Question:
At 6 mos postop my iron is still low. It is 39 and normal is 50 - 150. I had 150 cm

by passed. My surgeon recommends iron injections. I have been taking ferrous fumerate. I had one iron shot and it hurt like the dickens! My hip was sore for 3 mos afterward. Does anyone know how to have this shot in a manner that isn't so painful? How often do you have them? Also, do many of us have iron deficiencies? Does low iron affect the menstrual cycle? I haven't had a period since surgery. Thanks for any help!    — Marilyn C. (posted on June 18, 2001)

June 18, 2001
Marilyn, my serum iron level was also low at 6 months. My surgeon increased my multivitamin with iron supplement to twice a day, and also added an additional iron tablet twice daily. The iron tablets also need to be taken with an extra Vitamin C tablet which increases the absorption of the iron. He wanted me to stay on that regimen for 8 weeks. After that time, my serum iron was within normal limits. He then discontinued the extra iron and Vitamin C, but had me stay on 2 multivitamins with iron/day. I am now 15 months post-op, and my lab values have been great since that time. As for your menstrual cycle, it's important to remember that any major "shock" to the body can impact your hormones in a variety of ways. Some people stop having periods for a while; some people have too heavy/too frequent periods. You might ask your PCP to check your hormone levels to determine if they're low. That's certainly a correctable situation. Otherwise, you may just have to be patient and let your body tell you when it's ready to get back to business :-) Good luck!
   — Diana T.

June 18, 2001
I am always anemic , my hemo doc put me on liquid gel capsules that have iron and vit c together. My other doctor recommed liquid iron. both work really well
   — L. A.

November 29, 2003
Iron shots need to be taken "Z tracked" it really isn't something you can do yourself, you need to get someone to help you. I have severe anemia, my last crit was 31, and that is with 100 mg of ferrous sulfate daily and B12 injections every 2 weeks. Doing more tests on Monday, but the dr says at this rate I may need a transfusion soon!!!!!
   — Robin P.