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I have had problems with anemia ever since I had gastric by-pass surgery 6 years ago. I was sent to Mayo Clinic at one point because they thought I had lymphoma. It ended up being the lack of the ability to absorb the iron. I take B-12 shots every two weeks, but I had a hernia surgery in May and things went way down hill after that. My hemoglobin is at 10 right now and Hematacrit is 34, but more disturbing is that my ferritin is at 4. I am so worn down right now. I can barely function. I am a single mom with three kids and a full time job. My doc is sending me a letter to restrict my work hours to 30 a week because I just can't do it all. I feel like I am fading and will disappear at any point. I'm waiting for my doc to get me in to get IV Iron again as that helped in the past.

I can't take oral supplements because the amount I would have to take to raise my levels would rip up the stomach that I have left ( about 1/3 of a stomach). I'm just down right now. I know it is because of the anemia. My vision is also being effected as well as my concentration, thinking patterns and emotional state.

I don't really have a question, but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.
Kim

I know how aggravating all this is. My ferritin level was only at a 2, my hemoglobin is 9.1, and hemotcrit is 28, and this was about 6 weeks ago. I'm now taking iron supplements (even though I hate them!) twice a day, and on a low dose birth control pill (even though I don't want to take them!), and my doctors (both family dr. and gyn) hope these will help me. I've been diagnosed with iron deficient anemia (but I don't have any problem absorbing iron). The only symptom from the anemia I seem to have is being tired, but I just want to get rid of the anemia!

I guess I'm just venting too...just wanted to let you know that you're not alone out there with this problem...hang in there, and I hope that you find answers soon.

I'm finally scheduled to go in for IV Iron on January 8th. I'm hopefull this will help.

I had similar problems when I had half my colon removed because of chronic diverticular bleeding. My hemoglobin was 8.4, ferritin 18 and hematocrit 28

I started taking Liquid Liver Extract -- 2 caps --3 times daily and the ferritin 47, hemo--16 and hematocrit--45 . The only place I could find the liver was Ezymatic Therapy. I can't eat liver that much and certainly don't want to either. I also took some Iron supplement for several weeks but an organic type -- not the sulphate.

It is certainly worth a try???

Harry

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I have had problems with anemia ever since I had gastric by-pass surgery 6 years ago. I was sent to Mayo Clinic at one point because they thought I had lymphoma. It ended up being the lack of the ability to absorb the iron. I take B-12 shots every two weeks, but I had a hernia surgery in May and things went way down hill after that. My hemoglobin is at 10 right now and Hematacrit is 34, but more disturbing is that my ferritin is at 4. I am so worn down right now. I can barely function. I am a single mom with three kids and a full time job. My doc is sending me a letter to restrict my work hours to 30 a week because I just can't do it all. I feel like I am fading and will disappear at any point. I'm waiting for my doc to get me in to get IV Iron again as that helped in the past.

I can't take oral supplements because the amount I would have to take to raise my levels would rip up the stomach that I have left ( about 1/3 of a stomach). I'm just down right now. I know it is because of the anemia. My vision is also being effected as well as my concentration, thinking patterns and emotional state.

I don't really have a question, but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.
Kim
Hi Kim,
I am also a former GBP person dealing with your same symtpoms. I don't have small children to run after and a fulltime job. Just have the full time job. This surgery has its draw backs. I too have a ferritin that runs about 4 all the time. I have had the iron infusion one time about two years ago. I have learned something for myself that may or may not work for you. I have found out that when I quit taking the supplements, shots, etc. and just took in what I need. I had fewer side effects. I am forcing my body to make the iron it needs and to store it properly. I may be totally demented by lack of iron and B-12 now, but I swear that I think I am better and stronger physically now than when my body was trying to figure out what to do with all those foriegn vitamins and supplements. Our new stomachs, and digestive systems are programmed to dump nutrition to prevent weight gain. Most people who go into this surgery believe one part, weightloss, but they do not realize it puts us into a chronic medical illness for the rest of our lives that the promoters of this surgery believe is a fair trade off for heart disease, diabetes, and joint related illnesses. I am thinking that The pay off is wearing the clothes you like, and being able to avoid food parties with a good excuse.
I am not so sure about the energy and stamina thing. I think that it is something that is true for those who do not have a household to run. This surgery was originally for those people on deaths door who had no social life and could not attend any responsibilities in the first place.

Hi Kim,
I recently had trouble with my iron levels also. I went to give blood and was turned down because my hematocrit was 35. (I don't know what my hemoglobin was, but my "normal" is between 12.5 and 13--so I figured I was at least at a 12). She said that would register normal at the doctors office, but they needed it at 38 for me to give blood. I was feeling fine, but this was unusual. Within the week I had mid cycle bleeding. It wasn't bad at first, but was getting worse every day. By the time I went to the doctors office the day after Labor day, my hemoglobin was 9.5. We had to stop the bleeding and make a plan. The plan was to get my iron to normal by taking iron suppliments and taking medication to stop the bleeding. Then I was to schedule a hysterectomy because other options have been tried in the past and didn't work for the long haul. Unfortunately the bleeding wasn't affected by the meds right away. I ended up in the ER the next day. I was bleeding profusely, but not bad enough to be admitted. So home I went and the next day I followed up at my doctors office. My hemoglobin dropped to 8 in just 2 days. Well, he hospitalized me, and I had to have a transfusion (2 units of blood), IV meds to stop the bleeding and rest. The hysterectomy was scheduled for the following week. I just had to be patient. I spent 2 1/2 days in the hospital and by the time I left my iron was at 10.8. Not great but better. Monday before surgery I went for the preop physical. It dropped to 8.9! I was surpised. What would have happened if I didn't get the transfusion??? Well, needless to say, I was called on Tuesday (the day before surgery) to come in early on Wednesday for a transfusion and then surgery. It was a very emotional week. My hemoglobin is normal now--about 12.2, but I wouldn't have gotten to this point without the 4 units of blood that I recieved.

I know this wasn't your problem, but I have battled low iron levels on and off for years. I will be taking iron for a while, but knowing that I won't bleed like that again is comforting. Thanks for letting me talk.

Mary