Question:
Where is iron absorbed?

Hi all. I desperately need to know if iron is "at all" absorbed in the common channel of the BPD/DS people. If you say yes, could you PLEASE give me a site or two where it states that? I just need a difinative answer as I am getting so many conflicting answers. Thanks.    — Barbara H. (posted on February 12, 2002)

February 12, 2002
I have always heard that iron absorbtion takes place in the duodenum. This is usually good for DS patients since they keep some of their duodenum fucntioning. I looked up a webpage (http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/IRON/IRON.html) and it says "Iron is mainly absorbed in the duodenum and upper jejunum." So no, it's not absorbed in the common channel. The duodenum begins right at your lower stomach (after the pylorus) and isn't very long I don't think. The next section of the intestine is the jejunum. I believe the common channel only consists of ileum (after the jejunum, before the large bowel). Hope that helps.
   — [Anonymous]

February 12, 2002
I'm the anonymous poster... just wanted to qualify my answer by letting you know that this is all to the best of my understanding since I am not an expert. Good luck!
   — [Anonymous]

February 12, 2002
Got a fax? I'll send you a little diagram of what is absorbed where. Now, my doc says the duodenum is also bypassed with DS. So, you'd be missing that as well. Hence the loss of fats/oils. WE get minute absorption of iron all the way along the intestine, but especially as the common channel hypertrohpies over time and with lack of proper nourishement. That's why we can usually head off the kinds of iron problems you're experiencing with the right iron from the start. And protein. Protein is always the bottom line for absorbing anything.
   — vitalady

February 12, 2002
I have NEVER heard of any DS surgeon who bypasses the duodenum completely. It is split, part staying in the food path, hense the name Duodenal Switch. The old BPD without DS and the RNY does not have this feature.
   — [Anonymous]