The Complexities of Iron Deficiency in Patients After Bariatric Surgery
February 2017
in “
The American journal of medicine
”
TLDR People often have iron deficiency after weight-loss surgery, which can cause symptoms like hair loss and dizziness, and iron levels should be tested to diagnose it.
Iron deficiency was a common issue after bariatric surgery, often overlooked by healthcare providers. A case report of a 34-year-old woman post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass highlighted symptoms like increased hair loss and occasional dizziness, despite adherence to vitamin and nutrient guidelines. Laboratory tests confirmed iron deficiency, treated with oral ferrous sulfate, which improved her symptoms. The study emphasized the importance of routine testing, including complete blood count, ferritin, iron concentration, and total iron-binding capacity, to diagnose and treat iron deficiency effectively. Ferritin was noted as the most sensitive and specific test for iron deficiency, though its accuracy post-surgery was less certain.
