Can you help me understand the meanings and effects of iron bloodwork and point me toward what questions I should be asking my physician?
I recently found out that I am pregnant; 5 weeks now. I have had two rounds of bloodwork done. One set for my OBGYN last week, and another set for my gastric bypass surgeon this week.
Last week:
TIBC is low.
UIBC, serum, saturation all within normal limits.
This week:
TIBC and serum within normal limits.
UIBC is low
Saturation & ferritin are both high.
In between these tests I switched from standard OTC iron tabs daily to bariatric formula chewable iron supplements.
The only reason why I’m so concerned is because the video playing in my OBGYN’s office had a huge segment on the importance of iron… not too much and not too little. Obviously I didn’t care half as much before when it was just me and I felt okay… and my surgeon wasn’t concerned during my followups. But now I’m growing another human and these values make me nervous.
The earliest I can get in to see my surgeon is the 16th, though I am trying to get in to see my primary before then.
I tried googling but honestly I get confused when it comes to things like this unless someone explains it to me like I’m a 5 year old. I’m wondering if anyone can help me understand what these values mean, what I can potentially do to help even things out, and what additional questions, if any, I should be asking my docs about when I can finally see any of them.
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28 Answers
You should be able to call your doctor and ask him or her….
Did your doctor give you the actual results, the numbers, with a guideline showing the expected ranges or just an opinion? It would help to know the results. Excess iron is pretty mean, your body has no way to excrete the excess so it builds up in the organs and joints. Also have you been tested for the hemochromatosis gene?
And congrats on the little poof.
I made a bad assumption (is there a good one) that your doctor had referred you to a nutritionist. There are a lot of foods and habits that can really affect how much iron is in your food or absorbed by your body. Ask them about diet and the iron levels of things. I also have a site in mind but you indicated you prefer not to go that way. Let me know if you want the site.
You need the actual numbers. A mini amount outside of normal likely would not be any reason for concern, but worth staying on top, adjusting your iron intake and possibly doing more tests.
Did you fast for at least 8 hours before the blood tests? I think some if the iron related tests are more accurate fasting.
Was your CBC normal?
Your OB should be pretty well versed in what is going on regarding iron. If he feels something is difficult for him to address you can se a hematologist. Iron is a serious thing when way out of whack, it’s good you are following up.
I do have the numbers… I just didn’t post them because I didn’t want to be like overkill.
Okay last week the TIBC was 225 (250–450)
This week TIBC was 259.
UIBC 107 (150–375)
Saturation 59 (15–55)
Ferritin 405
Did you fast before both tests?
It sounds like a pretty big change for one week apart. I’ll send the Q to a jelly doctor. I just look at the red blood stuff on my CBC and ferratin, so I can’t comment much on the other stuff except what I briefly read on the internet, so I think I will hold my comments.
Actually no I just realized the first was not fasting.
I think the TIBC fluctuates with fasting? We need a doctor.
The iron the first week was an add-on. The purpose was the preg confirmation.
Oh and the CBC was normal first week. Second week the mchc was a smidge high.
I thought the ferratin range topped out at something like 200? I don’t remember. I’m sure it varies by lab and would also matter how it is measured. If I’m right 405 seems very high. What was the range for that?
I don’t have the range on it… that page didn’t print. I wrote the value down.
I sent the Q to osoraro. He’ll know what it means and if you should see a specialist. Hopefully, he sees the Q soon. It might not be anything to worry about and you just need more iron or less iron (red cross can always use a donation) or whatever those numbers mean.
Congrats on the new pregnancy. :)
I wouldn’t worry about it. Honestly. It’s pretty standard to give iron to pregnant women and the iron studies aren’t that remarkable.
Really? Everything you read about pregnancy makes such a big deal about iron.
I know that… it was just a surprise since so many doctors say the opposite.
I said don’t worry about the iron studies. I didn’t say don’t take iron.
BTW…congrats on your pregnancy!
@poofandmook Sounds like you might need to take more. What did your doctor say?
I was referred to a hematologist who told me to quit taking the iron supplements until further notice. He tested me for hemochromatosis and while I do have a pair of h63d genes, that’s apparently the gene that causes the disease something like 1% or less of cases… and actually after not taking the supplement my iron was a bit low and my ferritin had dropped from 400something to 200something. He told me to start taking iron again but I only take it every other or every 2 days.
Oh, well you didn’t mention in your OP that you had a gastric bypass. That’s the danger of getting medical advice from places like Fluther. I withdraw my initial response.
@osoraro: I wasn’t asking in place of advice from my doctor; I was just curious and hoping for some insight prior to seeing my doctor.
I’m glad you saw a specialist. Thanks for the update.
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