Question:
Iron saturation is a 3

Is this something to be concerned about? All I'm hearing from the doctor is to take my iron pill twice a day. My iron level dropped from a 21 two weeks ago to a 16 this week. They did the iron profile for the first time on Monday. HCT is 30.5 and BGH is 9.7. My B12 level is normal and folate is high at 693 (normal 268-616). I live in a small town and we have ONE hematologist and he won't see me without a referral even though I don't need it for my insurance. Should I demand one from my PCP? Thanks for the advise.    — georgiacarol (posted on February 16, 2006)

February 16, 2006
Yes you need to do whatever it may take to see the hematologist in your town. He or she will be able to regulate your medications to try to bring your levels to normal. While you are in the referral process, there are a few things to aid with iron absorption as much as possible. Milk products will greatly reduce the absorption of iron so that anything with milk in it atleast a couple of hours apart. Caffeine also reduces absorption as well. Vitamin C helps with better absorption so you may try Vitron C, which has iron mixed with Vitamin C, or take a Vitamin C supplement with the iron. Great job with the B12. Have the doctor check your levels very soon to make sure they do not go lower and requiring transfusions. Hang in there. This process is not easy that is for sure! Shelly
   — scharlier

February 16, 2006
If your going to take iron try Ultimate Iron by enzymatic therapy. It has the vit c to help uptake and other key nutrients that help you increase your levels of iron. I should know bc I have tried it. I also have gotten iron shots which seem to work too.
   — spykitty

February 16, 2006
what type of iron are you taking? Are you taking your Iron with vitamin C ? If you had the RNY you need ferruous fumurate. A good one is VitronC. I had trouble with low Iron; the first iron I got that acually raised my levels was Ferrous Fumurate 325 from the pharmacist at walgreens (this is a HIGH iron) and it brought my levels up within the month - from 14 to 54.
   — star .