Info on PCP visit on 2/28

Barb1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Messages
543
Location
St Louis Missouri Area
I printed the letter Diana posted for the PCP and I gave her the list of labs from Dr K so she could see what his list looked like. I had quite a few other papers too. Dr K sent me a few on the need of iron, Vitamin A, and the need for protein supplement. He also mentioned what type of iron and A. She said she liked this list much better than the one I gave her a year ago. When I thought about it I think it was one I copied a long time ago was one from Dina McBride. I also warned her that because the tests might indicate that I have hypothyroidism but that would not be the case. All in all it was a really good visit. I have an order to get the rest of the blood work drawn along with the UA. I have been coughing lately and waking up in the middle of the night to take cough medicine. I need to fast for the test so I will wait a few days.

I am now getting in 2 proteins shakes a day (Now Whey Isolate unflavored with no type of sweetener) with two scoops each for a total of 112 grams a day. I am also taking all my vitamins. I am still not feeling great and imagine it will take awhile. Some days are better than others. I am still having some upset tummy problems and still take Zofran every A.M.

The only thing that has me stumped is I have no appetite what so ever. I have a horrible taste in my mouth all day and night. It is not the metallic taste. I called the pharmacist to have them check my meds for this side affect of any or a combo any of them. They think it is the Flagyl but I have taken this med before and this hasn’t happened before. I try to make sure I get some yogurt for breakfast, cheese for lunch and some meat at dinnertime.

In a lot of ways having surgery with Dr.K was like having the DS all over again. Any suggestion about what could be causing the appetite loss? How about the nasty taste in my mouth? Just so you know I have false teeth and I lost all but seven before having the DS. The first 4 front teeth where capped when I was 15. I had horrible teeth so many root canals and fillings I couldn’t even try to count how many
 
Dr K ... also mentioned what type of iron ...

Hi Barb, any chance you still have this list?
I am finding so many different references to the types of iron supplements people are taking (ferrous fumerate, gluconate, sulfate and carbonyl) and a lot of statements about nothing working....
My iron dropped big time since last year's tests, so I need to address that asap. I'd like to start with the preferred supplement rather than blindly taking them all or taking an ineffective one.
Thanks for any info!
 
Last edited:
@BigIsland Tammy Welcome to the forum!! This is the info I got.

Review of your lab results identified low blood Iron levels. We would like to make sure that you are taking your multivitamins, supplements and Calcium as recommended.
Blood loss is the most common cause of iron deficiency. Menstruation is the most likely cause of blood loss in women ages 15 to 45 years. Iron deficiency anemia in adult men and postmenopausal women could be due to chronic gastrointestinal blood loss, malnutrition following weight loss surgery, protein and/or vitamin deficiency, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and malignancy.
Inadequate dietary intake-absorption: Weight loss surgery can decrease absorption of iron from the diet. This is why iron supplements are given to certain patients. Iron deficiency in the diet is a major cause of anemia during pregnancy. Anemia may happen in infancy when the daily need for iron is not met by milk alone. Malabsorption of iron can also cause iron deficiency. Iron is absorbed in the duodenum and the jejunum. After duodenal switch operation some of the duodenum and the jejunum are bypassed by food therefore causing a decrease in iron absorption.
Iron deficiency develops gradually. It also takes a long time to build it back up again. There are different oral iron formulations available. I recommend heme iron instead of ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate. After 3 months of therapy it is necessary to repeat laboratory blood levels to determine the next course of action. Iron supplements along other medications should be stored away from children in "child proof" containers. Proferrin ® ES HEME IRON POLYPEPTIDE Iron Supplement can be purchased from Colorado Biolabs at 1-888-442-0067. The dosage of the iron for Proferrin ES is one tablet twice a day. The Proferrin ES contains 12 mg of elemental iron.
Your pharmacist will be able to instruct you with the correct way of taking the iron supplements, and possible interference with other medications that you may be taking.
In severe anemia or iron deficiencies it may be necessary to have iron injections or infusions intravenously.

Hope this helps. You can order this on Amazon. I get my Vitamin A on there to.
 
Hi Barb, any chance you still have this list?
I am finding so many difference references to the types of iron supplements people are taking (ferrous fumerate, gluconate, sulfate and Tender Iron carbonyl) and a lot of statements about nothing working....
My iron dropped big time since last year's tests, so I need to address that asap. I'd like to start with the preferred supplement rather than blindly taking them all or taking an ineffective one.
Thanks for any info!
Just my take on it, but infusions, for me, work VERY well, VERY fast and VERY MUCH CHEAPER (my insurance pays for most everything) than oral supplements. Are those on your list of things to consider?
 
@Barb1 Thank you so much for this info and @Spiky Bugger for the recommendation. This gives me what I need to go back and talk to my PCP, who's only response to the Ferritin test result was "Oh, for some reason you're anemic now" ?? FYI lab range 22-201, last three tests across 2 years were 103, 55, 7.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top