Anemic and low hemoglobin...help !

I'm brand spanking new to this board....so glad I found you all !  I'm going crossed eye'd from reading all the posts.

Its time to get back to the basics.  I'm 5 years out this coming August. Had RNY at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Ohio. I'm down 115 pounds, still about 25 from goal.  Been feeling tired, blood work showed I'm anemic with a low hemoglobin count. Started B12 shots 4 months ago. Blood work hasn't changed much, I just saw the doctor today.  Well the short of the story is, I've totally gotten off track. I felt so great after 3 years or so, the vitamins and supplements got pushed to the back of the cupboard and haven't been pulled out in a LONG time. Protein shakes are a thing of the past.  I eat pretty much everything the family does, just in smaller portions.  I know what I need to do as far as food, cut out the carbs and get back to the protein.  The doctor "thinks" the anemia and low hemoglobin is from the bypass surgery. Though always a possibility of an underlying problem. ie...colon cancer, ulcers, that sort. This has be a bit freaked out. I have no other symptons besides tiredness.  The doctor started me on iron pills, Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg 3x a day, back on the multi vitamin 1x a day, and sticking with the B12 shots every 4 weeks.  Has anyone else been through this?? Did you numbers come back into the normal range fairly quickly?  Doctor wants me to do this another 3 months then more blood work. In the back of my mind, I worry, what if it is something more then the surgery, and I let it go 3 months.

Thanks so much....Lisa

Hi Lisa.  It is good that you are getting back to basics because I bet you will start feeling better with the added vitamins and the iron.  I used to be anemic too.  It does take awhile to get over the anemia, but it can be done.  I still go in about every 3 months for lab work, and it has been so encouraging to see all my lab numbers improving.  We aren't "normal," and I think sometimes that we like to pretend that we are.  We just need to keep taking our vitamins and eating lots of protein. I'm still about 30 pounds from goal, so I am finally back here on the board and determined to get the rest of the weight off.  Good luck, and do keep posting on how you're doing.  Maybe we can keep encouraging one another. Peg  :angel:

Low hemoglobin is related to bypass surgery.  Ferrous Sulfate is not the best absorbing Iron.   My sister was prescribed that by her doctor.  She did not have gastric bypass and her hemoglobin dropped even lower.  I recently bought her the type I take from the health food store.  It is a liquid iron called Floradix and it has b-12 and vitamin C to aid in absorption.  If you find your hemoglobin not coming up, think about trying the Floradix.  It has a good absorption rate which is what you need after GB.  And remember to take it separate from your other vitamins.  I actually take my iron twice a day (split the daily dose in half) to maximize the absorption.  Please work on bringing your hemoglobin up,   My sister had to be hospitalized and she was also warned that if she did not get it up, she would be a good candidate for heart failure.  When your hemoglobin is low, your heart has to work overtime.  Good luck to you.

Well, predictable shortages will  be: protein iron calcium A, D, E B1 B12 zinc so those are what we need to supplement in much larger than RDA amounts and in specific forms.  Fe Sulfate is not one of them, and can burn your pouch.  I use Tender Iron, iron is 80, ferritin is pushing 200.  (Iron is always taken with vit C, never with dairy, caffeine, eggs, whole grains OR any other vites, minerals or meds---alone together for an hour).  But I didn't see calcium citrate or extra vit D on your list, so I'm guessing no one checked those labs at all and you've not had a dexascan?

i have to tell you that my Iron to was low and still is, I was so bad we thought i had angina, when ever i climb the stairs i was exsusted, my legs were so tired and i would get short breath, i started taking the iron and it all went away. I would like to try some of the other products that everyone has mentioned, the only thing abolut iron it constipates you so i'm taking phillips capsuls every night