Those who have had an iron infusion...
I have a history of low Ferritin, as low as a 3 years ago. There has been no cause other than the fact that I have autoimmune issues. I had my RNY in Oct of last year and in January my Ferritin was 11. I started taking 200-300 mg of carbonyl iron a day after that. I was tested again about three weeks ago and it is now down to a 7. I remember how awful I felt at a 3 and I am starting to feel some of the issues while at a 7. I did not get an infusion in the past, but I feel like I want to this time and get this addressed.
Get an infusion - stat! No haematologist worth his salt would allow you to exist with those ferritin numbers - you are under the care of a haematologist, aren't you because those numbers are NOT the realm of a PCP or Bariatric surgeon - they require a specialist!
My worst was < 2 (undetectable by lab) and I felt like I wanted to die ... I had two infusions 18 months apart - the last one was 3 years ago and I was hovering around 30 last summer - now I'm no longer having periods and I take pro-ferrin 2 x per day I seem to be doing well. I am due to be tested this month but I feel perfectly fine!
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
on 6/17/14 1:30 pm - WI
My Ferritin was 10 when I had my first infusion. My hematologist re-tested me 1 month later and I was at 115. Six months later I was back down to 30. My doctor would not let me go any lower and scheduled infusion number two. I had that last August. In November my Ferritin was over 300. I'm due to be tested again. The Hematologist told me that I should not let my Ferritin go below 50. He's VERY proactive and I'm pretty happy that he is!
Get the infusion ASAP...you will feel so much better.
Well this has me worried now lol. My Ferritin is 16. I have surgery on July 2, revision from sleeve to bypass. I'm currently taking Ferrous Sulfate 3x per day, all I know is I'm dragging ass. It doesn't matter how much sleep I get, I'm exhausted. Not to mention it's the middle of summer and I am forever wearing a sweater or long sleeves.
I get about 3-4 infusions per year. My low iron was discovered right before my RNY. My hematologist says it is because I have heavy periods. Anyway-I agree with the others. You will feel much better once you have one! My hematologist checks my levels every 3 months to see if I need one or not.
Pam :)