Lab concerns -- low ferritin / low protein / high b12?

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I see the doctor tomorrow to review my month 3 labs but they were posted online through a patient portal and most look fantastic except I am very low in ferritin and like double the B12 I should be. I supplement with B12 so he'll probably just have me drop the supplements. Looking online, it's very rare to be high in B12.

I'm also low in Protein and ferritin. I understand the Protein, it's a sign of malnutrition and very common after WLS... I'll probably just have to redouble efforts to get 60 grams a day or he may have me set a higher daily goal.

The ferritin bothers me a lot. I CANNOT take Iron supplements at all... never have been able to. From the first day I take them I get so constipated I can't go at all. Right after surgery I tried to take them but go so stopped up I was having to take 2 stool softeners and 2 laxatives along with Fiber supplements to even go at all. I was developing hemmorhoids (sorry if TMI) and at one point thought I was going to have to go to the hospital because it hurt so bad and I couldn't do anything.

I paranoid he is going to try to get me back on Iron but I just CANNOT go through that again! As great as I feel with all the exercise and energy, I was really surprised to see that result come back like it did.

I feel like crying over this one... anybody else have a similar problem with iron and any ideas? I can't live on laxatives and stool softeners and STILL be in so much pain.

Ginger

[Texasmeg 568]

My doctor doesn't check until 1 year (because the body has so much storage, I believe).

Several years ago, for other reasons since resolved, I had very low ferratin. They tried supplements, but my body didn't absorb it. Eventually, they gave me an IV of Iron and it worked great! The only problem was, my B-12 dropped like a rock and I needed supplements. The two are closely linked, but I don't know if this relates to your high B-12 / low ferratin issue.

My suggestion is not to worry until you speak to your doctor (easier said than done!).

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

@@Texasmeg Did you only have to have one IV? And did it give you the Constipation problem? My B12 was actually about double the high end of the range (I think the range goes to 800 something and mine was 1500 something) so if I had to have the IV and it didn't make me constipated, the B12 wouldn't be an issue.

[dcostella 14]

At 3 months my ferratin was low and my B12 was double also. They had me drop my B12 to every other day. They had me start taking prenatal Vitamins with Iron instead of an Iron supplement. I have been constipated since I had surgery. I was never before. The only thing that works for me is every 3rd day I take 3 laxatives and stool softeners and it seems to work for me.

[Texasmeg 568]

@@Texasmeg Did you only have to have one IV? And did it give you the Constipation problem? My B12 was actually about double the high end of the range (I think the range goes to 800 something and mine was 1500 something) so if I had to have the IV and it didn't make me constipated, the B12 wouldn't be an issue.

Only one IV (and my ferratin was as low as it gets - 7, I believe. No constipation (I think that is only when you take it orally).

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Great news... My Protein was also low and said that could bring the ferritin down low too so I just have to up the Protein. Hemoglobin is great... No anemia! Thank God! I can't tell you how in tears I was over the idea of having to have infusions!

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Thanks for your responses though... Did help me get through the stress before the visit!

[Beni 1,484]

Ginger,

I read Kindle takes insoluble Fiber (not the same as soluble fiber such as metmucil) It's hard to find but she adds it to her shake and keeps her regular. Amylynns' doctor has her taking a different type of Iron which upsets the stomach less.

Do you remember what level of B12 you were taking, in sublingual form (I think I read you were doing sublingual)? My recommendation was for 500 mcg. I noticed my drops (the only dosage I could find) are 5,000 mcg.

[onikenbai 33]

The brand of Iron supplement you took may have been the problem as many of them are super hard on the stomach and are well known for stopping up the works. If you do need to up your Iron in the future, look into taking FeraMax, which is MUCH easier on the stomach and on the digestive system as a whole. It is also a form of iron which is more bioavailable and is better absorbed than the standard supplement. The only drawback is that it is costly and you to have to ask the pharmacist for it instead of grabbing it off the open Vitamin shelf. Well worth the money as I take it twice daily with no fibre supplements, softeners etc. required.