Question:
Ferritin is 11, and dropping. What works orally?

I am having such a difficult time raising my Ferritin level. It was at 17, three months ago with ferrous gluconate (Originally 15) , so I changed to Polysaccharide 150 complex two a day. Now I find out it has dropped to 11! I am so tired all the time, I get dizzy. My doctor has suggested 3 gluconate and 3 polysaccharide a day. I hope that it works. I feel terrible. My doctor doesn't seem concerned because all other labs look normal-CBC, B12 (1900), calcium, B1 (129). Do you think this combo of iron will help? I'm tired of being tired. Thanks for your help. RNY 3/2002 Proximal    — Allison M. (posted on June 18, 2005)

June 18, 2005
I am having the same problem...I am a little over two years out(lost 205 lbs) and just started getting so tired in the last 6 weeks or so. My Iron level is a 10! This has got me worried. I am not big veggie lover so I don't get a lot of green stuff. I did find veggie mix powder that is tolerable. My doc put me on Icar-c three times a day and told me to come back in 2 months for a recheck. I have been craving ice terribly. I am cold all the time. The Dr said my blood volume is half of what is should be, RBC are way down, but everything else is perfect. Got to get the iron up. I am trying to get pregnant and Dr. Seems to think My body won't allow it becasue of the low iron level. Anyone else going through this? Help? Advice? Thank you.
   — MANDIHARRISON

June 18, 2005
Allison, First let me start by saying that my advice here is just that....advice....I'm not a doctor, but have been thru some of these symptoms myself, nor am I saying that just because I went thru something like this that you are having the same problem. With that being said, I want thru some HORRIBLE times since the end of December. Only difference was my hemoglobin went down to 6 and I had to have a blood transfusion. My stored iron levels (ferritin) was at TWO! My only option at that time (because both my WLS surgeon AND my PCP were consulted) thought that since our bodies do not absorb like they used to it could take 6-8 months for this to go back to normal that iron IVs would be the best option for me. With doing that procedure my levels were back to normal within 11/2 months. I'm not telling you this to scare you, but when your stored levels get too low (and you might want to make this suggestion to your PCP) that we run the risk of congestive heart failure. Not to panic here because it is only a POSSIBILITY. If your doctor is watching you close enough and you are continuing going to him then you shouldn't have a problem because more than likely he is watching for this for you. Suggest to your PCP iron IVs. They are painless but get the job done quickly. Some PCPs don't like to do that, but remind them that your body doesn't absorb like a "normal" person's body does and see what he has to say.....otherwise, just make sure you keep taking all the iron you can.....at this point the more the better. Hope this helps give you some insight.
   — Carole M.

June 19, 2005
I had the same problem last year, my plastic surgeon is actully the one that suggested I go see a Hematolgist. I had an area that was not healing from my tummy tuck and I stayed exausted all the time, falling asleep driving and I was just really pale. The labs that my gastric bypass doctor did was all low, but in the normal range. The hematologist did "iron studies" and withdrew about 7-8 vials of blood for these test. The results were low, but the only result I can remember was that my iron stores were 7 and the normal range for that test was 45 and up. So I started getting Infed per IV 1x a week. I started feeling a little better after 2-3 weeks of treatments. All in all I think I had 10 treatments. Now I just go back to see him for check ups and doing well so far.
   — Carrie W.

June 19, 2005
Im wondering what your iron level is. How are you taking your B-12 to have a 1900? And is your Dr checking your trans Ferritin? This will tell you a little more of what is going on. I take Trinsicon and it is working great for me. But my Ferritin was always in the normal limits but my iron in the toilet until I started taking the Trinsicon. I agree you need to see a Hematolgist to maybe sort this out and help you to feel better. How are your other B Vitamin levels doing?
   — jenafwife

June 19, 2005
I like that your doc is onto "cocktailing" the irons. We've had great luck with Tender Iron to build ferritin. It's absorbability has a lot to do with it going into ferritin. a little too biochemical for me, of course, but I know it works. Our ferritins reached 766 and 636 (before anyone checked) on this stuff. lol
   — vitalady

June 27, 2005
allison, choloraphyll can do wonders to pump up you iron levels. you can get it at the healthfood store or even CVS. it conmes in pills or liquid. i would stat with 100mg 2-3 times a day. you will see results in less then a week. and you will start feeling less tired and lethargic. All the Best! Tracey
   — traceybubbles

July 1, 2005
4 years post surgery I ended up with very low Ferritin also. It was down to 3 but I felt fine which the doctors thought amazing. Like Amanda, I craved chewing ice all the time - I was chewing gallons of ice a day. My ice maker couldn't keep up with me and I was making additional ice with ice cube trays to supplement the quantity. This is a classical symptom of anemia and it is called pica. I was referred to a hematologist who gave me 17 bags of iron in an IV over a 17 day period (I went to his office every day and it took about half an hour to drip into me). About two weeks into this treatment my ice chewing craving vanished. It is now a several years after that and I only measure my iron level annually now and it has stayed normal. However my hematologist advised that as soon as I feel like chewing ice again to get my iron level checked.
   — BJ M.