Question:
How long does it take to build up iron levels?
how long does it take to build up your iron levels? recently my surgery was canceled due to severe anemia. i have been put on almost 1000mg of ferrous sulfate.2 weeks,a month, can any one give some ideas on what can help bring up the iron level fast — [Anonymous] (posted on March 6, 2002)
March 6, 2002
Even though you are not yet post-op, other iron forms might bring you up
faster, better absorbed. Also, iron + C, no milk, no caffeine, no other
meds, vites or minerals, no antacids. They need to be alone together for
about an hour.
— vitalady
March 7, 2002
I am also anemic and am taking a lot of iron to get my levels up before
surgery. My PCP says it takes 2-4 weeks to really see an improvement on
blood tests. Although in the past I have eaten a bowl of Total Cereal for
a week prior to donating blood and it has put me quite a bit over the
cut-off (otherwise I always fail). But, it's important for surgery, so
take as much time as your body needs. I would recommend eating Total
though!
— emilyfink
March 7, 2002
This answer is a little unlike the others, but i was desperate for my
surgery, and sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. I
didn't want to wait, and I couldn't afford to reschedule the vacation time.
No one at my job knew I was having the surgery so I chose another option.
My surgeon gave me a blood transfusion exactly one week before my surgery.
I don't know how anemic you are, but my Hemoglobin was 8 before the
transfusion, and about 10 or 11 afterwards which would be a hematocrit of
24 before, and 33 afterwards, when the norm is around 38 for hematocrit,
and 13 for hemoglobin. It does come with certain other risks though, but
if you trust your hospital, and your surgeon, and yourself enough to do it
that is another option. Now it is up to your surgeon. He or she may not
do blood transfusions before, so mine did. Just giving you another option.
Hope this helps.
— tjmoore
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