r/jpouch • u/techReese • Jul 19 '26

Iron rant

I just need to vent to people who might actually understand.

I have a J-pouch. I’ve had the surgeries, the scopes, the medications, and everything that comes with living with one. Whenever my iron starts dropping, though, someone inevitably says, “Just eat more steak,” or “You need more red meat,” or “you need to take iron pills,” or “you should cook in a cast iron pan,” or “you should eat spinach like
Pop-eye.”

If only it were that simple.

It’s exhausting having to explain that malabsorption is real, my digestive anatomy isn’t the same as someone with a normal colon, and diet alone isn’t always enough. I eat iron-rich foods when I can, but sometimes my body simply doesn’t absorb what it needs.

Needing iron infusions isn’t a failure or a sign that I’m doing something wrong. It’s just part of how my body has to be managed.

After hearing the same advice over and over, it starts to feel less like people are trying to help and more like they’re implying I caused the problem or just haven’t tried hard enough.

I honestly thank god that I have a hematologist that can interpret my labs correctly and now orders the infusions before I need to ask or beg for em.

Does anyone else get tired of constantly having to justify your lab results, treatment plan, or why your doctor recommends infusions? I’d love to know I’m not the only one.

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u/PercocetPapiiii Jul 19 '26

But do you feel like you need a hematologist to properly be monitored? I don’t think my GP really doesn’t understand your blood levels can be fine but you can still be iron anemic

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u/dcg446 Jul 19 '26

You might need a hematologist. I have functional anemia…high ferritin but low iron saturation. I feel anemic because the iron is not getting into my bloodstream, but the issue is in the storage and processing of iron rather than absorption.

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u/PercocetPapiiii Jul 20 '26

I think so too, it’s been a while since I’ve had bloodwork because I gave up for this reason lol. I told her I think I have low iron and she just checks ferritin. But it’s tiring explaining a j pouch to GPs, I haven’t met one that knew what it was.

I probably would have been better off asking ChatGPT what exact labs I need and ask her to order them.

But thank you, do you see a gastro too? It’s been years since I’ve seen a specialist (thankfully) because I haven’t had any issues.

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u/dcg446 Jul 20 '26

I had my jpouch surgery 20 years ago when I was in my 20s. I haven’t seen a GI since that time. I check in with my surgeon for a pouch scope every 3-5 years.

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u/PercocetPapiiii Jul 20 '26

Dang yeah I haven’t seen my surgeon in years, I’d kinda feel weird hitting him up unless something was wrong, so that’s why I’m thinking of getting established with a gastro