I'm seeing my surgeon for my second anniversary consult. I've got my labs in hand, and my dh and I are making some questions about the anemia issues. You guys have been listening to me pretty steady for the past 2 years. Anyone got any questions YOU think I should bring up?

Just asking...you guys may be noticing something that I've missed?

Thanks in advance.

Behold, the power of the HOOD!

The only thing that I could possibly think that you won't ask since you are so well prepared is about your insomnia. There may be a connection between it and all the supplements and if so, he should be able to help and hopefully, NOT with another supplement!

Best of luck and I hope you will post what he says about the anemia since I have chronic anemia and the doc is always having labs done on me to be sure my iron count is okay.

Thanks Celadon, I'll ask and be sure to post back what he says. I've spent the last hour comparing my labs before surgery, with last year and this year. I'm amazed at how much better my cholesterol is now than it was back before my surgery! Even though I eat so much more red meat now! Maybe Dr. Atkins was right all along, and it's the white starchy, sugary carbs that cause the problems with protein and fat....BamaGal would love this conclusion! Bama I salute you!

Here's a weird one though: my Carnitine is low...what the heck is carnitine and it's function?

Also, my B12 was high last year, and it's MUCH higher this year! What the heck? Can't wait to ask him about all of this. Can you get TOO MUCH B12? Let me guess, too much B12 cause anemia, right!?

My appointment is tomorrow afternoon. 2 hour drive each way. I won't be home for the live chat, but I'll carry you all with me.

Hmm. I would ask about that kidney thing that came up a while ago on another thread.

Drive safe and enjoy the pretty weather!

Kim: Oh yeah, I got that on the list. Thanks for the reminder! And thanks for the well wishes. The drive should be amazing tomorrow....

Cant think of anything else Sandi...but goodluck and I hope you get some answers.

Interesting about the B12. Mine is ALWAYS high and I dont take B12 pills either...once in a blue moon i'll pop one in my mouth but thats it.

I havent had labs done in a while...but since my annual will come up in March...I'm sure to get everything done then.


Julie

You asked, so here it is:

Carnitine, derived from an amino acid, is found in nearly all cells of the body. Its name is derived from the Latin carnus or flesh, as the compound was isolated from meat. Carnitine is the generic term for a number of compounds that include L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

Carnitine plays a critical role in energy production. It transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidized ("burned") to produce energy. It also transports the toxic compounds generated out of this cellular organelle to prevent their accumulation. Given these key functions, carnitine is concentrated in tissues like skeletal and cardiac muscle that utilize fatty acids as a dietary fuel.

Animal products like meat, fish, poultry, and milk are the best sources. In general, the redder the meat, the higher its carnitine content. Dairy products contain carnitine primarily in the whey fraction.

So, we probably ALL have too much considering all the protein and whey we eat!

Well Sandi, since your carnitine is low...that is indicating that you are not absorbing the protein that you are eating (I'm only assuming here...) which would also explain why your iron is low. That slab-o-beef is just sliding right through your body like it's on a waterslide at the park! I'd look into what you could combine with your protein to make it "stick" better.

Here's what happened: Dr. J and I sat down with my labs. He had a big long form that he filled out. We talked about each item and I asked all the questions that I had. I was with him for about 20 minutes. He wants me to do the labs and visit again next year. He's very very proud of my success.

Here were his recommendations:
!. Reduce my B12 intake to once a month or just get it from a BComplex pill
2. See a hematologist about my anemia and he recommended going for possible iron transfusions until I get my iron stable. He's pretty sure that dealing with the fibroids will take care of the anemia, but still thinks that I need to get the iron up BEFORE I get too serious about the marathons.
3. Begin taking L-carnitine and B1.

So, I'll book a follow up with my PCP and find a hematologist and I'll keep you posted!

Sandi,

While I didn't get anemia, my Iron levels were very low until having a total hysterectomy (TH) May 2006--approximately 13 months after WLS. Even though I was taking 65mg Elemental Iron three times each day, my levels stayed below normal. It dropped down to 11 at one point. Less than a year after the TH, while taking only one dose of Iron daily, my level had upped to 73, which is about mid-range for normal. Perhaps those fibroids are more responsible for the low levels than they even know?

Savanah, this is what I'm hoping too! The don quai seems to be helping, but I want to check with the pcp and hematologist before too much time goes by.