My hematologist has been watching my iron saturation levels for the past few months because they have been steadily declining. Iron Saturation should be between 20-50 percent. My iron saturation at my previous appointment (late December) was only 15%, which is a full 25% below the minimum.
In order to rectify this, the substitute hematologist would like me to get weekly iron infusions for four weeks. I doubt my usual hematologist would have scheduled me for infusions (because my iron has been low before), but I don’t think it can hurt to at least try them. To be fair, this is the lowest my iron saturation has been, so I can’t say with 100% certainty that my normal doctor wouldn’t have scheduled infusions. Also, my iron has been on the low end of normal for months. In mid-September it dropped to 21% and has essentially fluctuated between 17-21 ever since.
I had the option of iron supplements instead of infusions, but they’re hard on the stomach and with my GI problems I didn’t want or need any additional nausea.
My first infusion is Friday the 13th (spooky!). Luckily, I’m not nervous at all because I saw plenty of other patients getting iron infusions back in June while I was doing IVIG. It only takes about 30-45 minutes and, hopefully, should have little to no side effects. Fingers crossed!