Iron deficiency

Hello, yes my husband had Ivor Lewis 11 months ago. Recently hes been having trouble with dehydration and has also become very anaemic. He needed 5 blood transfusions over 3 days while in hospital. We were shocked as he hadn’t been having regular blood tests. He is feeling much better in himself now but he will be monitored and have blood tests more frequently to make sure his level stays up where it should be.
We believe he became anaemic due to malnutrition so are seeing a surgeon soon and hoping he will have a Jtube placed to help.
Sorry I can’t be more help, but I think in some people, this does happen
Wishing you all the best in your recovery
Deb

Thanks for your response. I am scheduled for iron infusions in October. We’re still figuring out what is causing the deficiency. I wish you and your husband well too. The post surgery adjustments are major and varied, even years out.

I have malabsorption and been seeing a hematologist for occasional iron and ferritan infusions. I’ve had infusions maybe every other or more for years. Every 6 mos iron blood test. Good luck.

I've had 2 bouts of iron deficiency anemia and recurring diagnoses of malabsorption during the 8 years I am post esophagectomy. There is definitely a connection between our inability to digest food AND absorb it and the fact that many of us have had some portion of our vagal nerve removed during the surgery which also impacts how our bodies digest nutrients.
Unfortunately, many doctors don't regularly monitor blood levels for ferritin and only look at hemoglobin numbers which can mask the anemia as i found out.
So... after struggling to not keep losing weight and being anemic and getting brittle bones - here's what I've learned:
Get blood tests regularly - ferritin, TIBC for iron levels and don't have drs just rely on hemoglobin levels
Also have B12 monitored - we're usually deficient in that as well
Have enzyme levels checked (EPI stool test) and even if it comes back OK ask dr for samples of Creon which is an enzyme replacement pill. Very expensive so I'd see if it even helps. I gained 2 pounds after starting them back in May but I found out my levels were low so my insurance is covering it
Let me know if you have other questions.

Hi Dave,
I think the deficiency is just caused by malabsorption…he can’t tolerate red meat although we are trying !
Hope they find a solution for you too,
Deb

@hardtoswallow Good advice.

My husband is 2 years post successful Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. He started getting slight iron deficiency anemia about 8 months post surgery and it has improved slightly but still persisted despite iron supplementation including sprays with Vit C to help absorption. The levels of iron did not warrant IV supplements. He also suffered from cramps but takes magnesium supplements which seems to have helped. All scans clear and he has a healthy appetite so it seems to be from malabsorption. Recently he’s started to get flaky nails and I think this could also be from nutritional deficiencies such as zinc and he will now consult about this. B12 and Vitamin D levels are good (with spray supplementation) but I think that there may be multiple deficiencies that you can get after esophagectomy, some of which are not apparent immediately.

@lkovler I have Barretts Esophagus (long) and have been on PPI’s for over 15 years now. (I’m also about to go through a series of esophageal ablations to destroy some cells that have a chance of becoming pre-cancerous in the future).
Ever since the PPI regime, I have had low ferritin levels, but at my most recent annual wellness check-up the blood draw showed a significant drop in hemoglobin and other blood measurements, which has been diagnosed as iron-deficiency anemia. I have been taking iron supplements since I started on the PPI’s, but the iron absorption isn’t occurring correctly.
I’m seeing my first consult with a hematologist this coming week, my GI doctor has recommended iron infusions. I also take B12 and D3 supplements (the B12 dissolves under the tongue so stomach acid isn’t required at all).

@deb005
Have you looked into enzymes that help to digest protein?
Proteases is an enzyme produced by the Pancreas that works on protein.
I had problems with digestion after my esophajectomy. Watery green sticky BM’s and dumping.
I had great results by taking pancreatic enzymes.
I purchased them on line at Amazon from Pure encapsulations. $39
Very similar to Kreon.