Question:
For those who've had anemia....

I just read through all the postings on anemia. I am 2.5 yrs post op and it seems i have almost all the signs. I had bloodwork done in early June prior to TT and was told everything was "normal." My question is, did you go to your primary care doc with this? My surgeon is no longer on my insurance so I can't go there. Although my primary docs and kinda the fast track ones (get you in and out). I read people talk about going to hematologists....was that recommend by your PCP or did you just make an appt. with one? Thanks!    — emilyfink (posted on December 8, 2004)

December 7, 2004
Hi...I stil see my bariatric surgeon (I'm 3.5 years out) and they do my bloodwork every 6 months. Actually because I also see my Endo every 6 months, I'm getting bloodwork done every 3..lol. My iron was low, and my BS put me on a prescription iron called Chlomagan (sp?). I see my Endo week after next and will find out then if it's helping. I was say that if your surgeon is no longer on your insurance, see your PCP and have them do the bloodwork to check your iron levels. If they are in fact low, ask to be referred to a hemotologist...Good luck! Denise 316/158
   — lily1968

December 7, 2004
My PCP does my labs and keeps an eye on my blood count. I'm sometimes "low normal", but even though that's considered "normal", I still feel like crap when it gets to that point. My surgeon also will do labs, but he's much farther away, so that's why I go to my PCP. I wouldn't think you'd need a hemotologist unless your PCP or surgeon is having trouble getting your levels up.
   — mom2jtx3

December 8, 2004
My internist does my blood work and has been since 1 yr post-op. I still see my surgeon every 6 months but I suspect that will go to yearly after Feb when I will be 2 yrs PO. In my case my internist has kept a much closer eye on my labs and dug into things that looked suspicious and that my surgeon felt was no big deal. The end result was I was low in zinc. He also had me get iron infusions to get my level up rather than try and fight it with iron supplements that constipate the heck out of us. The infusions worked well and most likely would have kept my level normal if it weren't for the PS I had a month ago. I would not go to a hematologist until you know there is something significantly wrong and it's not something your PCP can take care of.
   — zoedogcbr

December 8, 2004
Get all your copies fro pre-op til forever. Sit down and compare them, one with another. See for yourself what trends have developed. Even when my doc has ben off my ins, I take my list to my PCP and he runs the tests. I get copies and fwd to my surgeons, who then fax me their feedback, if any. It would depend on how anemic you are, which kind of anmeia and what efforts you've made to correct it before you'd want to go straight to a hema.
   — vitalady

December 14, 2004
I was just referred to a hematologist after about 6 months of extremely low iron/ferritin levels while continuing to take a LOT of carbonyl iron (I've tried all kinds of iron, none made any difference so I am assuming my problem is absorption). Talk to your PCP first. Are you taking iron, and what kind of iron? Are your periods (if you have them) very heavy or heavier than usual? Do you have black stools(poop)? Low energy? Follow Michelle's advice: get copies of everything, take it to your PCP and air your concerns. Work with your PCP to get this figured out. It may be as simple as adjusting the type of iron supplement, the amount or with which foods you are taking it. I would not see a hematologist until I met with your PCP-- and if you feel that your PCP is just trying to get you in an out, stand your ground and demand his/her attention.
   — lizinPA