ferritin

I had my ferritin level tested and it came back 9  (20-150)  normal.  I read somewhere that wls  can cause this, I can't find it on the site anymore.  I'm looking  for info about this.  Thank you for any info you can give me.  Oceans of Love Marie

here is what I have experinced.... many post WLS patients are having troubles keeping their Ferritin (iron) levels between 20 and (I was told) 400 or 450 for the top number. The current theory is that the section of bowel that is bypassed is the section of bowel that asorbs iron from our foods.  The only way to maintain the correct  levels of iron in our blood is to have iron infusions. I go to the University of Wisconsin every 90 days and have my iron levels checked.  In January my ferritin level was 9 and I had an iron infusion.  90 days later my ferritin level was 350.  90 more days later my ferritin level has dropped to 175.  Based on these number the U of W thinks I will require an iron infusion twice a year to keep my levels in the "normal" range.  I have another iron level check scheduled for next month and based on my past numbers they allready have a spot reserved  for me to have an infusion since I drive close to 100 miles one way for my apointments. I am also told that there is a great debate if iron pills of any type will help.  I still take one iron pill a day from Baratratic Advanatge but no one really knows if they are helping or not. Does this help in any way? Greg

I have been on the same presciption iron pill for years and it does keep my iron levels up. I take it once a take. It is hematinic plus minerals, 324 mg. I have never had to have an infusion.

My iron levels were always OK post-op and then I got in a real bad car accident 6 wks after my Lower Body Lift.  For the next 12 months, my levels were atlike 6 and I started taking double doses of iron.  I think 65mg/twice a day.  I even had to have my 2nd PS postponded bc of my low iron level. Now, 2 yrs of taking iron, Im in normal range again, i also switched to Loestrin (bc pill that has iron) and its udner control. 

My ferritin level is zero. I get iron infusions weekly. It's directly related to the WLS.

My first ferritin test was at 5 yrs post op from a very radical distal RNY and it was close to 800. Normal is about 20-250, give or take a point. My dh was 4 yrs and his was over 600. We'd been taking Tender Iron all that time. (appx 300mg elemental iron)

We were told to stop taking it and allow the ferritin to "spend down". We did, it did, while iron levels remained steady around 80-90. When the ferritin level hit 300, we started taking iron again to try to stop the drop in the 200's. It took awhile to get the dosage right, and the iron stayed steady while the ferritin dropped to around 100. When we hit 300mg of iron again, the levels are now pushing 200 again.

So, no, while we cannot absorb iron from food again, infusions, shots or transfusions are not a sure thing. Most ppl do not start on any or enough and rarely on the RIGHT iron for a WLS person. If any, it's still less than 100mg elemental iron. For exmaple, the common ferrous sulfate or gluconate is 325mg iron SALTS, which yields only 65mg elemental, and are the most poorly absorbed of the iron.

Iron must be taken with vit C, and they need to be alone together for at least an hour. No caffeine, dairy, eggs, whole grains, any other vites, minerals or meds.

Now that we are 12 and 13 yrs out, we have ferritin levels near 200, iron levels are still about 80, H&H are nice, too.

I don't believe our insurance would pay for any kind of medical treatment for iron since they frown on WLS, anyway. LOL So, we are quite diligent about taking our iron. And while the unwritten rule is 150mg elemental at one time, both of us take our 300mg at one sitting, with vit C, of course.

I haven't been on the site in a while, and I just happened upon this post - so obviously I was meant to log on today!  I have been feeling like crap, no energy at all, so at 4 years out I bet I am deplete.  I went right out to Super Supplements and they didn't have Tender Iron, but they did have an elemental iron, so I got that just to get started.   Where do I get the Tender Iron?  Michelle, can I get it from you?

Yes. I have it made for us since it was the only thing we could absorb. I I could've found it elsewhere, I would've, but every other one I tried didn't work, so I made it.

Next suport group meetings are 8/14 and 15, so why not come over then?

elemental is just a measurement.

So, let me see, like if you buy lemonade, the "elemental" would be how many lemons are in it, not how much water, if that makes sense.

Most RNY are started on no iron or very little. Since we SHOULD start on 150-300mg (elemental) per day, when we don't, we're already "behind" before anyone ever checks. IF they ever check. And by the time they check, it is assumed that we CANNOT absorb oral irons, when, in reality, not enough or not the right kind of iron was tried when it would've been easier to control.

It's easier to put the right kind of gas in your car at measured intervals than it is to pu****er in, now and then, right? That way, the car keeps running and you avoid having to pu**** up a hill for an expensive repair job.

My doc had me take iron orally for four months before sending me to get a colonoscopy, then hematologist. I got my iron from Bariatic Advantage since everything else made me crampy and constipated.  By the time I got to the hematologist, I was in really bad shape.  I'd already gone to hospital for a blood transfusion.   You are correct, that iron should definitely be part of our supplements.  I didn't know what a semi-common issue low iron was for WLS patients until it happened to me.   Torrey

Expectable and preventable. Part of the problem is not ENOUGH iron, even when you find one you like, and the other problem is that the iron you use may not be the right one for you. It took us a couple years to find the one that worked for us, and that was after throwing gobs of money at the Rx irons, for which our ins did not pay. We were taking over 1000mg (elemental) per day and levels were dropping? Then we swtiched to the cheapo Tenders and our levels rose, including ferritin, regularly