Gentle Iron

[agapepilgrim]

The Gentle Iron I ordered came in today. I read all your advice about taking it and thought the advice was to take it at night. To my surprise, it has B12 in it.! B12 is my energy supplement- I can’t take it at night! So, do I take it morning or noon? These supplements and meds are getting very confusing. I must take my thyroid med first thing before getting out of bed, and lie still for an hour. Next, I take my methylfolate and B12 sublingual. After those are dissolved, I can then take my allergy meds and bronchitis med. I get up whenever, eat whenever and take multi vit, etc, etc. In the evening, I must take my magnesium at one point. Later, I take my probiotics alone. Later, I take Xanax and Celexa, then later CBD gummies. At what point do I take the Gentle Iron? I now have 7 pill dispensers marked with day of week so I don’t forget to take anything at the right time and with or without food. So, what time of day do you take Gentle iron and did you say 2 tablets every other day, or 1 every day and with or without food, etc etc etc

One very confused, overwhelmed warrior.

[Frances_B]

Has your doctor actually tested you to see if you have an iron deficiency? If not then you should get that done before taking iron supplements - they can have some not so nice other effects on people (e.g. constipation - which is often not a good one for PwMS) and can interact with other medications.

[agapepilgrim in reply to Frances_B]

Hi. Yes, doc tested complete iron study. My ferritin was 80. He thought that was ok, but writers here said it should be over 100. My primary care doesn’t understand the fine line that MSers must maintain. He “scolds” me if D level over 30, but according to research , MS requires 50. So I ignore him on that one.

[Jesselespaul in reply to agapepilgrim]

Perhaps I’m just fortunate, but after 7 yrs of Rituxan 2x a year, regular labs, D, folate every day & occasional B12 - I trust my neuro. We are all so different.

I wish you the very best on this journey we share….

[BlanketTime1 in reply to Jesselespaul]

a few years ago i had a bleeding ulcer (thanks nsaid) and took iron, but had no idea there was an optimal time for it!

[Sandydemop]

hi agapepilgrim i take magnesium (500mg) at bedtime because it helps eliminate muscle spasms. I also recommend blood work for B vitamins and iron levels and whatever else. is there one doctor or nurse practitioner who knows all your meds? and can check for interactions? wishing you well.

[agapepilgrim in reply to Sandydemop]

yes my primary care doc has been overseeing all my meds for 15 years now. He does CBC every 6 months. I take magnesium every night, also. Helps the RLS.

[BettysMom]

I take Solgar's Gentle Iron. It has 25 mg of iron as iron bisglycinate. There is no B12 or any other vitamin in it. The directions say to take one tablet daily, preferably with a meal. This and other iron supplements can be taken any time of day. Regarding your thyroid medication: The advice is usually to take the medication first thing upon arising and to avoid eating or drinking anything for 30-60 minutes. I can't imagine why you would be advised to take it before arising and to lie still for an hour.

[ahrogers]

Iron usually absorbs better if taken with vitamin C. You could take it at the same time as your multivitamin with a snack or meal.

[whwiechm]

My GP has told me to NOT take iron supplements with milk because that can inhibit absorption of the iron. I have given blood to the Red Cross for years but my iron is becoming more borderline now.

[agapepilgrim in reply to whwiechm]

I stopped giving blood a long time ago because they said they could only use my platelets and since my vein usually collapses they said it wasn’t worth my pain because they couldn’t use all of my blood anyway. My husband gave for years because he is type O (but I am AB positive) but since on blood thinners due to stroke he can’t give either.

[mrsmike9]

I wonder why you have to lay for an hour after taking your thyroid med. I have to take it 45 minutes to an hour before eating anything but I can be up and around. My blood tests always show the level to be fine. Sometimes I happen to wake up early and take it and go back to bed (simply because it's a bit too early) and sometimes I get up and watch the news until I can have breakfast. I have never heard of anyone who has to lay down after taking it!

[agapepilgrim in reply to mrsmike9]

I think the reason I do is because I am so sleepy and foggy when I wake up, I need decaf coffee asap (with cream), so to avoid forgetting to wait 1 hour, I was told to wait one hour before getting up. I am very forgetful and absent minded (major MS brain fog) so I thought his advice was helpful for my state of mind.

[starlight5]

I've read that the tannins in tea can interfere with iron absorption, so one should not to drink tea with your meal. I don't know how that applies to iron supplements though...

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I would say to talk with your doctor about this but it seems that you already have, agapepilgrim ! Perhaps have them refer you to a doctor that specializes in supplements? Keep Smiling