Low Serum Iron

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healthys
Contributor
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:26 pm

Low Serum Iron

Postby healthys » Wed Nov 25, 2020 2:16 pm

Hello All,

I am writing a new topic to ask a new question. I had my annual biometric screening ( lab work up + BMI etc) done yesterday. Everything was okay except my BMI which is low ( I lost quite a bit of weight so that makes sense) and low serum iron. It was 18 ug/DL which is quite low- normal range is 27-159 ug/DL per the lab report. My B12 is fine, vitamin D is low and I am taking supplements for that now.

After my surgery ( open ilececectomy for perforated appendix , it has been over 2 months since surgery ) they put me on 325mg ferrous sulphate every other day as my hemoglobin and iron levels were pretty low due to long infection and surgery etc. My hemoglobin has been improving slowly. I recently stopped taking those after the prescription got done.

I am not sure why the serum iron is still low though. I am on low FODMAP diet so I am not really eating whole grains or green leafy vegetables and don't eat meat anyway.

Could anyone share their experiences on this topic.

Thank you so much!!
Last edited by healthys on Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

NS789
Regular Contributor
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:14 pm

Re: Low Serum Iron

Postby NS789 » Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:20 pm

Have you ever tried Feramax? I have had problems with very low iron before and that's what doctors and specialists have always recommended to me. With consistent use, it always brought my levels back up within a reasonable time frame. And it's known to be gentler on the stomach than other iron supplements. Here in Canada, it is kept behind the counter so you have to ask the pharmacist for it. I'm not sure about other countries. It can be a little pricey but it does seem to work well.

As for why your levels are low, that might take some more investigating with your doctor. But it's possible that your diet is playing a part. You might need to incorporate more iron rich food.
32 y/o female. Got C. diff in Feb. 2020. Prescribed Flagyl (10 days), then Flagyl again (4 days), then Vanco (10 days), then Dificid (10 days), then Dificid again (10 days), then a Vanco taper (5 wks), then a Dificid taper (2 mths) and finally recovered.

healthys
Contributor
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:26 pm

Re: Low Serum Iron

Postby healthys » Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:40 pm

Thank you NS789 for the recommendation!

I have not heard of it. I have been asked to take gentle iron ( any OTC brand) and I have bought Solgar 25mg. But I can look into Feramax.

Also, glad to find another 32 y/o female on this forum. It makes me feel a little less lonely with all of this. I hope you are doing well!!

And PS: I also looked up cultured coconut and have ordered it based on your reco on some other thread!

NS789
Regular Contributor
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:14 pm

Re: Low Serum Iron

Postby NS789 » Wed Nov 25, 2020 7:54 pm

It's definitely worth a try. I think you can get it at Costco as well.

I hope you're doing well too! Yes, it is comforting to see other people in their 30s on here lol before I acquired C diff, I always thought it was something that you only heard about in nursing homes or in the elderly. How wrong I was! I've quickly learned that it impacts so many people, regardless of age. And seems to be becoming more prevalent. I have a 23-year-old cousin that got a C diff infection this year as well.

I hope the cultured coconut works well for you. Let me know what you think :).
32 y/o female. Got C. diff in Feb. 2020. Prescribed Flagyl (10 days), then Flagyl again (4 days), then Vanco (10 days), then Dificid (10 days), then Dificid again (10 days), then a Vanco taper (5 wks), then a Dificid taper (2 mths) and finally recovered.

beth22
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 10852
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Low Serum Iron

Postby beth22 » Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:32 pm

If you are still having periods, your iron could be low because of that as you lose each month. I used to be anemic when I had periods and heavy bleeding. You may need to supplement for some time to catch up. I also do not store iron well I have been told.

healthys
Contributor
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:26 pm

Re: Low Serum Iron

Postby healthys » Thu Nov 26, 2020 11:20 am

Thank you Beth!! That is helpful to know. Yes I am having periods and also had several blood draws when I was at the hospital for surgery. I will start supplementation and watch it.


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