Question:
Two months ago I tried to donate blood

and was told that my Iron was to low. Since then I have been religoius about taking my multi vitamin with iron plus and extra iron pill (ferrous sulfate). Today I was again told that my iron was too low to donate blood. I am taking about 83 mg a day. Does anyone know how much Iron we should be taking a day or am I taking the wrong kind of iron? thanks 276/160    — charlotte W. (posted on July 20, 2004)

July 20, 2004
My surgeon told me never to donate blood as a post-op. Even those that don't have low iron can have problems with the iron dropping after a donation, and difficulty bringing it back up. If you're having problems already BEFORE a donation, I would not risk it. There are certain forms of iron that we malabsorb after RNY. Check w/ vitalady.com for info. I use carbonyl iron as it's gentle on the stomach and absorbed well. My iron is generally on the low side of normal. I also use to be a blood donor, but would never risk it now, although I actually work for a blood bank, and feel bad that I can't donate!
   — mom2jtx3

July 20, 2004
I am anemic so I am taking iron 3x a day as opposed to 2. Also I am eating iron rich foods with every meal. I tend more toward cheeses for my protein which is why I became anemic I think. Also I was drinking tea within 1/2 hour of taking my iron. There is something in tea that counteracts iron. I was told to take 325 mg when I was first out of surgery. I had gone down to 250, now am back to 325.
   — mrsmyranow

July 20, 2004
From my understand you shouldnt use the 'sulfate' but ferronyl or another kind forgot the name.
   — star .

July 20, 2004
I was also told that I could not donate blood post op. It had something to do with iron levels in the blood and that we can't afford to have them drop because they are difficult to get back up. Who knows if that's correct or not, but it made sense to me.
   — MomBear2Cubs

July 20, 2004
I was instructed by my surgeon never to donate blood as a post op, due to iron levels. I do miss donating blood...I donated regularly.
   — Hazel S.

July 20, 2004
As long as our blood levels are good my WL surgeon is fine with us donating blood. I have done it twice in the past 4 months, granted for my own plastic surgeries, but my levels were high enough. My PS has me do 325mg of iron sulfate, 3 times a day, for 2 weeks before donating and then 2 more weeks afterwards to get the level back up because of the high blood loss in PS. I lost almost 5 units of blood with my first PS and ended up have three transfusions, so it took a while for my levels to come up, which meant I was dragging pretty bad for about a month. I did have marginal hemoglobin levels going into my 2nd PS but it's because I had donated 2 weeks earlier and then my internist had a ton sucked out of me the week before surgery for my 3 month tests. In hindsight I should have waited to have those drawn. <p>In addition to iron supplements there are many foods very rich in iron. In the past I have eaten a ton of shrimp and I suspect that is why my levels were good without any supplements. The only problem with the sulfate form is that it constipates the heck out of me. But since it's a short time I survive. B-12 is an important piece of the iron picture also!
   — zoedogcbr

July 20, 2004
Hi, I am an emergancy blood donar and donate blood often. I am generally "border line" but was always able to donate (I'm 3 yrs post op btw). However, this last time, I was turned away for the first time, because my level was too low...I'm scheduled to go back the 26th and try again. I already take ferrous sulfate daily, but was instructed to increase my dark green veggies and eat organ meat (as if)...I have increased the veggies and cut way back on caffeine...as someone else mentioned, I think caffeine blocks some iron absorption. I've been feeling better (was kinda feeling sleepy/weak)...so I shall see how it goes. I have been a member of the Blood Bank for years, but became an emergancy donar when they asked, because I figured it would be a great way to look after my "border line" anemia...and so far it has been working out pretty good in that regard and I get to help out other folks in the process. I do this with my doc's blessing. Best wishes. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 282/145/125 (always striving)
   — KimBo36

July 20, 2004
I have always been a blood donor. When I was six months post op, I tried to donate, and was turned down because of low iron. I had my six month check-up a couple of days later, and told my doctor about it. He did some lab work and my iron levels where so low that he almost put me in the hospital! I was anemic! He told me to go out and get FERROUS GLUCONATE and take it with a chewable Vitamin C tablet for one week and then to come back in for some more blood work. In that week, I also had my yearly check-up for my female stuff. That doctor found out that I had a cyst on my ovaries - which was why my blood count was so low. I had to go in for an emergency hysterectomy! Everything is doing great now, but I still have to take my iron and vit c everyday!
   — Danette C.

July 21, 2004
One of the side effects of this surgery is not being able to absorb iron properly, or as well, anyway. One thing you might try is getting more natural iron in your diet, ie: green leafys, etc. Try eating this at the same time as you take your iron supplement or multivitamins, it helps with the absorbtion.
   — christied

July 22, 2004
I am 2 years post-op and have consistently taken Sugar-Free Bugs Bunny Complete every since surgery, 1 in the morning with breakfast and 1 at night with dinner. I have never had a problem with my bloodwork, in fact my doctor said she couldn't be happier. The last time I had my bloodwork done was in May this year. You may want to try switching to the Bugs Bunny vitamins.
   — stacjean

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