Anemia and low blood iron

Has anyone gone into surgery with their blood levels low? I'm hoping that they'll still go thru with it, regardless.

I had severe anemia and a dangerously low blood level. The dr. put me om iron tablets three times a day, Also medicine to stop any bleeding. I had to wait one month. If you have surgery with a low blood level what about having someone you know donate blood in case you need it.

I had to take iron 3 times daily, too. Unfortunately it didn't work for me and my iron levels kept dropping. My doc put me on a regimen of IV iron treatments. Had to get iron by IV 8 times before my surgery. It wasn't fun, but it worked and I got some energy back. Good luck!

My blood was low so my doc. put me on nu-iron for a few months prior to surgery. I just took one at night. In about 4/5 months it was back to where it should be. I dont think they will operate if yours is too low so you may want to check with your doc to see if they need to put you on something first.
Hope it all works out well for you!
MB

Definitly have it checked with your dr. I went to a specialist for one of my surgeries and my iron was critically low (below 9 pts.). He was very concerned but we went forward. When I arrived at the hospital the morning of surgery, the nurses and other OR attendents were gathered at the desk contemplating whether or not to go through my surgery. I became so anxious at that point because I couldn't imagine them making me get up off the gourney and getting dressed because of my iron level. So do check...best of luck...Rosa

I was so anemic, my doc. made me get a transfusion 2 days before my surgery. I was scheduled for 2 units, but then they had to give me 3! The nurse said my hemoglobin was 6.5 and she didn't know how I had been able to just walk around.

Fortunately, they had two units standing by during surgery, but I didn't need them. BTW, I had been taking iron supplements (prescription) for 2 years, which only slightly raised my iron level. With the fibroids and heavy bleeding, it was just a waste of time and therefore, the hyst. was my final solution.

Now I'm 3 weeks post-op and have gone the longest time in recent memory w/ no bleeding. My husband can't believe the difference in my skin color. I'm naturally light-skinned, but with the anemia, I was almost transparent, I was so white!! I am looking forward to having energy again and not having to constantly worry about bleeding. I truly believe having the surgery is going to give me my life back.

Keep your chin up and follow doctor's orders. The uphill part (the pre-op) is the hardest part. Afterwards, though...you're on the road to recovery !!! Best of luck to you!

I have also been off and on (mostly on) iron pills for the last 5 years. I have to take two iron pills everyday. I also have low blood pressure and have been denied to give blood and the nurses were amazed I could walk and talk (and take care of 3 small children!) My DR doesn't seemed too concerned about my iron levels for the surgery and he says that the hysterectomy should solve my blood problems. He recommended to continue the iron pills for 6 weeks after the surgery and then I should be good to go! I can't wait to have energy again and to have my mother quit bugging me about how pale I am! Take care.

Remember, the surgery is the key to getting your iron level back.

When my doc did blood tests in April, she said that my iron levels were the lowest that she'd seen in a person that was still upright! She wanted to do the surgery IMMEDIATELY, like within days, but I had a vacation scheduled for the end of May that I just wasn't willing or able to cancel. So we scheduled for a couple days after my return, Jun 4th.

I work full time and was so tired that I was falling asleep driving and in meetings and just everywhere all the time.

I took iron between my tests and my surgery, about seven weeks. I highly recommend Sundown Perfect Iron, as it is well-tolerated (the regular iron gave me horrendous diarrhea). I took three pills a day, building up to five. Within 10 days, I could feel the difference.

I was not allowed to give blood prior to surgery, but was matched and typed just in case. Surgery went well, and my blood loss was minimal. By my six week check up, my levels were close to normal range.

Follow your doc's directions and try not to worry too much. And remember, having the surgery is the key to stopping the loss of iron.

Last February I went into the hospital with a blood reading of 4. I needed lung surgery (due to complications of pnemonia) and they told me they would not operate on anyone under 6. I had 7 transfusions and they were able to operate. I had a D and C the same day. They sent me home with 3 iron pills a day and 3 months later I had my Hysterectomy and my blood was a 9. It is now a 13 (no more bleeding) and I feel great! People who haven't seen me in awhile all comment that my coloring has changed. I was pale and dragging around so long I didn't realize how bad I felt. Once your blood levels rise you will feel a MAJOR difference! Good Luck!

That was the reason I had the surgery. My Doctor said if we didn't I would end up in the ER for emergency surgery. I had a two day notice. My levels were 6.1 he said they had been so low for so long that he couldn't believe I was functioning. He said it was like a car only running on half the spark plugs. I am still taking iron pills (yuck) and will be for awhile but I am looking less like "Casper the ghost wearing sunglasses".

Good Luck

TAH/BSO & appendix
Large fibroids & a surprise case of endo
severe anemia

8-24-01

started on "femhrt" on 9-19-01