Iron Deficiency and IV Iron

[I-Did-WHAT]

Oh boy. Ferritin levels are considered normal between 11 and 300. Iron has always been a challenge due to PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and the resulting amenorrhea. I had an ablation in June, the month after my gastric bypass. It seems successful, so I've eliminated that blood loss.

My ferritin was 28 before surgery and is 6 as of two weeks ago. I have six weeks to bring levels up. I'm taking two 325 mgs of iron twice a day with vitamin C at each dose (this is a doctor-ordered dose and very high!). This must be taken four hours from calcium, which is required twice a day for gastric bypass patients. Fun to juggle.

I also have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), so eating greens means they are not digested (they come out looking the same as they went in). We have a Vitamix and I'm so thankful. We've developed a green shake recipe that is completely blended, has spinach and kale in addition to whole fruits (high in vitamin C) blended in so it tastes darned good.

Does anyone have IV iron supplements? This is what they're determined to give me if my iron levels aren't normal in six weeks. Side effects? How you do you feel afterward? I understand these have to be administered every three weeks. blah

 

[Kim M]

Hi, I have to take iron supplements and they are hard on the stomach I find. I have never heard of IV iron. My coworker had bypass 3 years ago and is so low in iron, because she does not take her vitamins, that they told her they might have to give her a blood transfusion. I was throwing my iron pills at her the other day at work. Are you feeling really fatigued? Wishing the best and hoping that your levels go up.

 

[I-Did-WHAT]

Hello, Kim, and thank you for your response. In addition to IV iron, they also have iron shots given at the same three-week interval. I don't want a transfusion, so I'm willing to do most anything else.

The fatigue is incredible. At least my thyroid levels came up to an acceptable level before the gastric bypass or I'd be in serious lag mode. I bruise at the slightest injury, not that I care because as far as I know there is no permanent problems with bruising; it is just inconvenient. I cover up anyway because I've had melanoma.

Your co-worker is in serious health trouble if she refuses to take her regular required vitamin supplements for a gastric bypass. The consequences are severe as the body simply cannot absorb all it needs from food, especially calcium and vitamin B-12. Iron is just another problem to add to the heap. I'm sorry you're feeling so concerned and yet she needs someone to reinforce the importance of taking what she has been prescribed. You can't "make up" the vitamins and water you've missed out on. I mean, going through the bariatric process and then not taking care of yourself—what a waste. And it takes 7 years for all the cells in one's body to completely cycle to new cells.

If you haven't, you might try "gentle iron" tablets. They are digested far more easily than ferrous sulfate (regular iron) and the gentle iron is available most anywhere (including Amazon.com, Walmart, etc.). Vitamin C with the iron is a must since vitamin C washes out of your body every day. If you or your friend have access to a nutritionist, be sure to use them as an indispensable resource as I'm just a commoner.