Taking injections when iron is low

[Andypandy30]

If my iron is low and I’m getting symptoms of low iron is it ok to continue b12 injections . I’m taking iron and trying to keep levels up but still have symptoms

[wedgewood]

Yes , it’s fine to continue take in your B12 injections . Perhaps you need your B12 injections a bit more regularly .

[Andypandy30 in reply to wedgewood]

Thanks wedgewood it’s so tricky trying to balance them but I am thinking the same as you

[fbirder]

Absolutely you should continue with your B12.

Having B12 injections does not, and can not, increase your requirements for other nutrients. Only during the first few weeks of treatment following macrocytic anaemia might levels of iron and potassium fall.

[Andypandy30 in reply to fbirder]

This was my concern that Iron levels would fall more with more frequent injections

[fionasloane]

Iron deficiency can mean you have too few red blood cells or that they're not efficient at transporting oxygen around your body. Lack of B12 makes the red blood cells 'stringy' rather than round and less efficient at transporting oxygen, so in the latter case at least, B12 will be a key component of helping your iron supplements have the desired effect.

[Andypandy30 in reply to fionasloane]

I see , thank you for explaining that

[fbirder in reply to fionasloane]

No. A B12 deficiency makes the red cells larger, but they are still the same discoid shape as ordinary red cells. Being larger makes them less efficient at carrying oxygen because they have a, proportionally, smaller surface area.

[fionasloane in reply to fbirder]

I stand corrected, thanks. But the same idea applies.

[TFH1]

What type of iron are you taking? if its ferrous sulphate there are other types of iron that seem to be more effective. There was a very informative thread on this last week that would be worth looking up.

[Andypandy30 in reply to TFH1]

Thank you I will check for that thread . I’m on ferrous fumerate 305 mg twice daily

[Showgem]

I have b12 injections and my doctor prescribes iron tablets for ferritin deficiency. So yes you sometimes need both.

[Andypandy30]

Yes taking both just can’t get the balance right with the iron and symptoms I get are definitely iron deficiency related such as craving ice