium, and vitamin D. I will not let this occur again!