Iron supplements

I'm about 23 years out from my RNY surgery. Several years ago, I was not absorbing iron supplements and became anemic. My primary physician referred me to a hematologist for iron infusions. Once my iron was stable, I went back to taking iron supplements.

Recently, I was once again referred to a hematologist for low iron, but I had other issues with my labs. It was discovered that I had polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder. For a while I had to stop taking iron and had to get phlebotomies (blood removed), so my iron hit rock bottom. I am now restarting iron. I use Bariatric Pal bariatric multivitamin capsules with 60 mg iron added, along with a supplement recommended to me by my hospital's weight loss specialty clinic. It's called Mega Foods "Iron Blood Builder", giving me another 26 mg. I have to take it a few hours after the multi. They're both absorbable for us and are not supposed to cause stomach upset. So far so good!

Yes, iron infusions can be an option for people who don’t tolerate oral iron, especially after bariatric surgery when iron absorption can be an issue. I would definitely bring it up with your doctor and ask them to check your iron studies, including ferritin, iron, TIBC/transferrin saturation, and your CBC, before deciding what would be best for you.

There are also different forms of oral iron, and sometimes changing the type, dose, or how it is taken can make a big difference with side effects. But if the diarrhea is severe and you simply cannot tolerate oral iron, an infusion may be something worth discussing with your doctor.

After 20+ years since your surgery, I think it would be especially important to have your iron levels monitored regularly rather than just taking a supplement and hoping for the best.

I hope you find something that works for you without making you miserable! ❤️

I had Bariatric surgery in 2013 revision in 2015. I have a terrible time absorbing iron in most forms I usually need 2 a year to keep my iron up I don’t get reactions to it and makes me feel so much better my pcp and I have tried every different supplement only infusions raise it. When I had my panniculectomy don September of last year I did need 8 weeks of infusions just due to the surgery to get my iron up. But definitely infusions help me. I don’t know if you have ever had to do potassium infusions but iron is 100 times easier