Question:
Is ferrous sulfate what we want after WLS?

The other day someone answered a question about Vitron C with this reply "Yes, it is a good one on paper. By that I mean that what worked wonders for me might be a big zero for you. Carbonyl pulled us out of a slump and got us healthy, when the big guns Rx irons didn't do a thing. Each body is a lil different with iron. Watch for gastric distress (as with any iron, though some are more gentle), but it should be a good one. The one we do not want is ferrous SULFATE. You can also take another C with it, just to increase immunity, as an antioxidant. And it's taken with no other vites, minerals or meds, no dairy or caffine, for at least an hour, right?" What had me confused was the line that said "The one we do not want is ferrous SULFATE." This is what my doctor listed for me to get for my iron as I am a 32 year old woman who is supposed to have my period and needs the iron. So if this true what should I take instead and why would they (my Dr.) suggest this? Thank you ahead of time for your answers Amy 7/14/03 lap rny    — Amy C. (posted on July 10, 2004)

July 9, 2004
YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE FERROUS SULFATE!!!! You can absorb it to some extent but not nearly as much as the carbonyl iron. Michelle Curran at www.vitalady.com has some very good research documents on this. I am assuming you have had RNY.
   — Delores S.

July 10, 2004
Amy, You can request non-ferrous sulfate iron at any health food stores and they will be able to help you. Until recently, I did not know any other kind existed, but they fixed me up with one. Unfortunately, my pouch did not like it and it came back up. vitalady.com also sells a non FS iron supplement that is pouch friendly and very reasonable. Their website is also very informative. I was anemic pre op and had to mega dose 3x per day until surgery, and I have struggled with anemia most of my adult life - even without a period! I have also learned that our B12 supplements must be sublingual for us to get any benefit from them. Well, happy trails and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
   — brinkman_d

July 11, 2004
Amy, if your doctor recommended it, take it. If you feel uneasy, talk with your doctor. I have a ferrous sulfate defiency and restless leg syndrome so I don't have a choice but to take it. I have not had any problems with ferrous sulfate...Judy
   — juju524

July 11, 2004
Since it's me you're quoting, let me give you my impressions. The books I have indicate that FS is one of the few non-organic irons out there. And yet, in theory, any ORGANIC irons absorb better. Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible states this very understandably. Why do docs recommend it? Again, my impression is that's all they know. My dad has iron issues and his doc rx FS and I objected. He has had an ulcer, has some other gastric issues. (He could actually USE the constipating effect) I pointed out that was a miserable way to go, and could we try some other irons first. He was good with that. Moving furhter with dad's problem (which is much more serious than this), he is seeeing a hematologist, who also suggested FS. HE (blood doc) had never heard of anything beyond FS. He agreed it causes gastric and bowel distress but didn't know anything about alternatives. And yes, he sees severely anemic WLS people. I took packaging on 2 other irons to him and he was delighted to know of other irons that are more gentle and better absorbed, especially by gastric sensitive people. It may not be a case of your doc knowing and not liking the choices, but more likely a case of his not knowing about other choices YET. They don't come out of the chute knowing everything about everything, all the Rx drugs and every OTC on the market. They can't. The ND knew about irons. Different area of expertise. My dad's problem cannot be fixed with any iron, unfortunately, but it gave me some interesting exposure to the info available out there. (He has internal damage and his bone marrow is slacking on the job. He's 86, and a normie) To further bamboozle you, your age means nothing to the iron thing if you've had BPD or RNY. We ALL malabsorb iron to a degree. And it may take awhile to show up. Or not. Age or gender doesn't seem to matter much.
   — vitalady

July 12, 2004
I just wanted to thank you for your input and I will make sure to ask my doctor the next time I see her.
   — Amy C.