Question:
Extreamly low blood test results.

I had my blood taken last Friday. Tuesday the nurse called me and told me that I am severly malnourished. I have no vitamin C, and my iron and protein was very, very low. My hematocrit is a 13. I have been having severe muscle cramps for 3 months and nobody knew what it was until now. My protein is a 15. I have been reading online about hematocrit levels and it said that normal is 35 + and that 24 they start considering transfusions. At 14 your risk of heart failure is great. Now here I am at a 13, and they have me taking regular old iron pills. Should I be more concerned than my doctor obviously is?    — leigh_dilday (posted on October 8, 2005)

October 8, 2005
I just had my blood work done, and everything was normal. I use resource optisource vitamins, and I chew 4 a day. My surgeon swears by them You can purchase them online at Walgreens. http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=301120&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod403359 Specially formulated for use after bariatric surgery. Natural and artificial flavor. USP. Instructions Suggested Use: OptiSource Dietary Supplement provides nutrients for persons after bariatric surgery. Thoroughly chew 1 tablet 4 times daily. For optimal absorption, take each tablet separately with food. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, contact your health care provider before using this product. Ingredients Sugar , Calcium Carbonate , Dextrose , Dicalcium Phosphate , Magnesium Oxide , Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate , Gelatin , Natural Flavors , Artificial Flavors , Starch , Citric Acid , Yellow 6 Lake , Magnesium Stearate , Ferrous Fumarate , Talc , Silicon Dioxide , Mono & Diglycerides , Zinc Oxide , Ascorbic Acid , Sodium Ascorbate , Aspartame , Niacinamide , Lactose , Sodium Hexametaphosphate , Calcium Pantothenate , Manganese Sulfate , Vitamin A Acetate , Acacia , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Cupric Oxide , Sorbic Acid , Folic Acid , Riboflavin , Thiamine Mononitrate , Sodium Benzoate , Cyanocobalamin , Cottonseed Oil , Chromium Chloride , Phytonadione , Biotin , BHT to Preserve Freshness , Potassium Iodide , Cholecalciferol , Sodium Selenate , Sodium Molybdate , DL-Alpha Tocopheryl , Wheat Gluten , Calcium Stearate Nutritional Facts Serving Size 1 tablet Servings Per Container Calories 5 Calories from Fat Amount Per Serving % Daily Value* Total Carbohydrate 1.0 g 1.0% % Sugars 1.0 g % % Vitamin A 37.0% % Vitamin C 15.0 mg 25.0% % Vitamin D 25.0% % Vitamin E 417.0% % Vitamin K 40.0 mcg 50.0% % Thiamin 375.0 mcg 25.0% % Riboflavin 425.0 mcg 25.0% % Niacin 5.0 mg 25.0% % Vitamin B6 500.0 mcg 25.0% % Folate 200.0 mcg 50.0% % Vitamin B12 125.0 mcg 2083.0% % Biotin 75.0 mcg 25.0% % Pantothenic Acid 2.5 mg 25.0% % Calcium 250.0 mg 25.0% % Iron 7.5 mg 42.0% % Phosphorus 50.0 mg 5.0% % Iodine 37.5 mcg 25.0% % Magnesium 100.0 mg 25.0% % Zinc 7.5 mg 50.0% % Selenium 17.5 mcg 25.0% % Copper 0.5 mg 25.0% % Manganese 0.5 mg 25.0% % Chromium 30.0 mcg 25.0% % Molybdenum 18.75 mcg 25.0% % Sodium 5.0 mg 1.0% %
   — Janice Poole

October 8, 2005
If you email me privately, perhaps I can help you piece together a program that you will find useful. Are they starting you on iron infusions like yesterday?
   — vitalady

October 8, 2005
Yes, you should be concerned, but, do talk to Michele she knows what you need. How far out are you & what kind of Vitamins are you taking now? It is not too late to get this turned around if you start right now. Do not wait & get onto a stricked regimen & you will be fine. Marilyn, the Bearlady
   — Marilyn C.

October 9, 2005
I do hope that you will follow up with Michelle Curran (aka Vitalady.com) because she is a long term post-op and can be of invaluable assistance to you. I suspect that you are probably missing a number of lab tests that should be run as well to provide an even better idea as to what is happening. There is much information that is needed such as what supplements are you taking, what are you doing for protein each day (how much), and exactly what labs have been run. I have a list of suggested labs on my web site at acdlady.com/WLS_Labtests (just add the www.). I also have many other helpful pages on that site. Please feel free to email me if you wish to have one-on-one communication. Again, I encourage you to follow up with Michelle. Sandy Arizona
   — Arizona_Sun

October 9, 2005
You are in a serious situation. I would go into an ER if I were you. I am very concerned for you! I am post op 3 yrs RNY. My first year out I became anemic, not too severe, and it got worse as time went on. I was at the point where my primary considered transfusion last Sept.. I had been taking a prenatal vitamin with Iron, and sublingual b12 since surgery. I was prescribed Iron pills in addition about 1 year out. I was traveling and running around alot through the second year (like a post op would with a new look and exploring life!) and forgetting to take my supplements! I went too long between blood draws for labs last year during the summer and after a scary episode in Sept 04 of chest pain, shortness of breath anxiety type feelings, and so tired I could not get out of bed or have much energy to move around, which I later found out was severe anemia symptoms, I finally went in for tests. Labs should be drawn every 3 months at least. She sent me to a hematologist. The hematologist set out to determine which anemia I may have, there are many causes. After monitoring my iron pill intake for a month or so, and seeing no improvement, she set me up for the infusion of iron Jan .05. My levels have been fabulous ever since, actually abovve normal. WHich makes me wonder if that is good either? She believes I simply was not absorbing the iron through pill form. I am better than I was then, but I still have fatigue, sometimes imbalance, low focus, memory, and some tingling in hands at times. I wonder if my B12 is absorbed enuf. Or is it low protien symptoms? I am curious how far out you are, and if you take a mutli vitamin. I have very recently upped my protien again through a low carb and sugar Isopure powder supplement. Hopefully my symptoms will diisappear and I will not get sick from eVERYTHING that comes near me! And currently I am taking a vitamin c, even though my levels are ok there, just to help ward off the flu cold season. I seem to get sick if any bug comes around, currently have some flu with respiratory trouble. Looking around this site again in the past week, I see that post ops needing infusions for iron is more common than I realized. In my case, had I taken supplements as needed and checked labs as needed, I would still have had anemia but I doubt I would have gotten to the point I was at. Please let your doctors know you most likely need an infusion at this point!
   — Jenny_B

October 9, 2005
Are you assiduously taking your protein and vitamin supplements?
   — Novashannon