Low Iron

I just got my blood work back and my iron's lower than before my operation (7 now - pre--op I was at 11.6)! I thought the TAH was going to increase my iron since I'm not bleeding constantly anymore. My doc is requesting additional iron studies & stool testing. Anyone experiencing anything similiar?

My iron has gone increasingly up since the surgery but I was at a 4 the day before and had to have a transfusion first. I actually take my last iron pill tomorrow (been taking them 4-5 months); planning a party afterwards. I would guess it went down due to bleeding during the surgery. Some people lose more blood than others. Iron pills are really nasty tasting. If you start taking them, drink lots of water and exercise. They tend to make you constipated and you burp them afterwards. It's easier if you take them with food but you don't absorb the iron as well so they recommend taking them on an empty stomach.

Thanks - I was on iron supplements prior to my surgery but my gyn said I no longer needed them - I'll talk with him about that.

I was still anemic months after my surgery too. I've had 4 different tests and was still low. I was also very anemic before surgery too. I've cut back on the iron pills but do still take them. I really should go back and have another test done now that I"m 6 months post op (hooray!!! exactly today!!) But enough about me, just wanted to let you know I think it is to be expected for some people to be anemic for awhile and to take some time for the values to build back up. I agree, logically you would think without all the bleeding each month, our iron values should be back up. If you continue to be anemic, they may want to rule out other causes and may still never find an answer!!! Best to you in continued recovery!! zanylynn

I was lucky -- while my hemoglobin went down to 7 after the surgery, within a month it had climbed to 12.5, which was higher than it had been for years. I took iron pills until my blood count went back up.

I took slow-fe, which is easier for your system to handle. Also, be aware that your body needs vitamin C in order to assimilate the iron.