Labs after plastics--iron opinions

I'm 6 weeks out from my plastics. My hemoglobin and hematocrit were low going into surgery. Had a hematocrit of 33 and a hemoglobin of 10. Post surgery I had a hematocrit of 27 and a hemoglobin of 9. Just had my labs re-run because my healing is taking longer than expected and I feel EXHAUSTED.

Results of the iron studies that were ordered (hopefully nothing major is missing):

Ferritin-18
TIBC-354
Serum iron-14
hematocrit-31.6
hemoglobin-9.3

Also, my B-12 that was 800 jumped to over 2000 when I started taking 5K mcg per day from my 2500 per day. So I will be backing off that to the 2500/day again.

Vit D was 115. I take 50,000IU 6x week. Might drop to 5x--depends what my OH gurus and my research reveals.

I had been taking Proferrin 3x per day prior to surgery. I upped it to 4x per day after the plastics. Might there be an infusion in my future. I just want to feel better and get better.

Thanks!!!

Denise

 

I would cut back the B12, like you say.  I don't know if I'd cut back the D3 or not.  115 is a great number for vitamin D.  It would be fine if it stayed there but I wouldn't want it to drop any.  You know what I did with my D3?  I was taking 50,000 IU four times a week and it was about 140 last time I had labs done and I started doing it three times one week, four times the next, three the next, etc.  Except sometimes I think I forget which week I'm on so I may not always alternate perfectly.  But anyway, that's my plan.

I'm gonna suggest you email Michelle (vitalady) and ask about the iron.  You obviously need to get it up.  I'm just not sure of the best way to do that..

Denise


My dr did my infusions when my ferretin got to 8.  Most dr's will order them when they get that low.

Its crazy that your iron is that low taking the proferrin.  I know from Andrea that you can take proferrin and a regular iron. 


Tamara

Hi Denise,

I actually started with ferritin levels at 4.2.. now I am at 11.4 as of September, I used Proferrin for 2 mos and then used Vitalady's tender iron. Iron is the hardest to increase..I used to take proferrin 3xs a day.. After 2 months, I switched to 5 - 60 mg of tender iron. I take 2 in the morning, 3 at night.. by themselves no caffeine, calcium, tannins, fiber etc. In my monthly testing, my ferritin only went up by 2 points with Proferrin and 3 points with Vitaladys. I figure the Vitaladys Iron is less expensive and it seems Ferritin only increasing at a slow rate anyway.. I have heard and researched the infusions but my dr says as long as we are going in the righ direction then.. lets stay the course..

I was reading some literature on iron deficieny.. Infusions are very temporary..Most WLS anemics will stay anemic because of non compliance. I thought it was har****hink they were trying to say that once we "feel" better we stop taking all the iron..Then when we realize how crappy we feel .. its too late.
 
Andrea blogged about her experience with Proferrin.. and Vitalady has a regime.. her Iron levels are awesome.. I personally suffer from heavy TOM so that complicates it a little bit.

Good luck !

Michelle
Michelle