CAUTION: get labs checked regularly

I keep forgetting to mention my labs! So here goes.... I was perfectly normal until year two. I just "happened" to get blood work done and they found my iron was low. My GP INSISTED I try supplements, which didn't work. She allowed my feritin to get down to 2 before, in a panic, calling the hemotologist whom I saw the very next day. This was about 10 months ago. I ended up getting three seperate iron infusions and maintained normal counts for 9 months. The caution is this, I got a CMP done each and every month after I had the infusions. All was perfect. My count in March was 12. I skipped going in April, thinking to myself that I was fine, just a bit tired....decided to behave and went and got my CMP May 10th. My count had dropped to 4 in that short amount of time. So, I recently had another iron infusion. The hemotologist feels I will probably be able to go a year at a time but if not, he will put me at the six month mark for the infusions. I also want to mention that my endocronlogist discovered I had very low Vit. D. This went unnoticed in all of my previous labs. It is a special test not usually done in a complete metabolic panel I guess. I am on oral Vit. D and that does get absorbed so that is good!  At any rate, just a caution to the grads that when you least expect it your counts can go into the tank. It is sooooo important to get checked on a regular basis. I can't tell you how much better I feel since this last infusion. The insane craving for sugar fee popcicles was a dead give-away for me! PICA is really such a crazy symptom. Just wish I would have been paying more attention. BUT, I'm back in line now. Just wanted to mention it....Lbb Yogawoman

Thank you for this great piece of advice. I'm 17 months out and have always had great lab values- but maybe not forever??? Your story will remind me to always be diligent in keeping my Lab appointments. Good Luck with your iron issues. Terri

Thanks for the post. My surgeon is not much on follow up. I am 21 months out, and have had my labs done only once, and then he never told me the results. Everytime I call there they say they will call me back, so I still dont know how everything was. Im feeling fine,,so maybe Im ok. I guess Ineed to have my pcp order a new panel done, eh?? Blessings Betsy

Yes, I have my primary care doctor order the labs...heck, I haven't seen my surgeon since one year out! I just ask my general practice doctor to keep tabs and it works out good, except for the Vit. D....he had no idea what to do about that or even how to order the test! I had to see an endocronologist, who discovered the problem.

Betsy, IMHO it is rare indeed for you to find a surgeon that is not really just a "cutter".  If you're interested in really good follow-up and communication about where you are with your blood work, eating, etc. you should get your labs and such done by your primary (if they're WLS knowledgable) or your nutritionist.  It is very important (VERY IMPORTANT) to have this info. Good Luck, Carla

PICA is something you don't hear of too often, but I have struggled with it as well as a result of low levels of iron.  About a year and a half ago, I developed an insatiable appetite for cornstarch...yes, right out of the box!!  I found myself without insurance and even though i was taking my vites (although not faithfully), it only got worse.  Until recently, I had gotten up to about 3 pounds of it a week.  Despite the surgery, I was able to eat it without any immediate side effects, however in that same year and a half, I've managed to put on 15 pounds!  Thanks to vitalady.com and other grads, I am now taking the CORRECT supplements and will FINALLY get some follow-up and labs with a WLS surgeon!  Even though I still crave the starch, I can definetly tell it's subsiding!  Wacky levels may be at the root of many of our problems, so  I agree that labs are the key to us getting and staying healthy!

Whew! Cornstarch! What a trip, eh? I just read it to my husband....guess my bag a day of sugar free popcicles seems a little more normal to him now??? Of course, needing to go out and purchase them at 10 at night because I ran out doesn't probably seem too normal! I would luuuuuuuuve to find out how/what PICA is all about, where in the brain it tells us we want non-food items. I find it facinating....frustrating, but facinating. We are such complicated creatures! I need to get the powdered Vit. D.....My doc has me on the pills that are oil base and I hear that does very little for a person...so I will hop on VitaLady tomorrow. Do you have any other suggestions of supplements to try? I am already giving myself B12 shots monthly (opps, was suppose to do that today, rats) Would love to talk more with you guys about all of this stuff....but I must head to bed. I'll post tomorrow on a new thread and maybe we can chat more then. Blessings!