Question:
My iron and calcium levels are low. What is vitamins are best for absorbtion?

I curently take: 1 Pre natal vitamin, Citracal Plus, 4 pills a day (with vitamin D and magnesium), and Ferrous Gluconate 324mgs a day, RX Vitamin D 50,000IU once a week. My test results show an elevated parathyroid and elevated phosphorus. My Endocrinologist doesn't seem concerned, because I don't have any tingling in the extremities. Well I, of course, am concerned. She said to drink more milk and eat more yogurt. I am 2 1/2 years post op. I had only 100cm bypassed. I don't understand why I am not able to get my levels up. Thanks for you replies.    — Allison M. (posted on November 6, 2004)

November 6, 2004
I am Tom. 6 weeks post op in Cleveland. As for the calcium, I just received an e-mail from my hospital that the only calcium that is of any benefit to bariatric patients is Calcium Citrate. You can find it in any drug store. I hop this is a help to you,
   — Thomas M.

November 6, 2004
That's because there is substantial iron & calcium malabsorption with even the shortest bypass. I'm guessing your PTH is high because you're not taking enough calcium (but it is a good one). Are you taking dry form D, as well? Rather than take each element apart, since you are so far out, I'll refer you to the Grad list. Others there can recommend the irons that have worked for them. I personally take 4000 IU of dry D per day and am holding excellent levels. Since the rx D is oil based, I doubt if it would help me, for example. It has taken a few years of tweaking to get all the levels steady, but the degree of bypass seems to have little effect on iron, calcium, D, except perhaps the length of time it takes to fall. I went into WLS anemic, but leveled out using the cheap Tender Iron, then had plenty of iron for years. Now that I've spent the spare, I went back to Tender Iron and doubled the levels since July. Still tweaking to get it right. I'm not a fan of pre-natals, as I don't see that they are balanced for US, but then, that's MHO. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

November 7, 2004
Are you taking your iron and calicum at the same time. From what I understand, these two cannot be taken at the same time of day because they will cancel each other out. I take my calcium before I go to bed with a vit. D . Hope this helps.
   — peggyp

November 14, 2004
i had problems with my iron levels being low too until I switched to Carbonyl Iron, from what I read on this site it's better absorbed in us post ops, and within 6 weeks of taking it, my iron levels doubled and are back in the normal range. I buy it at CVS or Walmart, it comes in a red box and is called Feosol.
   — Patricia T.