Question:
Low TIBC (207)and low UIBC (130)- All else is nornmal per lab report

Am I in danger? My original complaint to surgeon was extreme fatigue and feeling of jet lag. He referred me to PCP. PCP is referring me back to surgeon. What if surgeon refers me to PCP again. Who are the specialists? Is this a non-concern?    — Susan33324 (posted on March 28, 2007)

March 28, 2007
I don't know the range for UIBC, the range for TIBC is 240-400 so you really aren't that low. I still have my lab work done every 6 months and something is always high or low, other than my Cholesterol (Thank you GOD!!!)... If you are concerned about it then call your doctor and ask him/her what it means... Your doctor will see these same results and if it is something of importance then they would contact you. Another option is to go to www.doctorslounge.com and ask for a little advice there - it's a pretty good website. Good luck finding answers. Jennifer
   — JGDugar

March 29, 2007
I had extreme fatigue too. It was my Iron and B12. You have to remember to exercise and avoid the sugar it really can make you depressed. I also felt that way one time before too. On my one year anniversery of my bypass I was fatigued, tired even after a nap, I was pregnant. Don't get worried though it usually has something to do with you vitamins or diet. Anna
   — ANNAJEAN

March 29, 2007
Everyone is different when it comes to levels and how you are feeling to the specific numbers. Someone may feel fine with your current numbers, while someone else would need to be a 100pts higher to feel their "norm". Are you taking your iron and vit B12. I don't think that it is a surgical problem and should be able to handled by your PCP. If you are taking your Vit B12, then you may need to consider another route to administer to obtain better absorption. Are you getting your protein in. Eat dark green leafy vegs... spinach etc they are high in iron. (Unless you take coumadin or warfarin, the Vit K in the dark green leafy veg's can interfere with medication) Vit K is the antidote for too much coumadin. Anyway, this is a condition that your PCP should be dealing with. I don't know why they are so uncomfortable with that. Unless, they are clueless, know it and want to refer to someone who knows their stuff, or could just be plain laziness. good luck to you.
   — Kari_K

March 30, 2007
Unfortunately this is a common problem between surgeon's and PCP's. This should be addressed by your surgeon, and if they keep referring you back and forth, time for a new PCP. Find a PCP that is glad you got the WLS. You didn't mention how far post op you are? This would also depend on who should look at this, your surgeon or PCP. Good luck!
   — crystalsno