I finally got my labs done!
I had surgery on July 1, 2010.. so, I am almost two years out. I lost my medical coverage right after I had surgery, and I couldn't afford to get my labs done. I was in a PANIC! Ok, so finally.. I found a place that did my labs for a donation of $40. Everything was good (except for the fact that I am still anemic. I was anemic before surgery, but even that has improved slightly). So, the doctor had me up my daily iron and told me that other than that... keep up the good work!!
I will be getting Tricare Prime in September, so I will be able to keep up on my labs from here on out. I am so happy and so relieved!
I will be getting Tricare Prime in September, so I will be able to keep up on my labs from here on out. I am so happy and so relieved!
I am happy for you. can I ask you a question - did you get a copy? If not, please as for one because many times our doctors tell us everything is fine when in fact they aren't. Being anemic can be due to many things it can be due to Iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, folate deficiency - those are the most common - it can also be caused from copper deficiency and B6.
B12 - many doctors tell us that as long as we are in the range of 200-900 that we are fine but that isnt the case - anything below 500 puts us at risk for nerve damage and we actually want to be at atleast 1200-1800 and can go as high as 2000. Going too high is no danger - you just pee it out but not enough causes nerve damage and for too long it can be permanent. If you start to feel pins and needles with numbness - that means the nerve damage has started.
B1 - you also want to be at the top or over for the same reason, if too low, causes nerve damage. Most labs have a range of 9-44 and you want to be atleast 35 and preferably 40 or over.;
Vitamin D - you want to be optimal like 80-100 but atleast 60, being normal at 30-40 is way too low and puts you at risk for osteoporosis
there are so many more like this- if you get your labs - you can either post them or PM me and I can go over them with you.
again, I am so happy that you finally got your labs and that you are finally getting your insurance back. One of your first appointments should be with your surgeon for a post op appointment
You said your doctor said to up your daily iron - what iron are you taking?? if it has ferrous in the name, you will never absorb it - you could take half the bottle daily and nothing would happen - you dont have enough acid in your pouch to absorb that type of iron. the best types of iron for us are carbonyl iron with vitamin C and heme = heme is very expensive so it is saved for last resorts . The carbonyl iron is the great first line iron and pretty cheap. You get them at vitalady.com called Tender irons - They come in 60mg capsules with 400mg of vitamin C - the proper combination and the only place that has the proper combination - all the bariatricsites that sell the carbonyl iron, sell it with too little vitamin C, so it is practically impossible to absorb it all/ The tender irons are $30 for a bottle of 400, so if you take the average dose of 2-5 per day depending on how low your iron and ferritin are - the bottle can last anywhere from 3 - 7 months. I take 3 at bedtime and I have a ferritin of 100 which is really good. you can take all of them in 1 dose at bedtime just take them atleast 2-4 hours apart from any calcium, thyroid medications.
B12 - many doctors tell us that as long as we are in the range of 200-900 that we are fine but that isnt the case - anything below 500 puts us at risk for nerve damage and we actually want to be at atleast 1200-1800 and can go as high as 2000. Going too high is no danger - you just pee it out but not enough causes nerve damage and for too long it can be permanent. If you start to feel pins and needles with numbness - that means the nerve damage has started.
B1 - you also want to be at the top or over for the same reason, if too low, causes nerve damage. Most labs have a range of 9-44 and you want to be atleast 35 and preferably 40 or over.;
Vitamin D - you want to be optimal like 80-100 but atleast 60, being normal at 30-40 is way too low and puts you at risk for osteoporosis
there are so many more like this- if you get your labs - you can either post them or PM me and I can go over them with you.
again, I am so happy that you finally got your labs and that you are finally getting your insurance back. One of your first appointments should be with your surgeon for a post op appointment
You said your doctor said to up your daily iron - what iron are you taking?? if it has ferrous in the name, you will never absorb it - you could take half the bottle daily and nothing would happen - you dont have enough acid in your pouch to absorb that type of iron. the best types of iron for us are carbonyl iron with vitamin C and heme = heme is very expensive so it is saved for last resorts . The carbonyl iron is the great first line iron and pretty cheap. You get them at vitalady.com called Tender irons - They come in 60mg capsules with 400mg of vitamin C - the proper combination and the only place that has the proper combination - all the bariatricsites that sell the carbonyl iron, sell it with too little vitamin C, so it is practically impossible to absorb it all/ The tender irons are $30 for a bottle of 400, so if you take the average dose of 2-5 per day depending on how low your iron and ferritin are - the bottle can last anywhere from 3 - 7 months. I take 3 at bedtime and I have a ferritin of 100 which is really good. you can take all of them in 1 dose at bedtime just take them atleast 2-4 hours apart from any calcium, thyroid medications.
ALWAYS get a copy of your lab results. You state your anemic and you had to "up your iron". There are a select few female patients who do not seem to absorb oral iron supplementation. When you get insurance, see if your iron levels are any better. If not, you might discuss iron infusions to increase your levels. DAVE
Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.
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