Hi everybody,Im new to this forum I'm in the uk I've had my j pouch for just over a year things mostly going well but recently my blood tests have been showing low iron (6.5)the hospital are talking about an iron infusion,is this something that happens to others with j pouch was thinking absorption etc.
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I have been dealing with iron deficiency anemia since my surgeries five years ago. From asking around I have found this is quite common with j pouchers. I see a hematologist regularly to check my ferritin levels and make sure I dont get too low. About every four or five months I go in for iron infusions. I just don't absorb iron and it looks like this will be a maintenance thing for me. The infusions help tremendously. I get Feraheme which is a two dose (one week apart) IV push. He used to give me an IV drip of Ferlicit but I would have to do 8 infusions (one a week) of those to get my levels up. The Fereheme is more concentrated therefore you only need two doses. I recommend seeing a hematologist. Good luck.....hopefully you'll just need at boost and won't have to do them all the time like I do.
Most folks (though not all) can get enough iron from oral supplements. That's much easier than infusions, and I think worth trying first (though you have to give it a few months). You may get the best results from the iron supplements mixed with Vitamin C to help absorption. One brand name in the US is Vitron-C.
In case it matters, iron needs are highest for women who still have periods. Unless you're bleeding in some way, you body conserves almost all the iron it needs.
Scott makes a good point. I forgot to mention I tried taking oral iron first. It didn't help because I was just not absorbing it. That's when I went to the infusions. BUT your level of 6.5 is really, really low and oral iron likely won't put a dent in that and if it did it would take a long time to bring it up. I was at a 4 a few months back. After two iron infusions I was back up to 200. You will feel so much better afterwards.
I have had iron infusions as my ferritin is generally so,low it is not measurable. The infusions are easy and make me feel so much better. As your physician to set one up.
I'm in the uk,I have an ibd/gastro team they sd to speak to them after the weekend I have a clinic apt in 3 weeks which seems a long time to me it's not like it's just going to get better on its own is it ?
I agree with all above information regarding low ferritin. I also receive ferraheme infustions twice a year from a hematologist. It is very important to keep the ferritin levels above 100 (according to my dr.)
I also wanted to mention a chewable vitamin I have been taking for 2 years for people with absorption problems. It is called forvia and available at http://www.inovera.com/forvia/
It has seemed to make a difference for me as far as keeping my ferritin levels at a decent level LONGER (once the ferraheme brought the levels to normal). Since taking the vitamins, I have only needed the infusions twice a year, instead of 3 times a year.
Good luck to you.
Those of us who suffer from anemia certainly understand what you are going through.
Thanks everybody,I'm starting on liquid iron and will check it out to try and get hold of the chewable vitamin too,they advised me to take the iron with orange juice.
Jane 
