Iron Therapy Anyone?

I have been on iron supplements for nearly 5 years. Recently switched from Slow Fe to Carbonyl Iron. My overall blood chemistry seems to be going swiftly downhill. I feel like a wrung out dishrag. Normally I am a high energy person, and am in a professional position to be so, but between me and my virtual community of WLS friends...I must confess that I am really dragging. So here are my numbers: RBC 4.15 Hgb 11.4 HCT 33.9 MPV 12.7 Ferritin 7.6 MCH 27.5 MCV 81.7 My PCP suggested an oral iron therapy after my last set of labs (9/05). Tried the oral stuff...I'm not a masochist...could not bring myself to comply with the daily recommended dose because the stuff tastes like crap and nearly brought me to my knees! To make a short story long (!) what have you done to increase your iron and the related values? Note: iron supplements either are not effective for me, and/or wreak havoc on my gut! Thanks for your input, Karen

How is your B-12? A severe lack of B-12 can cause pernicious anemia not to mention fatigue, memory problems, neurological problems, sleep and muscle weakness. Almost all WLS patients have problems assimilating B-12 because of the lack of hydrocloric acid in the new pouch for RNY and for any surgery having to do with the intestines. I'd get a check on your water soluable vitamins then talk to the Doc. Pat

My B-12 is fine...take a 1000 mcg. shot once/month. My original post only included the bad stuff. My pouch is not so new anymore! Thanks for your reply. Karen

Karen-I have no personal experience with this and hopefully it never becomes an issue for me but... I have had several doctors tell me that it is very common to have to undergo iron infusions. A gastro doc, who I saw on another issue, and who did her training at a hospital with a very large wls program, told me that eventually a very large proportion of wls patients had to be infused. She seemed to be saying it was no big deal. Have your docs offerred this as a solution? Maybe once you get them up you can try a moderate supplement. Good luck-It must really stink reeling crummy all the time.

Thanks Lynda. Yes, feeling weak is worse than tired, exhausted...weakness is pervasive and seems to be out of my control. When I am tired at least I know why! Karen

Hi Karen, I've had two episodes of "excessive bleeding" associated with hormone imbalances related to the weight loss. My hemotocrit dropped to 8 both times. The first time it happened, I doubled up on Feosol and it took about 6 months to get my hemoglobin and hematocrit back to the low side of normal. It happened once more in Oct of last year and at that time I changed iron supplements and started taking Solgar Gentle Iron (also twice a day). It is chelated iron (partially predigested) so it is absorbed much easier. Also I haven't had ANY problems with GI problems - no cramping, constipation or nausea. My blood work came back up to the low normal range in ONE MONTH. That was proof enough for me that it was worth the change! I can't say what's best for you, but I was glad to have found it works for me. Best wishes! Regina

I'll try the Solgar! I'll try anything! Thanks. Karen

It may have started cause you used Slow Fe which is not the best iron for RNY patients. Slow Fe is sulfate . You might try GentalIron by Vitalady or the VitronC.

Thanks for the advice! Karen

Karen Last year I did Iv iron infusions and it worked great so far so good....nothing else worked for me but I have been anemic my entire life. Good luck Diana