Iron-Deficiency Anemia Post Surgery

[livvsmum 2,369]

Hi all - Quick question.... Has anyone dealt with severe iron-deficiency anemia since surgery? I was fine for the longest time, but around 2.5 years post op during some routine lab work I found out I have severely low Iron and very low hemaglobin. My surgeon put me on oral iron supplements for 60 days then retested. My iron levels after 60 days were just as low, and the hemaglobin went lower still. So, now I am goingt to a hematologist tomorrow because my surgeon said he didn't feel "comfortable" treating it because he didn't want to "miss something." Of course now I'm kind of freaking out. What is he afraid of missing?

Anyway, if anyone has dealt with problems absorbing iron since surgery, what was your treatment plan? Did you need IV iron transfusions? A blood transfusion? How quickly after the iron infusions did you start to feel better, etc?

Any info would be appreciated. I feel like death and just want to get back to having any level of energy!

[reree6898 1,164]

I have a co-worker who was sleeved about a year before me and she ended up with the low Iron issues at about a year out. She had to go once a month for the iron infusions. After six months she was at good levels and back on oral supplements and doing fine since.

[HopeandAgony 566]

Following.

I was sleeved in November 2015. My 3 month follow up (it was actually closer to 4 months) shows an Iron deficiency. I have started on an oral prescribed Iron supplement. I hope that resolves it but want to be prepared for if it doesn't.

Most notable symptoms for me were pure exhaustion, mostly as of like 7PM and after, and being brutally uncomfortably cold. I couldn't warm up regardless of layers and layers. Since I started the supplement I feel better so far and my weight loss has picked up again significantly.

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Edited March 22, 2016 by HopeandAgony

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Are you taking your Iron with Vitamin C and at a time where you aren't taking it eating Calcium? Calcium can interfere with iron absorption and Vitamin C helps absorption.

[livvsmum 2,369]

Are you taking your Iron with Vitamin C and at a time where you aren't taking it eating Calcium? Calcium can interfere with Iron absorption and Vitamin C helps absorption.

Thank you for the tips! I have been doing that. I've researched everything. Feeling very hopeless. Whatever they do I hope it helps, and quickly!

Following.

I was sleeved in November 2015. My 3 month follow up (it was actually closer to 4 months) shows an iron deficiency. I have started on an oral prescribed iron supplement. I hope that resolves it but want to be prepared for if it doesn't.

Most notable symptoms for me were pure exhaustion, mostly as of like 7PM and after, and being brutally uncomfortably cold. I couldn't warm up regardless of layers and layers. Since I started the supplement I feel better so far and my weight loss has picked up again significantly.

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I'm glad that you are starting to feel better. That is a good sign! Yes, extreme exhaustion & constantly being cold are some of my symptoms. I actually made a list to take to the specialist tomorrow, and it is a very, very long list of symptoms. lol

[HopeandAgony 566]

I hope your appt goes well and they figure it out. My surgeon was sort of accusatory that I must be skipping my Vitamins. I have never missed a dose so that obviously isn't it. I hope my issue is resolved but he doesn't retest until my 6 month appt. Please keep me updated.

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

[livvsmum 2,369]

I had my appt with the hematologist yesterday. She was very good & made me feel a lot better about things. I have to go in on Tuesday next week. They are going to do a blood transfusion to give my blood volume a quick boost and a series of weekly IV Iron infusions. After that in about 10 weeks she will re-check my levels. She said that she hasn't had anyone who has had to have more weekly infusions after that, but then again she said she has never had anyone with Iron as low as mine....basically non-existent. She said she will also test my B12 when she re-tests after the infusions, but doesn't want to do it now because she doesn't want me to lose anymore blood, not even for a blood test. Finally, she said that I may need to do this every 6 months or a year long-term if my body never finds a way to absorb iron. I'm actually pretty excited because at least I have a plan of attack and she said I am going to feel 100% better. Thank goodness!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Its always better once we know. It's the uncertainty that drives us crazy. I am glad that you are in good hands.

[reree6898 1,164]

Glad you found out more detail and have a plan of action in place. Hope you feel better soon!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Thanks for this thread. It's always so good to hear when a problem is identified and a reasonable plan of attack is developed and, even better, the problem is resolved.

Wiki-tek. Love it.

[BlueEyed4u 11]

Hi all - Quick question.... Has anyone dealt with severe iron-deficiency anemia since surgery? I was fine for the longest time, but around 2.5 years post op during some routine lab work I found out I have severely low Iron and very low hemaglobin. My surgeon put me on oral Iron supplements for 60 days then retested. My iron levels after 60 days were just as low, and the hemaglobin went lower still. So, now I am goingt to a hematologist tomorrow because my surgeon said he didn't feel "comfortable" treating it because he didn't want to "miss something." Of course now I'm kind of freaking out. What is he afraid of missing?

Anyway, if anyone has dealt with problems absorbing iron since surgery, what was your treatment plan? Did you need IV iron transfusions? A blood transfusion? How quickly after the iron infusions did you start to feel better, etc?

Any info would be appreciated. I feel like death and just want to get back to having any level of energy!

What type of Iron are you taking?

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

[livvsmum 2,369]

Hi all - Quick question.... Has anyone dealt with severe iron-deficiency anemia since surgery? I was fine for the longest time, but around 2.5 years post op during some routine lab work I found out I have severely low Iron and very low hemaglobin. My surgeon put me on oral Iron supplements for 60 days then retested. My iron levels after 60 days were just as low, and the hemaglobin went lower still. So, now I am goingt to a hematologist tomorrow because my surgeon said he didn't feel "comfortable" treating it because he didn't want to "miss something." Of course now I'm kind of freaking out. What is he afraid of missing?

Anyway, if anyone has dealt with problems absorbing iron since surgery, what was your treatment plan? Did you need IV iron transfusions? A blood transfusion? How quickly after the iron infusions did you start to feel better, etc?

Any info would be appreciated. I feel like death and just want to get back to having any level of energy!

What type of Iron are you taking?

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I was taking an oral iron supplement 2x a day. That didn't help so now I will be going for an iv iron infusion weekly

[BlueEyed4u 11]

Was just wondering, cauce I've heard alot about after wls we don't absorb certain types

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

[livvsmum 2,369]

I had the first transfusion today. It went fine. It took about a 1/2 hour for the Iron IV and then a 1/2 hour observation to make sure there was no reaction. I feel pretty normal at the moment, but she said it would take a couple of days to really feel any difference, then I'd feel much better after the treatment next week and then in about 3 weeks I should feel 100% once the red blood cells have reproduced. Feeling hopeful that I can get my life back soon.

[ssully 2]

On 3/29/2016 at 1:22 PM, livvsmum said:

I had the first transfusion today. It went fine. It took about a 1/2 hour for the Iron IV and then a 1/2 hour observation to make sure there was no reaction. I feel pretty normal at the moment, but she said it would take a couple of days to really feel any difference, then I'd feel much better after the treatment next week and then in about 3 weeks I should feel 100% once the red blood cells have reproduced. Feeling hopeful that I can get my life back soon.

I know this is old, but did the infusions work for you? I am severely anemic and I have been taking Iron regularly, but my levels are WORSE now than they were before I started the iron. I see my surgeon tomorrow, but I was curious if the infusions helped and if there were any side effects? Thanks in advance!