severe anemia

anyone else have this problem? I'm almost 2 years out. My doc is sending me to a hematologist for further consult. Possiblity of IV iron. Little scared. Any help?

Hi I have anemia too and low iron deficeincy. I take iron everyday. But I am still cold. Let me know how you make out.. marie

Hi, I also have severe anemia from an iron and B1 defiency. I have gotten IV drips from the hematologist as well. I actually have my next round starting next week. All you do is sit in her office with the drip in your arm usually for 5 days in a row(depending) and then you are good to go for awhile. It isnt so bad. The worse thing about it is its boring and time consuming. You dont get any side affects from it if that is what you are worried about besides boredom during it! Hee-Hee. Good luck and be well!

DONT have issues with anemia yet but wanted to wish you well! sorry your on the anemic side....

Best of luck to you. Sorry you are dealing with this issue. But as Tavia said its just a pain more then anything. However very important. Please keep us posted. LisaMarie

Jessica: I developed mild anemia after my Plastic Surgery. Oral iron helped me get back on track but I will need it for life probably. WLSers are at a higher risk for aneamia due to the bypass as well menstruating females are at a higher risk. Sometimes wlsers cannot absorb oral iron, and have to trial many different forms (Fumarate, gluconate, polysaccharide, chelated, carbonyl) and sometimes the s/e (GI upset, constipation) are too severe. WHEN the iron stores (Ferritin) drop too low it is near impossible to get it out of the toilet w/o IV iron infusions. I recommend that you talk to others who have gone this route, not scary just time consuming setting it up and it may well be something you do periodically for life if you can't get theferritin up enough that you can tolerate/use oral iron. I am not sure exact number/% of wlsers who become iron deficient. What I have in front of me reads 30-50% (for proximal and distal RNYers). Iron is usually absorbed in the duodenum & 1st part of jejunum so either surgery bypasses this (prox or distal) ...RESEARCH ON PARTIALSUBTOTAL GASTRECTOMIES OF OLD OVER 20 YRS AGO SHOWS SAME THING... 50% DEVELOP IRON DEFICIENCIES the stats cited in the 2 books I have right now (Obesity Surgery ISBN 0-07-140640-9 Surgery for the Morbidly obese and update ISBN 0-9684426-1-7). There are several types of anemias and protein malnutrition has a lot to do with these as does B12 (40%), Folate (18%) etc... One source Caring for the surgical wt loss pt ISBN 097422161-9 does say a ferritin of 40 is desired (NO LOWER). Iron def usually is seen in first 6 mo of bypass, but any trauma can trigger it (such as huge blood loss with another surgery, in my case plastics). Iron def can happen as a result of alteration in dieting alone, or bleeding form the GI system also (ulcers etc)! IT IS GOOD practice to rule out any site of bleeding before assuming it is the WLS causing!!! Not heating food or chewing thoroughly enough compounded with decreased gastric acidity in a wlser is a recipe for many to develop issues (esp. those menstruating females!) _______________________________________________________ There are many types and potential causes of anemia. For information about a specific type of anemia, see one of the following articles: a.. Anemia - B12 deficiency b.. Anemia - folate deficiency c.. Anemia - iron deficiency d.. Anemia due to chronic disease e.. Hemolytic anemia f.. Hemolytic anemia - G-6-PD deficiency g.. Idiopathic aplastic anemia h.. Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia i.. Immune hemolytic anemia j.. Immune hemolytic anemia - drug-induced k.. Megaloblastic anemia l.. Pernicious anemia m.. Secondary aplastic anemia n.. Sickle cell anemia testing is based on previous testing to find CAUSE: A good start wiht labwork is: CBC w/ differential, B12, Folate, Serum iron, TIBC, Ferritin, % sat, Folate, **Doctors diagnose anemia with the help of a medical history, physical exam and blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) to measure levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood.** http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch172/ch172a.html http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/anemia-3.html http://www.anemia.org/patients/educationsheets/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anemia.html http://www.anemiainstitute.org/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00321 http://www.anemia.com/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000560.htm ________________________ http://www.calabell.com/hn/Supp/Iron.htm#Supp-Forms Many foods, beverages, and supplements have been shown to affect the absorption of iron.50 Foods, beverages and supplements that interfere with iron absorption include · Green tea (Camellia sinensis).51 52 53 54 This effect may be desirable for people with iron overload diseases, such as hemochromatosis. The inhibitory effect of green tea on iron absorption was 26% in one study.55 · Coffee (Coffea arabica, C. robusta).56 57 58 · Red wine, particularly the polyphenol component (also found in tea).59 60 Since wine is also a dietary source of iron, it is not clear whether drinking red wine would lead to a deficiency of iron. · Phytate (phytic acid), found in unleavened wheat products such as matzoh, pita, and some rye crackers; in wheat germ, oats, nuts, cacao powder, vanilla extract, beans, and many other foods, and in IP-6 supplements.61 62 63 · Whole wheat bran, independent of its phytate content, has been shown to inhibit iron absorption.64 · Calcium from food and supplements interferes with heme-iron absorption.65 66 · Soy protein.67 68 · Eggs.69 70 Foods and supplements that increase iron absorption include · Meat, poultry, and fish.71 72 73 74 75 Although vitamin C increases iron absorption,76 77 78 79 the effect is relatively minor.80 Taking vitamin A with iron helps treat iron deficiency, since vitamin A improves the absorption and/or utilization of iron.81 82 Although soy protein has been shown to decrease iron absorption (see above), certain soy-containing foods (e.g. tofu, miso, tempeh) have significantly improved iron absorption.83 Some soy sauces may also enhance iron absorption.84 Alcohol, but not red wine, has been reported to increase the absorption of ferric, but not ferrous, iron.85 86 Iron has been reported to potentially interfere with manganese absorption. In one trial, women with high iron status had relatively poor absorption of manganese.87 In another trial studying manganese/iron interactions in women, increased intake of "non-heme iron"--the kind of iron found in most supplements--decreased manganese status.88 These interactions suggest that taking multiminerals that include manganese may protect against manganese deficiencies that might otherwise be triggered by taking isolated iron supplements. Are there any drug interactions? Certain medicines may interact with iron. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Follow-Up of Nutritional and Metabolic Problems After Bariatric Surgery http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=126050 (SNIPIT ON IRON FROM THIS ARTICLE) Iron deficiency Iron deficiency after gastric bypass is usually only seen in menstruating women. Ferritin or iron levels and erythrocyte counts need to be monitored, as iron deficiency can develop early after surgery or years later; one study found that iron stores continuously declined up to 7 years after bypass surgery (15). Due to bypass of the lower stomach, it is very difficult for iron- deficient patients to absorb sufficient oral iron. Intramuscular iron can be impractical over the long run. At our institution, intravenous iron dextran or iron sucrose is used regularly; many patients require intravenous iron several times a year. This is done as an outpatient procedure and is well tolerated by patients. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/ http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ossg-anemia/ http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-vitamins-minerals/ http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/BariatricSurgeryandIronDeficiency/ Herees some groups that may help. (Grads def. many there w. this issue) Be well. I am glad PCP is sending u to a hemotologist, if you want some info on this email me at [email protected] I will send a fewfiles I have on it! Be well IRON RULZ 101: · take alone empty stomach if u can · Take with Vitamin C to aid absorbtion 250-500mg · never with calcium (it may/will not be absorbed as calcium wins out!) · never with any other vits (except C) *B12 is only exception · never with any other meds..wait 1-2 hrs before taking other vits/supps Never with: · dairy *this means NEVER with protein shakes sorry! · fiber · legumes · eggs · tea or coffee reg or decaf...they all hinder absorption (its the tannins) IF you have to a dry saltine is best to buffer it! Take Care, Jamie 100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY 320(preop)/163 (lowest)/174 (current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/ "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"