Iron Dextran Sugar Content? - Anemia Message Board

retroworx · 05-06-2009, 04:12 PM

Hi Folks:

For medical reasons, I am on a no-sugar eating plan. I am scheduled for my first session of intravenous Iron Dextran and am curious about the dextrose content of this. Does anyone know if it raises blood sugar levels? Are diabetics given this or do they have other options for them?

Thanks for your thoughts!

FLFLOWERGIRL · 05-06-2009, 04:47 PM

retroworx--Welcome to the boards!

You know that's a good question, and I don't have any experience with this to offer you, however, you could call a ~Kidney Dialysis~ center and ask because they have to give those patients IV iron all the time at dialysis. You can also ask a Hematologist. Hope you get some answers soon. Take care. FLFG

retroworx · 05-06-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLFLOWERGIRL

retroworx--Welcome to the boards!

You know that's a good question, and I don't have any experience with this to offer you, however, you could call a ~Kidney Dialysis~ center and ask because they have to give those patients IV iron all the time at dialysis. You can also ask a Hematologist. Hope you get some answers soon. Take care. FLFG

Thanks for the welcome, Flowergirl. I've lurked on and off and have gotten lots of great info from your posts.

I'll try to reach my Hematologist -- I stupidly failed to ask him about the sugar issue when I saw him. Too much info coming at me and I failed to make the "dextrose" link when he mentioned the Dextran.

FLFLOWERGIRL · 05-06-2009, 07:14 PM

You are very welcome. So, can I ask you how far out you are from your GB surgery? My sister also had this form of surgery, I don't know if you have read those posts or not. She has been taking Foltrin, I think that's the name of it, I would have to look that up to be sure. It has IF and B-12 along with iron and Vit-C. Yes, this is all a lot of information. Information I never wanted to learn. Glad you came on board and finally stopped lurking, LOL. I once was a lurker myself, all I could do was read the posts and they were so comforting at that time. FLFG

retroworx · 05-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLFLOWERGIRL

You are very welcome. So, can I ask you how far out you are from your GB surgery? My sister also had this form of surgery, I don't know if you have read those posts or not. She has been taking Foltrin, I think that's the name of it, I would have to look that up to be sure. It has IF and B-12 along with iron and Vit-C. Yes, this is all a lot of information. Information I never wanted to learn. Glad you came on board and finally stopped lurking, LOL. I once was a lurker myself, all I could do was read the posts and they were so comforting at that time. FLFG

I don't believe I have read those posts about your sister. I'd be interested in them -- could you provide a link? (I actually may have already read those posts, but my lurking was many months ago, and with my perimenopause, Anemia, and Hypothyroidism I can't be expected to remember much, right, LOL.

I am almost 4 years out from my RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. I lost over 160lbs and achieved a normal weight and BMI. Maintenance is a struggle but one I am holding my own with so far.

My ferritin had been steadily dropping over the past 2 years and then the other iron numbers began to dip as well. My GP didn't seem to think there was a problem when my Ferritin hit 10

because my other numbers were not yet flagged, but I knew better. Supplementation with various GP recommended irons has not seemed to help, nor has Jarrow IronSorb which I tried for a while because it claims to dissolve in the intestine, not stomach. (I thought this might be best because an RNY stomach produces little, if any, of the necessary stomach acids etc necessary for proper iron absorption.)

In any event, my Ferritin is currently ranging from <1 - 2 and my other numbers aren't great, so I finally requested a referral to a Hematologist. Thought I might have to fight with him for an infusion before trying other possible oral irons, so I'm happy he agreed to go straight to infusion.

I've felt pretty bad for almost 2 years, and with the addition of Hypothyroidism I wasn't sure what to tackle first. Looks like I'll need to get my iron up to get maximum benefit from my Thyroid meds, yes?

I'm looking forward to feeling lots better after my infusion, as many here report.