iron levels and bruising

For the last few months, I have noticed assorted bruises that I have no idea how they got there. I let my surgeon know, so we did iron and blood levels. They are as follows:

TIBC (228-428)   10/4/11  285       5/5/12    318
UIBC (110-370)   10/4/11  195       5/5/12    246
iron  (30-160)       10/4/11  90         5/5/12    72 
iron sat (18-50)    10/4/11  32         5/5/12    23
Ferritin (8-120)     7/19/11  19.9      3/6/12    28.8
Some of my older ferritin levels are as follows:  6/2/09    134, 12/1/09   49, 6/15/10   13.4

My hemoglobin has been fine so far at 13.9.
The normal is in parenthesis. I had been taking Bariatric Advantage iron with vit c for the last two months. It is the 60 mg daily iron. I was unable to tolerate it due to the severe constipation.

I had my original surgery in Jan 09 with the band, had an emergency band repair in Jan 10, revision to RNY on 11/29/11. 

I know most of the numbers don't look to bad. But I have fatigue all the time and have a sleeping problem also.   They were talking about sending me to a hematologist to discuss iron infusions depending on what my numbers showed, so will also see what they think.

Steph

Im curious what others will say.

I just went to review my numbers with my nut this past Monday. Im waiting to hear back from the dr office about an infusion myself. My numbers are:

Iron Saturation 12
Iron Serum 55
Ferritin 5

In the mean time, she had me order BA Iron chews, 60 mg 3x Day. Those come with the VitC to help absorption. I ordered them express delivery. Hopefully they will be here today or tomorrow.

YOU NEED INFUSIONS.  Good luck.

I was taking the BA iron chews 60mg daily and couldn't tolerate them. Had severe constipation.You need iron infusions.

Those don't have enough vitamin C to actually help with absorption.  You need 200 mg C for every 30 mg iron in order for it to help.

I was taking 250 of vitamin C along with the iron pill, but can't tolerate them anyway.

Thanks Kelly, I did write that down when you told me last time. I do have extra C at home and will add them. f

 Yeah,...... I belive based on my personal experience u need an infusion. My ferritin was a 7 and I had to get one. It jumps up fairly quickly.  GoodLuck!

The bruising may also be due to low vit K levels.  Mine was.  Low platelets count.

But it looks like you may be OK with iron supplements. Your iron- ferritin went from 20 to 28 with supplementation.
Iron infusions are a quick fix - but they do carry risk of allergic reaction.   Also make sure they check copper levels. - sometimes copper is what is too low.
Beside that - what is your vit B12 level? and D3? how about proteins?

My platelet count yesterday was 229.
My Vit B12 on 3/6/12 was 1216.
My vit D on 3/6/12 was 40. I have since doubled my vit D intact to 4000 daily. My doctor didn't want to increase it more than that initially.
My protein on 3/6/12 was 7.0.