Iron infusion -

Hi BOTTs.

I have had a few iron infusions over the past 5 years but I am curious about something.  

If you have had infusions, what were your Iron and Ferritin levels down to before you received your infusions?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who has this information.

 

Gaby

Gaby, I have never had one so I am not sure.  Hala or Iris will probably chime in later.  They both have had them.

Thanks Tess.  Have a nice afternoon!!

 

I tried to go for a walk at lunch time and it was over 100 degrees with about as much humidity...I made it to my car (to get my sneakers for my walk) and that was about it...turned on my heals and went back into my office. 

Maybe I can make up for the walk in drinking more water!  haha

(:

 

Gaby

Hey don't discount the walk to the car.  I count my steps to the bathroom and back.  I told my husband this morning to bring the exercise bike back into the house and dust it off.  If I am not walking then I guess I will be riding.

My ferritin levels had been an 14 in January but then they dropped some (12 I think) over the course of 6 months with extra supplementation. My doc decided not to keep messing and go ahead with the infusions. I have one more to go and then we'll re check in about 3 weeks.

I honestly see a difference in how I feel (with the exception of the day of the infusions). I think the lethargy on the day of has more to do with the dislike of needles and the adrenaline spike than the actual infusion.

- Iris

Hi. Mine were 9-10. And stayed that way for almost a year with trying to supplement. All the iron I tried to take (too many types and brands to list) gave me horrible side effects that include pain and cramps. My gut hates iron.
I got series of 4 infusions - once a day for 4 days. My ferritin got up to 95.... A year later I was down to 30 with symptoms of low iron -ferritin again. My hematologist decided to give me infusions. This time one day weekly for 4 weeks. My ferritn got up to 195 this time, and in 6 months dropped to 95.... But now it is holding steady. Even with surgery I had in June, and blood tests (they took a lot of blood during a whole day hormonal testing) my ferrritin only dropped from 95 to 86... So this year I am good.
If your plan to have that - you may try to load on proteins. Iron binds to proteins so low protein level may not allowed for max absorption. Also if you are anemic - make sure they check B12 and copper. That is essential. Because of my guts hating any iron - even the iron infusions gave me belly cramps. (The body -liver, dumps the extra iron that it does not retain into the small intestine)

Thank you for the information, I really appreciate it.

 

Gaby

Hi!  I have had several Iron Infusions over the past 2 years.  My last Iron Level was 11, the Doctors office said it should be 40-175.

My Ferratin was 3 and it should be 10-291! 

 

I am suppose to go back soon to have my 3 month labs drawn.  About two weeks after my infusions I seemed to be having more energy and then this past month it seems to be dropping:( 

 

Hope this helps!  

Oh and every time I have infusions I seem to gain about 10 lbs!  Not sure if that is because of infusion or mental!

I looked at my labs and had four listed in addition to the Ferritin, so let me know if you want specifics.  My last Ferritin was 39.

My surgery was in Apr of 2008 and when the did the labs quarterly, my Ferritin was much lower and I started taking the Bariatric Advantage Iron.  Every time I had lab work done, I usually increased the dose.  I dropped once after that only because I slacked off taking the iron.

Today I take 180 (3 of the 60's) at night before I go to bed.  I have never had a problem with them as far as constipation and all that.  I do take the chewable and try to keep them in my mouth a few minutes and chew thoroghly.  I think when I dropped into the 10-15 range, I might have taken some liquid to help get it up faster, but not quite sure on that.  I am not real rigid on taking the iron every night but pretty regular.  and now, seeing that 39, I am going to dig out my older labs and see if I dropped from the year before...due to slacking!!

Not trying to push the BA Iron, but I have never had a problem and I know people have many problems - I love having good labs 5.5 years post-op!!