Hi Everybody!

This is my first post here to this discussion forum. I've had a j-pouch since 2011 and very few problems with it. I've had two emergency surgeries to fix twisted intestine due to adhesion with scar tissue. I have had some issues with fatigue, which I was attributing to getting older (I'm 51). Recently I had routine full blood work done which included a metabolic panel. The local hospital now has an online portal where you can look at all of your results and compare them to previous tests. My results showed a "low anion gap" and high chloride, which is related to electrolyte levels. Does anyone else have experience with something like this related to having a j-pouch? Could this be due to me not staying hydrated enough because of the pouch? Everything I can find online about a low anion gap just says that it is very rare... and has something to do with blood pH and electrolytes. I still need to schedule an appointment with Dr. to discuss results, they usually don't contact me when anything is abnormal on blood work. Anyway, I might be trying to live as if I'm "normal" when I should be more conscious of the limitations and special considerations needed with my J-pouch. I was able to compare the recent blood work with past results and saw that I always have a "low anion gap".

Thanks for any feedback or advice!