[kbfrmaz]

OK- got my results back today....here we go

Sodium- one point low- doc said drink more fluids
Vitamin A- low (what do I do?)
Vitamin D- low- doc said to up calcium supplement.
Iron- normal, but almost low so they are putting me on a supplement (324g) on top of what my multivitamin already provides (only 36g)
HDL cholesterol a little low- wants me to take a omega 3 fish oil supplement.

Everything else was normal. (kidneys, liver, thyroid, vitamins/minerals)

OK- so now I am STRESSED OUT! I have a hard time getting in my 3 vitamins and 2 calcium a day as it is. Now I am supposed to add 4 more pills! That would be 4 calcium, 2 multivitamin, 1 iron, 1 omega 3, 1 b12. This seems overwhelming....any ideas?

Also, how do I help the vitamin A increase?

[DocSanae]

Off the top of my head.

Check out the nutritional facts of your multivitamins, and confirm how much of what arein them. If they are lacking in any of the vitamins and minerals you need, you'll have to find supplements that include them.
Also, if you have an issue with so many pills, check out the option of liquid vitamins, or sprays as well. (ragdolldude swears by the liquid vits.)

VitA is related to visual acuity, and there have been reports of bypass post ops suffering from vision loss due to VA difficiency, so you need to make sure this comes up to speed.

One way, if you are not doing so yet, is to space your pills apart at least by 2 hours, group them with ones that can be taken together, and set up a timetable to keep in getting them in.

(((((HUGS)))))

[greensgirl19]

My 3 month blood work should be coming up soon. I'm nervous because I have an appt to see the doc, but no one gave me a lab slip, so I may get it done when I go, but then what about getting the results? Prob over the phone.
Anyways, at least you know that you're good for the most part and can just adjust a few things. If you need to look at supplements, I like vitacost.com because they have good prices, cheap shipping and usually LOTS of reviews so you can see if people like the product.
I just found out I've been taking the wrong calcium, so I looked at 2 chewable ones on there and because of the reviews, I think I got the right one. I'll see when I get my labs done if I really screwed up!

[Trulykath]

I don't know what kind of vitamins you are taking....but I've heard some patients who are put on like flintstones chewables wind up with low labs....I've been on bariatric advantage since day one and my labs are REALLY good....I take 2 calcium and 2 multi EVERY morning and I haven't required additional supplements at all...no iron etc...I do eat a lot of protein, drink TONS of water (and because of this, I take an over the counter potassium supplement to stop leg cramps and charlie horses).

[ragdolldude]

I just had my 2 year labs and will be posting results. I've tried to be concientious about finding the best vitamins I could, that were easy to take, and not expensive. I finally found the liquid vitamin that I've been taking for the last 6 months. One ounce of my liquid vitamins is all I take daily. Link below had information. I also use a powdered calcium citrate to avoid taking mulitple calcium citrate tablets daily. Powder is mixed with shakes or food.

[kbfrmaz]

Thanks everyone! Right now I take the chewable Centrum morning and evening, as well as calcium midmorning, afternoon, and a B12 too. I may switch to a bariatric one even though it costs more. I just don't want to take pills every 2 hours for the rest of my life.....maybe that isn't the right attitude, but I am hoping I can figure out a way to at least do 4x/day max.

[DeMarie]

I'm suprised you even had an iron issue - you put spinach in everything!!

[kbfrmaz]

Originally Posted by DeMarie

I'm suprised you even had an iron issue - you put spinach in everything!!

Eeesh no kidding! I even had it last night in my spaghetti sauce! I guess we all have to deal with something and since my pouch isn't picky I get to deal with the malabsorption issue!

[qt82699]

im not really sure i can be of much help, i would hate to have to take more pills..yikes!! i take calcuim with vit d and a regular multivitamin every morning and havent had any issues with labs, hope u figure out what works for you, good luck!!

[kimtindall]

Sorry that you are going through this. I have had great lab results and get my next set on Wednesday...I hope that they come back the same! Every morning I take 1 Ferrous Iron pill (60 mg) and then a B1 and Mature Multi Vitamin 2 hours later with a Biotin and Vit E and then take 1 calcium 2 hours later and another calcium sometime in the day. The only problem I had at my last visit was my b12 was really high, but that was because I had the b12 shot the day before the blood work. This time I waited 30 days for the blood work and then got the b12 shot. Make sure that you are taking the Ferrous Iron since that is what we absorb better. You should see a change in that if you start taking it. I tried to find a Multi vit that didnt have iron or calcium, but couldnt...I opted for one that just had the calcium in it and take the Iron separate.