Re: Re: Iron decicient anemia

[Guest guest]

Fran,

Have you and your doctor talked about a hysterectomy to stop your periods? I am

anemic, have extra heavy flow, and fibrods and my gyn is sending me to a surgeon

to see about a hyster. to stop the bleeding (I'm 48). I'm curious what your

thoughts are on this.

Helene

superfran100@... wrote:

>

>

> I am 3 years post op, proximal RNY. I have the same problem as you-SEVERE

> iron deficiency, normal B12 & folate/folic acid. In fact the B12 and folic

> acid have gone UP in the past year--I take B12 sublingually (Under tongue)

> and some heavy duty vitamin/mineral supplements. Very weird, I know, but it

> CAN happen, even though most docs would argue the point-I am living proof.

> When I first was diagnosed with severe anemia and had my first blood

> transfusion 2 years ago, my PCP ordered all kinds of tests because he simply

> could NOT believe that I did not have a GI bleed. He also had me thoroughly

> check out gynecolically to make sure nothing was wrong there, either.

> Everything was perfectly normal.

>

> I will say this much--I have always had very regular, EXTREMELY heavy periods

> since I was 12 years old-I am now 52 and STILL have them, every single month!

> I was moderately anemic for many years , with a red blood cell count of

> between 9.5 and 10, even before my surgery, most likely because of this

> monthly heavy blood loss. SO when I lost more iron after the RNY, I diped

> down to very low levels-between 6 & 7. Perhaps that is your problem too-maybe

> you were already somewhat anemic pre-op? I just had a procedure done 3 months

> ago to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding-it's called an endometrial abalation.

> Most people have great success with it, and it's not painful--unfortunately

> it did not significantly reduce my menstrual bleeding, but I am the

> exception, not the rule.

>

> If you want to chat about your iron issues, post to me privately and I will

> give you all the info I can. I have been dealing with this for over 2 years

> now. By the way, I have had 2 dexa scans since my RNY surgery- the first one

> after 1.5 years, and the second one just last month--my bone density is very

> good. So, since we malabsorb calcium and iron from the same area of the

> digestive tract ( I believe?), you would expect me to be calcium deficient as

> well, which only furthers my theory that much of my iron damage was

> pre-surgical. Your body has 2 kinds of iron--circulating and

> stored(ferritin). My ferritin level is 1--which means I essentially have no

> stored iron. Any iron that I can manage to get-from supplements, IV

> treatments, transfusions, just gives a temporary boost to the circulating

> iron. It is never enough to replace the stored iron. I, for one, am PRAYING

> for menopause LOL!!

>

> Hope this helps,

> Fran

>

>