Seeking knowledge about lab values

Can anyone recommend a website or book that can help me to understand my blood work results? I want to understand more about how my diet affects my blood values. I also want to know about long term effects of abnormal lab values. I understand some basics such as low calcium leading to bone loss etc. but I know there is so much more... I have tried searching on google, you tube and various online courses. I am even open to taking online courses to improve my knowledge. I am located in Ontario, Canada so would prefer websites that take this into consideration.

Thanks in advance

Christene

I don't know any websites... I learned bits and pieces here and there.. And a lot from vets... A lot... 

Andrea used to post here. 

Ask your doctor. Mine explains everything when I ask.

I know you had a different WLS, but you can get some really good info about vitamins and how they interact on a Facebook group called Duodenal Switch Patients. There are some real vitamin gurus who post there---just be sure to state that you had the RNY rather than the DS, because our diet and nutritional needs are a bit different. Another good website is www.bariatricfacts.org.

It's wonderful that you're seeking to educate yourself! So many WLS patients don't. I'm surprised we don't see more people having nutritional problems than we do. Take calcium, for instance---you can't absorb it, no matter how much you take, unless you have a sufficiently high Vitamin D level. And because of your RNY, you malabsorb a per centage of the fat you eat---which also means you're malabsorbing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. (You need to take a 'dry' formulation of these.)

I also keep a spread sheet with all my lab values (from bariatric and other specialists) and then I can compare them to see if there are "trends" especially downward.  The lab "normal range" values are very general for all populations and not specifically for bariatric patients.

I've found I've had to do my own research, know my own diagnoses and have to  be my own advocate.  I'm 6 1/2 years post RNY and years ago there were more "vets" that gave valuable information about knowing what lab values meant and what were best for RNY patients - but sadly, those vets aren't active on the OH boards anymore.

My general practitioner is not educated in bariatrics and expects me to know what's going on and what meds I can't take, absorb, etc.

Best wishes,

Penny

Trends are INCREDIBLY important. If your last 3 or 4 values have been dropping, they WILL end up too low. Why wait to make an adjustment, when you can prevent it from ever being a problem?

Excellent advice overall.