Low iron despite infusion

Hi all.  I just got back my most recent bloodwork and found that despite my iron infusion, my iron is at 7 (should be between 11-27) and my iron saturation is .1 (should be between .2 -.5).   My hemoglobin, WBC, RBC, hematocrit, and ferritin are all at the low end of normal ranges.  I haven'tbeen chewing ice since I had my last infusion, but I still feel lazy.

Should I try to squeeze in a transfusion before I go in for my hernia surgery (which is coming up quickly on July 27)?  Has anyone had surgery with low iron like that and been okay? The hospital has my results and I've phoned them to see if it's okay that I go through with this, but have yet to hear back from them. 

Also, if my iron sat is so low, how do I get it higher in order to better absorb iron?

I am assuming your iron (Fe) saturation is 10% (0.1) and your lab uses 20-50% (0.2-0.5) as the normal range. Some labs use 15-50%. What was your ferritin?

Usually, you are given weekly infusions of iron for 6-10 weeks to bring your ferritin, iron, and iron sats up to normal levels. I would not expect one treatment to do a thing. Also, testing your blood too close to Fe infusions does not yield accurate results. It is normal to wait 2-3 weeks after the last treatment to get repeat labs.

I would call and speak to the hematologist and get more infusions scheduled. You should also send copies of your bloodwork to the surgeon. He/she might want to postpone your surgery.

There are different types of iron infusions. I needed iron for surgery quickly and the hemo said normally he would do it over several weeks but he could do it faster if i was willing to spend the day. There was more of a risk of allergic reaction but it could be done in one day. So it is possible that she had something more like that.

Mine was supposed to take 3 hours, but took 6, because I had shortness of breath, and then burning vein from the iron. 

Did they put the IV in your hand or in your arm?

My ferritin had actually gone up from using Proferrin, but it was still at 29 (range 10-291). It had been at 10 previous to the Proferrin.  They wanted to test me 3 months after the infusion, so I'm a couple of weeks early.

Supergirl, I just have to say that it is nice to see another Ice chewer .  Before I started my Infusions I was eating ice by the tray.  I could not get enough of it.  People thought I was crazy.  It took two infusions and I no longer chew ice.  I get weekly infusions right now and we will play it by ear to see how long we will have to do this for.  Good luck.

Just wondering why having low iron levels makes you crave chewing ice cubes?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_%28disorder%29

Some anelic people crave other things, like dirt or paper.  I don't think anyone knows why people get such specific cravings from low iron.