3yrs out hair loss iron trouble

I am 3 years out and all of a sudden my hair is really thinning out. Never had a problem all along. Been taking my vitamins and supplement protein but just found out my iron level is 4.6 and should be around 18. Been on ferrex 150 for the last year but doesn't seem to be doing the job Dr thinks I need to take is 2x's a day for awhile and then test again. Any ideas? Just plain tired all the time and b-12 fine.

The iron can definitely be responsible for the hair loss and fatigue. Hope you can get your levels up soon. Be well, Kathy

I started noticing similar problems when I was 15 months post-op (March 06). No actual bald spots, but significant thinning over the crown. Change of texture, too, hair felt really dry and stiff. My ferritin level was 16 in Dec. 05, 13 at its lowest test in June 06. It had been nearly 50 when I was 6 months post-op (5/05). I started taking 2 Gentle Iron tablets daily in August. For me, the Gentle Iron seems to be absorbed well. It contains ascorbic acid to improve absorbtion, advertised to be gentle on the stomach. I get it at Wal-Mart. My ferritin level on 12/1 was 37 and I'm starting to see tiny new hairs coming in over the crown. I also started coloring my hair, as it seemed like all the brown hairs were falling out and the grey ones staying in. If you do an internet search on "telogen effluvium" or "ferritin and hair loss" you'll find more information. Good luck finding what works for you, Sue O.

I am 4 1/2 years post op and have been anemic for awhile. The doctor increased my prescription iron tabs to 3 X a day. That fixed the anemia, but my ferritin level remained a 4 (should be anywhere between 22-300) I was sent to a hematologist doc and received 5 rounds of iron infusions. I go back in a week to find out if they worked. Another one of my friends that works at the cancer center where I received my infusions who is also a WLS patient is only 2 years out and had just finished up the infusions a few days before me. She called last week and told me her ferritin level had increased to 155 from a 3. I'm hoping and praying mine has worked as well as hers did. Good luck. Oh, and have your ferritin levels checked for sure. Elle