Question:
Do I have a vitamin deficiancy?

I am 11 months post-op and for the last month or so, I have been craving ice. It is starting to worry me because I can't stop craving ice chips. What could be causing this? My last lab tests were normal. But, I have not been taking any B-12 or iron supplements.    — toni2marie (posted on May 5, 2002)

May 4, 2002
I heard Ice chip cravings are an indication of low iron. This may be an old wives tail , but why take a chance? Get yourself some Carbonyl Iron (wal mart or Vitalady) it won't hurt your pouch and it is readely absorbed. I take mine with O.J. on an empty stomach wait a half hr to 45 min before I take any other vits or pills. Why are you not taking any supplements? You need those nutrients! We all do.
   — Rose A.

May 5, 2002
Take this for what it's worth but I've always heard that if you crunch ice, it's a sign of sexual frustration. An old wive's tale perhaps? But I've heard this for years........
   — blank first name B.

May 5, 2002
my sister is three years post op and was craving ice. she had also heard it was due to anemia but thought it was an old wives tale. she had some lab work in preparation for a tummy tuck revision and low and behold it was VERY low. this was only 6 months after having her regular wls labs which were normal. her surgeon said he was going to rethink this "old wives tale". she did not respond to over the counter iron but within a week of taking prescription iron her levels started to rise and were normal within a month. and........ no more ice cravings!
   — PATSY N.

May 5, 2002
Please have your iron checked. So many people discount the idea of low iron but it can be a very serious problem. My friend had this surgery 3 years ago and had to have several transfusions because of iron levels being so low that it put her at risk for a heart attack. By the way she constantly eats ice and is always cold which is another side effect of low iron. She has responded to prescription iron but over the counter didn't work at all. Some women are more prone to low iron than others. I would definately check it out with your doctor.
   — samizaki

May 5, 2002
I never knew this. I have been having unbelievable cravings for ice. I would get a bowl of it with an ice shaver and just eat it. I thought maybe my mouth wanted something to chew since I hadn't been eating as much as before surgery. Blood tests showed low iron and my doctor prescribed iron pills. I go back this month, so we'll see if the levels have gone up to normal. My cravings have come down a lot since the iron. Interesting.
   — Michele :.

May 5, 2002
Yes, the ice craving is very real. that was the first sign to my doctor that I was low on iron! In fact ti was so low I had to have an iron infusion. within a couple of weeks the ice cravings were gone!
   — Linda M.

May 5, 2002
I agree with everyone who said low iron. I was anemic prior to WLS and always craved ice. My sister is so anemic she has had to have blood transfusions. She doesn't take the iron, because she says it hurts her stomach. She eats cup after cup no matter where she is. According to my nutrition, when you take iron take it with a vitamin C source, but not with calcium. So, if you do take it with OJ or grapefruit juice, make sure it has not been fortified with calcium. They make a vitamin C and iron combination now, but I don't recall the name of it.
   — Lisa N M.

May 5, 2002
I would get some fresh labs run, personally. But iron does not HAVE to "hurt". As a general rule, only ferrous SULFATE hurts, and taken with OJ it might hurt more. Usually a non sulfate, like the carbonyl iron with a regular vit C will not cause pain or bowel problems. If someone is severely anemia, there are higher dose iron supps (Rx and OTC) availble that are not sulfate.
   — vitalady