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Low Ferritin Level

I have had a gastric bypass.  Normally my nutritional levels are fine and are checked regularly by my IM physician.  I have had problems with extremely low ferritin levels, though my Hgb and Hct are normal (low, but normal).  A while back I had an enormous ovarian cyst that required a transfusion of blood and platelets.  I'm not sure I quite ever recovered from that, hemodynamically.  That would be my only guess as to the chronic anemia.  I don't tolerate iron supplements very well.  I'm on Replevia now, and just kind of toughing it out, as my Ferritin was 8.  I have had occasional heart palpitations and chest pains.  I'm only 35, and am chronically cold.  I wear sweaters in the middle of summer.  I am 5'6" and weigh 180 pounds (used to weigh 320).  I didn't think to mention the intermittent chest pain to my doctor, as I didn't realize it may be a symptom of the anemia and it just comes and goes.  If my most recent lab tests don't indicate increased ferritin levels that are adequate enough, she is talking about an IV infusion of iron, but wanted to try everything else because of the potential side effects of IV iron.  I'm not sure if I should just wait, or if this is a significant enough symptom to mention?  


This discussion is related to Low Ferritin.
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Avatar universal
I am waiting to get scheduled for the infusion.  Honestly, I can't imagine having more energy than I do now.  My hope is that the other symptoms will go away.  If I come to realize that I have been having fatigue from this and it helps, then all the better.  My levels had come up to 11 after two months of Replevia.  I have learned some about the differences in diet.  I've been eating well for a gastric bypass patient, but not for someone with low ferritin.  I now separate my dairy or legumes from my meats by several hours.  That has been difficult for me.  I like my cheese and tofu as well as my meat.  I'm cutting back on my tea.  I drink decaffinated tea, but I was told it still wasn't helpful.  Hopefully, this will help me retain more of the iron I'm ingesting.  
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Avatar universal
I have had stomach surgery also. I have to do the iron infusions and it is like having a new life. Don't wait it will change your life.
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

Chest pain that you are having is due to your anemia.Ferritin is the total amount of iron stored in the body. If ferritin is low there is a risk for lack in iron which could lead to anemia.Ferritin stores are the last to deplete in anemia.So if ferittin is low,it means that there is severe iron deficiency anemia.

Chest pain occurs because your heart has to work harder to pump more oxygen-rich blood through your body.When heart is under stress,it can lead to arrhythmias and heart failure.

Pls consult your doctor as soon as possible and pls don’t delay in getting I/V iron infusion.Most important motive of I/V infusion now is to relieve the stress from heart.

      Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.
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