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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