I just got my iron levels back from my annual blood panel, and I am pretty low. My hemoglobin/hematocrit are fine though. Explains why I have probably been so tired the past few months. Is there a reason that we shouldn't absorb iron as readily anymore? I see that a lot of people on here need infusions...at what level does the iron need to drop for that to be necessary? I've also seen links on here between chronic pouchitis and taking Cipro, which would apply to me. I try to never take my vitamins with the antibiotics. The range on my paperwork said normal is 50-170 and my level was 32. The doctor didn't seem concerned and told me just to take more iron supplements and he's see me next year. Thoughts? Thanks!
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I have on-going iron issues. All the doctors insist it isn't an absorbtion issue but I'm not convinced of that. Anyway, my hemoglobin is ok now too but my ferritin levels are still low. I had a series of 9 iron infusions back in the Fall and it helped a ton. At that time my ferritin level was a 4 which is ridiculously low. Those nine infusions brought me up to a level of 50 which my hematologist wasn't crazy about but it was a great improvement. I just had follow up bloodwork done last and my dr said my ferritin levels dropped (I didnt get a number) again but that my hemoglobin is still ok. So he wants me back for another 4 iron infusions which I'm not thrilled about. I wish I could just control this with oral iron but it has proven useless for me. Hopefully you can get your iron levels up with a supplement. I'm still trying to figure all this out too. Good luck!
I would persist with your doctor to do something to raise it. Many of us suffer from symptoms of low iron, before it show in the hemoglobin numbers. I have been told that it is not uncommon for people with jpouches to suffer from low iron, but that research hasn't been done to figure out why.
Also, docs can run calculations to figure out exactly how many iron infusions should be needed to build back up your iron stores.
Iron infusions really are not that big of a deal. They only take about 2 hours and for me they help massively. Generally if your iron is very low and your stores depleted, iron supplements will not rebuild them.
Also, docs can run calculations to figure out exactly how many iron infusions should be needed to build back up your iron stores.
Iron infusions really are not that big of a deal. They only take about 2 hours and for me they help massively. Generally if your iron is very low and your stores depleted, iron supplements will not rebuild them.
quote:They only take about 2 hours
Are the 15-minute infusions available in the States?
Some people take Vitron C to improve the iron absorption. It's a combination of iron and Vitamin C.
Cooking in cast iron skillets will also boost your iron levels. . .if that is an option for anyone.
My iron level is slowly increasing now since I started taking iron supplements. But I still feel on the weak side. I do wonder if VitronC would work better for me now than the conventional iron supplement I'm using right now?
Dawg, if the iron supplements are working (slowly) and you're tolerating them well those would be good reasons to leave well enough alone. If it makes your decision easier, Vitron C is pricey. If you prefer to switch, to try to get faster results, that's pretty harmless, too.
Wow I'm so surprised that anyone with guts like ours can tolerate iron supplements of any kind?! I'm in the UK, and am about to get an iron infusion for the first time. After many months of low iron levels (and years of it really) and never getting anywhere with tablet or liquid supplements / tonics etc, the docs finally agreed to let me have an infusion and I will probably push to keep having them long term. But it's taken a lot of fighting to get it, with a dozen doctors all trying to give me the same useless things to try. They either all give me the runs (like I need any more of that!) or cramping/bloating and far too high output. Let's hope infusions help, and my energy levels get a good kickstart from it, I'm only 35 but feel like I'm 85. Good luck to everyone.
I recently learned from a hematologist that you can take a test to see if you are even able to absorb iron orally. My son was able to absorb it but not as fully as some people. You absorb iron in your duodenum so J pouchers should be able to absorb orally. However if you have inflammation that can get in the way of absorption. We were told liquid iron taken twice a week is best way to absorb and you have to be careful about too much iron as that will end up being stored in you liver and you will not be able to release it ( I don't fully comprehend.) Rather than your iron number it is important to look at hemglobin and your saturation levels.
I tolerated oral ferrous glycinate but not oral ferrous sulfate in the past.
Be sure not to take "enteric coated" meds/supplements; we don't have enough time for them to always completely dissolve.
As for labs, a panel should include not only iron, but ferritin, iron binding capacity, and transferrin, too. They complete the picture on iron stores.
Check out dark black strap molasses for iron content. One brand I took had 25% daily recommended iron per tbsp! It *is* sugar, though, essentially, but considered lower glycemic, such that diabetics tolerate it better than regular sugars. But if you're a FODMAP kinda person, it's on the avoid list and can be a trigger.