Hi!

I just went to my 3 hour pre-op class today and the nurse told me that I have to have another blood test because my iron levels are low. She said that I am anemic and that you have to be at a 10 or above to have surgery and I am at 11. Does anyone have any idea what the number actually means and how likely it would be that my levels would drop by 2 in a matter of about 2 weeks? My surgery is scheduled for May 15th so I dont have much time to take iron supplements and let them start working and take ANOTHER test so I'm just hoping that the likelihood of dropping by 2 is UNlikely! If anyone has any ideas or thoughts about this I'd love to hear them. I'm really nervous with only 13 days to go!

Thanks for your help!

Im not sure exactly what the numbers mean, but my doc had me take Ferrous Sulfate 325mg three times a day for 2 weeks. This brought my levels up, and it was especially helpful in keeping my energy levels up during my two week liquid diet.

Thanks for responding! The LPN at the pre-op class yesterday sent a prescription in for iron supplements yesterday but unfortunatly I had to have the blood taken today. I dont have enough time to take them and then have another test taken before surgery so I'm HOPING that my levels havent dropped. I'm hoping that the 2 weeks that I can take the supplements leading up to surgery will help me with my energy and healing after surgery.

The number is probably your hemoglobin level. Take the supplements and see what your levels turn out. If the anemia is a new thing, the doctor may want to run other tests to find out what is causing the anemia.

Best of luck with your surgery!