iron deficient anemia

July 31, 2002

Hi Folks!

Okay, this one has me stumped, and I've been doing serious research

too.

I learned last friday that I am severely anemic. (docs words.) After

a bunch of additional tests, it has become clear that I have iron

deficiency anemia (IDA to medical folks.)

My first thought was, well of course I am - I'm a gastric bypass

patient. (5 ft bypassed).

He said, not so fast, if my body were not absorbing iron that the

chances are very high that I would be b12 and folate challenged as

well. But I'm not. Those levels are fine. Corresponding blood

counts show there are no deficits in those areas. He said that it is

possible that my anemia is unrelated to surgery, and that it could be

caused by a bleed in my gi somewhere.

Anybody else had this combination of issues? Anyone else have doc due

all the testing only to find out they were ONLY iron anemic? and not

b12 deficient?

I had the blood work done due to pain in my right abdomin. Could this

be an ulcer in the old stomach? Anyone had that?

All to weird.

Oh yeah, and my calcium was low...so dexascan after we figure out the

anemia issue.

Probably going to get to undergo endo and colo scopes. BUMMMMMER!

Thanks for any and all input.

August 1, 2002

Hi ,

I have been going through severe iron deficiency for the last six months

(discovered). What are your lab values? Your hg and hct and also your

ferritin? I have been getting iron IV three times a week, and now down to once

a week, for maintenance. The hematologist said virtually I had " no " iron and I

am not absorbing it. The iron IV will probably be for life on a maintenance

schedule.

My B12 at the time was 135, which is low for us, and I do get B12 once a month

in the form of shots and I am taking B12 sublingual (when I remember). My

calcium and protein and albumin were also low, thus I had malnutrition. Yes, I

was a very bad girl and wasn't doing supplements and I am 6 1/2 years out.

However, I AM a VERY good girl now and I do watch my diet and limit the carbos

and do 150-180 g of protein a day. I also take vitamins. I do feel better, and

get my iron IV once a week but my hg now is only 11.3 and I STILL cannot hit

that " 12 " mark. My PCP would like it to be more like 14, as my ferritin was

only 2 (my iron storage). The hematologist said that my hg is still stealing

from the storage (ferritin) and thus will take at least 6 months to get it

totally built up. The B12 works with the iron in that the B12 is stored in the

liver. You may not see abnormal lab values of either your protein, B12 or

calcium as the blood values " steal " from the organs to keep those up (from

layman's terms). I am scheduled for a Dexascan also, as I have had teeth

breaking right and left, although my calcium was still in the " normal " range,

but I broke 4 teeth and had to have 5 root canals in the matter of about 7

weeks. My protein level PREop was 7.2, and I was down to 6.1 but now " hover "

around 6.7. My surgeon wants us to be at preop levels, and I aint there yet.

I did go through the GI work-up to see if I was bleeding, and the doc didn't

find out anything wrong, thank goodness. Just as the hematologist said " I was

not absorbing iron " . I am a distal gastric bypass, transsected stomach,

original surgery 12/95, revision for SLD 3/99 and TT 12/99. Original weight was

275, lowest weight 145, and now go between 152 and 158. I WANT the 145 back

again :-), but I have to get my butt in gear and start exercising, I'm sure, and

frankly, due to the severe anemia, I haven't moved a whole lot!

Good luck!

B

August 1, 2002