Low Iron!!???

Well, I got my PAT's back from the plastic surgeon and he says I am still low in my hemoglobin! Now I have done my research, but have no experience with this! I don't know whether it is the low iron or the b12 causing the low iron that is the problem. I also found out that tea and coffee are iron absorption inhibitors, which I did not know and drink tons of tea a day. I wonder if it is the caffeine in these items that is the problem or the drink itself, anyone know? I only drink one caffinated beverage a day and then the rest is herbal. Well, today I go to the hemotologist and see if he wants to give me iron infusion for my hernia repair and plastic surgery coming up. I do not want them to put it off! I have waited forever for this and waiting would send me into such a depression! Well maybe they can fix me up and I won't be so tired and cold all of the time. I am freezing constantly and have NO energy. I can manage to get through stuff, but it is hard on me. My work weekends (every two weeks third shift for 4 days) about kill me! It takes me a week to recover and by that time I have to go back to work!! Any advice or ideas would be helpful. I do take my vitamins and an iron supplement from the doc, but don't really know anything about the diet to up iron. Wendy

Wendy, Only the hematologist can tell you if the low hgb is due to low iron or B12 adsorption. They need to look at a blood smear. B12 deficiency makes huge red cells Iron deficiency makes small red cells However, I'm not sure what cells look like in the bariatric patient. Also, the blood indices RDW from the CBC will help them tell. Jeanne

Thank you Jeanne. I just got back from there and they are going to do an iron infusion on me and they took so much blood, I figure they need to double infuse me LOL! I hope they get an answer for me soon. Wendy

Wendy - I'm glad that you found out what they needed to do. I think I remember that if your level was 12 or higher then they'll continue on with surgery (tt). The iron infusion isn't that much - just time consuming. Mine was 7 1/2 hours long!!!! Bring a book!!!!! Laurie

LOL! I had the supposedly short one friday and it was 4 hours! I have to have 3 more next week, but they think this will give me the boost I need for surgery. Wendy