A study aimed to evaluate whether iron supplementation after gastric bypass surgery meets the needs of both sexes. It also examined the potential for iron overload in men when using multivitamin supplements standardized for women. Conducted at a specialized academic outpatient center, the retrospective study spanned up to 36 months post-surgery and included 283 patients (71 men, 130 premenopausal women, and 82 postmenopausal women). The evaluation of iron status was based on serum ferritin concentrations.

Results showed that 33.3% of men, 68.4% of premenopausal women, and 54.5% of postmenopausal women were iron deficient 36 months post-surgery. Preoperative excess ferritin levels were found in 13.7% of premenopausal women, 3.0% of postmenopausal women, and 5.7% of men, which declined over time. The study concluded that iron deficiency is prevalent after gastric bypass surgery, and even high-dose multivitamin and mineral supplements might not be sufficient to prevent it. The findings suggest that iron dosage regimens should be tailored based on sex and age, with iron overload being rare but most common in premenopausal women.

Reference: Kunst I, Krebs M, Dreschl B, et al. Iron Deficiency – Not Only a Premenopausal Topic After Bariatric Surgery? Obes Surg. 2021 Jul;31(7):3242-3250. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05380-3. Epub 2021 Apr 5. PMID: 33821393; PMCID: PMC8175328.