Vitamin patch update

(deactivated member)
on 3/22/17 5:44 pm

I had RNY 8-23-16. I started out on Barilife vitamins. I started to feel very weak and started using the PatchMD patch vitamins about 6 weeks ago. 1 multi- vit. patch and 1 iron patch daily. I had blood work done on 12-12-16 and again recently. And the results are:

12-12-16, now; iron 67, 112 Ferritin 24.9, 64 TIBC 329, 375 saturation 20%, 30% calcium 8.9,10.3

Needless to say. I am quite happy with the results!

CerealKiller Kat71
on 3/23/17 3:34 am, edited 3/22/17 8:43 pm
RNY on 12/31/13

Your ferritin is actually quite low. Please keep an eye on that -- I know it may be still "normal" based on the range, but that is considered quite low and many people get infusions when they below 50, and even more below 25. I was referred to a hematologist at 30.

I didn't know or understand this until it became an emergency situation. I had my infusion at 5, I believe. By that time, I was absolutely miserable.

It's almost impossible to raise your iron store once it falls under 30 with just diet and supplementation alone.

Edited to add: I also noticed that your TIBC is high and your saturation is low -- which means that you are actually iron deficient and your body is using your stores (ferritin) which explains why it is low. The fact that your iron is 67 is only because your body is using your stores currently.

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." --- Kat

CerealKiller Kat71
on 3/23/17 3:52 am
RNY on 12/31/13

Wait, are you posting the two levels? It's hard to read -- it looks like it is quite an improvement! Sorry for the confusion.

However, do be sure to remove the patch 3 days before any iron testing. It will give false results (higher) otherwise.

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." --- Kat

CJ On Orcas
on 3/23/17 8:56 am
RNY on 09/09/16

Kat - thanks for posting. I am watching my iron levels and have a 6-mo check-up next week, and am on iron patches. Do you think I should stop using the patches this weekend?

CerealKiller Kat71
on 3/23/17 9:07 am
RNY on 12/31/13

My hematologist has me stop all supplements 3 to 4 days before -- and she is adamant about me removing the patch.

I only use the Patch MD iron when I am low -- because I seem to over absorb it. Not sure why? -- but it's great for me. She likes me to put it near my spine or major hip bone: she states that she's noticed a difference in absorption. She is convinced that it gives false readings if it's used too close to blood work.

I am not sure what she's basing that on -- I've really never looked into any research on it.

I have seen Grim post the same thing, so maybe he has the actual links to the research. :-)

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." --- Kat

(deactivated member)
on 3/23/17 9:26 am

Thank you! Good to know!

Kathy1212
on 3/23/17 8:58 am

A few years ago, my Ferritin levels dropped to 5, and then the next time I went they were unreadable, and all my doctor did was tell me to take extra iron pills. He switched me to a different brand and my levels slowly came up to "normal" but it took ages. I felt awful; no energy, super pale. I should have asked for a referral to a specialist but didn't even know that was an option at the time.

I go for my next blood tests in 2 months time.

Pre-Op Visit: Jan. 10, 2017, weight 304, surgeon: Dr. David Lindsay, St. Joe's, Toronto

1st Day of (3 weeks worth of) Optifast: Jan. 11, 2017

Surgery Date: Feb. 1st, 2017

  Kathy  

CerealKiller Kat71
on 3/23/17 9:01 am
RNY on 12/31/13

Omg, you poor dear -- you must have felt absolutely terrible.

I actually was terrified that something was incredibly wrong with me -- I was "foggy" and forgetful -- had anxiety for the first time in my entire life. I felt weak, tired, and had headaches constantly... at that was somewhere in the mid-20's!

"What you eat in private, you wear in public." --- Kat

Kathy1212
on 3/23/17 11:54 am

I had all of those symptoms too. I told the doctor it felt like I had a flu that would never go away. When my Vitamin D was super low, I had aches and pains all over, and it was low for years without my even knowing until I needed bloodwork for RNY surgery.

Pre-Op Visit: Jan. 10, 2017, weight 304, surgeon: Dr. David Lindsay, St. Joe's, Toronto

1st Day of (3 weeks worth of) Optifast: Jan. 11, 2017

Surgery Date: Feb. 1st, 2017

  Kathy  

Sarahakers11
on 3/23/17 8:52 am - Culpeper, VA
RNY on 06/04/13 with

Those are good improvements! I just had mine blood work done and notice my iron and saturation were lower but my TIBC and UIBC are higher (all in a normal range but on the low side of it) which is indicative of the start of an iron deficiency. Its great that you keep trending data..thats important.

HW - 297  start of Pre-op - 290.2   SW- 279.2   GW - 145    

    The Depressed Hiker Blog

A middle aged over the hump and over what "I'm suppose to do" woman, with the wild spirit and a nasty case of depression and anxiety!

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