Question:
What is causing me to have Iron deficiant anemia?

I am almost 2 years post op and my blood work came back with a low hemoglobin levels. The doctor said I have Iron deficiancy anemia. I am waiting to hear back from her. What am I doing wrong? I take vitamins and B-12. What else should I be doing?    — beachdog (posted on January 19, 2005)

January 18, 2005
I'm over 3 years out and my iron levels are about 1 point higher then what is considered the "norm". I'm tired a lot but I take my vitamins and iron pills daily. I've been diagnosed as anemic a couple of times and then my blood levels will rise again to get me just above the "norm". I've not been told that I'm doing anything wrong. I think it's just the way our body processes food now.
   — Patty H.

January 18, 2005
just vitamins? Most surgeons recommend an addtional Iron regardless of what iron you get in your regular vitamins. so it seems you just didnt take enough. Since your already anemic - you might want to consider getting the iron made especially for those who are anemic or have had the distal from the Vitalady.
   — star .

January 18, 2005
Lisa, I am also 2 years post-op and also suffering from low iron anemia. Back this past October, I ended up in the hospital being watched for heart attack and that's when they found out that I was anemic. I now take prescription iron supplements twice a day. Also, while I did not have a heart attack, it was overlooked that I was in the beginning stages of a light stroke. Be aware that anemia can cause heart attacks and strokes. I didn't find out I'd suffered a stroke until after I was released from the hospital and my symptoms started worsening. I went numb down my entire right side. I lost the ability to type or to even hold a pen to write. I wasn't able to take care of my household duties and had to have help with personal care. Washing myself was extremely hard, but I had to have help getting dressed because I wasn't able to grasp things and hold onto them with my right hand. While I do not know your age, I am only 45 years old. I returned to the ER with my problems and told the doctor that I suspected I was having a stroke. I was checked and put on Plavix and aspirin. After that, I started regaining my abilities. You might want to tell your doctor about my experience and get prescription iron supplements to help you. I take Fetrin. Also, I might mention that the doctors were never able to find out why my hemoglobin levels were dropping. I now get sick from the blood thinners and we're working on that problem, but since I have already suffered a stroke, I don't have a whole lot of alternatives. I hope you get better soon.
   — SnowWhiteDove459

January 19, 2005
Hi Lisa, Please do not take this lightly. I too was in the hospital with heart attack symptoms. I had all the tests done to confirm that there was no heart problem but I had iron deficiency anemia. My Ferritan (sp) level is 4. I had my first iron infusion yesterday and my hematologist told me to throw away all iron pills because no matter how many we take, they are not absorbed because of our gastic intestinal bypass with Roux-N -Y, and iron is hard on our pouches. He said the only way to get iron back is through and IV iron infusion, mine being in three parts,and I will be good for about two years until my cells are once again depleted. This will continue for the rest of my life. I am four years out of surgery, had a tummy tuck last year, and have lost 100#. Today, one day after infusion I have a rosy glow and feel better, but did gain 4# overnight due to all the fluids infused. I had to have an infusion of benadryl, steroids, and zantac right before I got the iron to counteract any reaction to the iron..felt like I was floating on the ceiling..good luck, Carolyn
   — Carolyn G.

January 19, 2005
I've been dealing with anemia for the past 2.5 years. I was able to get it up enough to have surgery in Feb. 04 and haven't been as faithful to my iron pills. My iron was 13 in Nov. and that is really good, well I let a couple of days here and there pass, and it has fallen to 7. My PCP and gyn have threatened transfusions. I'm currently taking 1 250mg of ICAR-C twice a day. I'm having to have my hemoglobin checked once a week. I also have been having heavy periods for the pat 2 years. I found out Monday that I have a fibroid tumor and that is causing my heavy cycles and that is the culprit for my anemia. I'm having a hysterectomy later this spring, once we shrink the fibroid some and get my iron built up. Look at all the possibilities. Debbie
   — D. K.

January 19, 2005
I am 3yrs post op and in november after having a blood test because i was so tired all the time my doc said i was anemic. I was told to take iron supplements 3 times a day with meals and 1 multivitamin. If there was no improvement i would have to have it administered by IV. I have been taking chelated iron pills 3x a day and now i am back up in the normal range and have more energy. The chelated iron is easier to digest, usually for vegetarians. It is hard to find but i found it at my local GNC.
   — Tammy N.

January 19, 2005
Hello there, here's some great news for you, I am nearly 6 years post-op and I too was becoming anemic, I mean severly, to the point that I couldn't tolerate any activities, I would literaly force myself to my daily 30minute 2mile walk and wouldn't lose any weight, I would be freezing in the hot heat of summer, refusing to have my air condition unit running, tired, sluggish, even though I would inject myself twice a month with B-12, the doctor said I was so low that he was going to admit me into the hospital, I take liquid centrum with iron, and was taking iron pills, but they had little affect, so he put me on liquid Ferrous S04 Elixir 220/5, but you must put it in some water or juice and sip it through a straw or it will stain your teeth, and honey let me tell you, energy you cannot explain came upon me within a week, and losing the remaining pounds came off, and I have been way above the normal levels since taking it, I take a teaspoon a day in apple, orange, or grape juice, and sometimes I even take it in water, and it doesn't taste bad. Hope this helps you. You may email me at [email protected] if you need to contact me. Johnlette
   — johnlette H.

January 20, 2005
Hi, I just got back from the hospital just now from having an iron infusion done. My levels were dangerously low I was at a "3". I had half the dose today and will have the rest in a couple weeks. I too was sluggish, wasn't losing anymore weight and was always cold. It took several hours and right now I'm feeling really weird cause they gave me a b-12 shot as well. I am hoping this will help. My dr said there wasn't anything else they could do and that I would be having to get my iron this way for the rest of my life. Taking iron orally just isn't an option for me. But the way I look at it is, it's a small price to pay for the way I look now. Best of luck to you. I hope you feel better soon.
   — Jillisa R.

January 20, 2005
Before you blame yourself, please note you have had gastric bypass surgery and THAT is why you are IDA. I know many docs don't think it will happen with proper eating, but since the food does not pass the primary iron absorption area, it's just a matter of time before we are IDA. It may take a combo of irons to fix it from where you are now, but the iron rules will still apply. Iron is only taken with vit C, not ever with other vites, meds or minerals, nor with caffeine, dairy, eggs, whole grains. Give them an hour alone together. Ferrous sulfate form is not well tolerated by the general public, nor is it well absorbed by us, so there may be easier ways to get your iron on board.
   — vitalady

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