have a ? about low iron

ok had my blood work done last thursday and had a copy sent to my pcp he called me tonight and said my iron was real low it was 28 and i need to go see a hemotoligist (sp)what is the normal number for youre iron and cant they just givre you a pill ? thanks in advance :hug: hugs lisa 316/168/150ish

Hey Lisa, Do you know which blood test(like transferrin, ferritin, tibc) it was that you got a 28 level? That makes the biggest difference in determining what is going on. I am beyond a doctor but I have had enough tests run on me that I know somethings.

Do you take an iron supplement everyday? If you're not, you should be. You should probably talk to your surgeon before you go to a hematologist. You might be able to get the levels up by taking iron everyday. I take 56 mg of ferrous sulfate everyday and it's worked well for me. Doesn't even make me constipated. Joanne

Lisa; Iron deficiency is COMMON in WLSers UP TO 47%!!! (men and women, women who menstruate are at highest risk or those w/ preexisting low iron levels!)... This is because basically dietary iron is not being bsorbed by the GUT!...as the usual site of absorbtion, the duodenum and upper jejunum (small intestines) are bypassed and acid is not present in large enough quantities and the decreased intake of dietary iron, and if food is not chewed well enough or thoroughly warmed..... Signs of iron deficiency: http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section11/chapter127/127c.jsp#A011-127-0050 Symptoms and Signs In addition to the usual manifestations of anemia, some symptoms are specific to Fe deficiency. In chronic, severe cases, a patient may have pica (eg, dirt, paint) or pagophagia (a craving for ice); glossitis, cheilosis, and koilonychia; and, rarely, dysphagia associated with a postcricoid esophageal web (see under Obstructive Disorders in Ch. 20). Finally, fatigue and loss of stamina can occur through a separate effect on the tissues (perhaps cellular enzyme dysfunction related to Fe-containing enzymes). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemia/DS00323 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000584.htm ___________________________________________ What Are the Signs and Symptoms? Many people with iron deficiency don't have any signs and symptoms because the body's iron stores are depleted slowly. As the anemia progresses, you may recognize some of the following symptoms in your child: fatigue and weakness pale skin and mucous membranes rapid heartbeat or a new heart murmur (detected in an exam by your child's doctor) irritability decreased appetite dizziness or a feeling of being lightheaded Rarely, a person with iron-deficiency anemia may experience pica, a craving to eat nonfood items such as paint chips, chalk, or dirt. Pica may be caused by a lack of iron in the diet. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/ida.html ____________________________________________________ A full CBC and Iron panel can help diagnose this (iron panel= Iron, ferritin (this is iron stores), TIBC & % saturation).....In iron deficiency the iron is low, TIBC (total iron binding capacity) is high, D+Ferritin is low and %SAT IS LOW... http://labtestsonline.org/index.html good site to put in a test and search for what it means! Now depending on the deficency and how RSISTANT you are will depend on the dose, some sy Ferrous gluconate 300mg 3x day with vit c 500mg 3x day... Mind you many can not abosrb oral iron! Some need diferent forms or a combo! Some will still need iron shots *they can stain* or iron infusions for life!!! Going to a hematologist is in your BEST interest rn there!!!!! If u get too low it is harder to get the ferritin stores up!!! Here are a few rules I complild to maximize iron absorbtion! IRON RULZ 101: a.. take alone empty stomach if u can b.. Take with Vitamin C to aid absorbtion 250-500mg c.. never with calcium (it may/will not be absorbed as calcium wins out!) d.. never with any other vits (except C) *B12 is only exception e.. never with any other meds..wait 1-2 hrs before taking other vits/supps Never with: a.. dairy *this means NEVER with protein shakes sorry! b.. fiber c.. legumes d.. eggs e.. tea or coffee reg or decaf...they all hinder absorption (its the tannins) f. alcohol IF you have to a dry saltine is best to buffer it! (*but us carbaphobics seem to not want to do this!) ***AVOID ferrous sulfate (pouch burner/irritator and most constipating form of iron and not best for absorbtion w/ WLS according to research!) Try Ferrous furmerate, ferrous gluconate, Polysaccharide iron or carbonyl iron, iron lI use ferrous gluconate 300mg tab is the salt weight and is about 35mg elemental IRON, 100 TABS AT WALMART ABOUT $6.... Many swear by vitaladie's tender iron (carbonyl form) www.vitalady.com Be aware more is not always better iron can be toxic so careful monitoring by a medical provider is imperative! I did not become anemi****il I had plastic surgery 18 mo post RNY! The mean time is 20 months to see a iron deficiency....meaning stores continue to drop over time! Take Care, Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"