Blood loss or inability to store the iron for blood cell manufacturing? Chronic inflammation can suppress the bone marrow. My guess is that the infusion was not adequate to fill his reserves. But, that is just a guess. What does the hematologist say?

Jan

Thank you Jan.  The iron was ordered through his pediatric GI who has not yet commented. Perhaps he should see a hematologist.

Besides bone morrow suppression (and blood loss) are there other reasons behind the inability to store iron?

There is not noticeable blood in his stool. His CRP has hovered around 1.15 ( .99 and below being normal)  but his cal protectin has usually been normal so it did not seem (compared to the past ) that his inflammation was too bad, though could level be a concern re bone morrow?

Is there a common dosage of iron to fill reserves and a sense of how long iron should last after an infusion?

  Thank you.

Hi Mom's Boy, I'd agree with Jan. 100 mg was probably not enough, even though it was an IV infusion. What was his Iron Binding Capacity before the infusion? Has it been tested?

The binding capacity before 6 weeks before infusion:

TIBC: 403   UIBC: 375

The Binding Capacity almost 6 weeks after infusion:

TIBC: 375      UIBC: 357

Thanks - I don't completely understand how to read these numbers.

How high an iron dosage could one go up to? How often?

(Another theory is there is some bacteria that people with IBD have that somehow disturbs the iron absorption.)

Thank you.

It is very complex and I'd rather the GI or hematologist explain. I'm not fully schooled on this stuff. But, the simple fact is that there is a lot of intertwined physiology here, and not just a matter of "filling the tank." If his CBC is good, then you don't need to worry too much. If the GI is not sure how to proceed, then a hematologist is the best route. 

Jan