Iron supplements and increased appetite
I am two years out from my VSG and have been maintaining well at about 147-148. I went on a 4-day trip to Boston, walked a lot and didn't eat much and was down to 146, but I expected to bounce back up to 148 or so.
Upon my return, I began taking Integra-F, a prescription iron supplement that is the equivalent of 125 mg. of elemental iron. I have extremely low ferritin levels and have taken IV iron in the past (which I love). However, my ferritin levels must drop 8 more points to be considered "critical" by the insurance companies, so the doc has me taking the Integra to try to help boost it.
In the past 5 days, I do seem to think more clearly and not feel exhausted all of the time. However, my appetite is out of control! I am freaking out. In five days, I've gained 6.5 lbs. Some of this is probably due to constipation from the iron supplements, but I do think part is from my increased appetite. I'm trying to make good choices, but I absolutely do not feel full, which is bizarre. So I did a little research online and apparently, an increased appetite is the norm for anemic patients on iron. I did not have this issue with the IV iron.
I am seriously concerned and I will stop taking my iron supplements if this is the result. I have worked too hard and too long to let this happen. Has anyone had increased appetite from iron supplementation? I haven't consumed enough calories to gain 6.5 lbs in five days, but something is definitely not right.
I don't know why you gained so much so fast, could be water as the other poster said. However, I can tell you that iron supplements increase my appetite as well. Last year, before VSG, I was on a doctor-assisted diet and they monitored my blood every month. When I came up slightly anemic (as I often do), they prescribed iron, and I would say after I'd been taking it about 7-10 days or so, I started feeling hungry ALL the time... it was a very restrictive diet, and after being on it for four months, I was suddenly starving and couldn't stick to the small portions of the diet anymore. It was definitely related to the increased iron.
