Advice on iron supplements

[KBird01]

So... the next steps in taking control of my own treatment. I've been for my private bloods this morning including IFAB and gastric parietal antibodies, MMA and homocyeine.

I've now resumed B12 SI and am taking vit D and K2 supplements.

My ferrin is low, so I'm going to start iron supplements. I'd appreciate any good quality links and sources of information re: dosage. I intend to test ferritin again in 4-6 weeks.

Onwards and upwards! 😊

[Nackapan]

My ferritin was 29 and I had symptoms at this level ( was 61) I was prescribed a high dose of iron but couldnt tolerate it. Mixed with folate ?j think 320mg( on prescription

Made me dizzy and ill. Horrid.

Gp then suggested ;

Ferrous fumarate 210mg as has elemental iron. ( can be bought over the counter)

I had 1-2 daily at that stage .

Then 1 every other day.

Inbetween I had solar gentle iron 20mg

Also spartane sachets .

A multivit usually has 14mg.

It usually takes time to raise ferritin / iron .

Mine was retested 3 months after starting supplements .

Didn't raise and stay maintained until about a yesr.

About 58 now ( 11-

Probably my low and steady dosage

Depends on what your reading is?

What other iron results are

How you are feeling

Iron results shoukd be looked at all together by a medic.

Complex.

I personally keep my gp informed on what I'm taking .

After initial discussion.

Ferrous fumarate 210 was last prescribed despite bring told to buy it .

It wasnt t the cost that pushed me to get it prescribed but I wanted the blood tests it then triggers.

At least results scanned by a professional eye .

So on my notes.

It's very difficult I know to get any advice or guidance but it's their job.

Our bodies.

Vitamin c helps you absorb iron.

Little amounts ovef the day csn be absorbed better.

Or liquid forms.

My mum has floradix

Spartone good for taking little amounts ovef the day but a tiny amount 5mg .

Hope you get on okay.

[KBird01 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you Nackapan . My latest ferritin level was 26. GP now informs me this is the highest it's been since 2019, but there's no treatment needed as it's 'in range'. [10 - 180].

As a result, no chance of her treating or testing this again. Another brick wall to bang my head on.

I took a 20mg Solgar Gentle Iron (iron Bisglycinate) yesterday evening, which gave me stomach pains in the night, but that went off after drinking some water.

Looking at what you were prescribed, this is a very low dose.

I'll also need to check out how much 'elemental iron' in things too I guess.

I don't eat meat, so not quite so easy to get iron through food.

So complicated! But thanks again. 😊

[Ghound]

Hi, KBird, Nackapan has very good advice there.My ferritin always runs low if I don't take regular iron. I don't feel even remotely well unless my ferritin is at least 60, it's been as low as 6 !

I can't get hold of ferrous fumarate locally, so I just take ferrous sulphate. It can be quite rough on the digestive system, but if I persist taking them, I seem to build up a tolerance and the gastrointestinal symptoms lessen.

As Nackapan says, iron levels should be monitored for safety.

Best wishes and good health x

[KBird01 in reply to Ghound]

Thank you Ghound . It's always helpful to hear other people's experience. Helps remind me I'm not going round the bend! 😉

[Ghound in reply to KBird01]

Youre welcome, and dont worry, you're definitely not going round the bend ! 😀 x

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Thought these links might be useful

Iron Tests

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

NICE guidance Iron Deficiency

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

Patient Info article Iron Deficiency Anaemia

(aimed at health professionals)

patient.info/doctor/iron-de...

Patient Info article Non-anaemic Iron Deficiency

(aimed at health professionals)

patient.info/doctor/non-ana...

I searched online for "iron clinics uk" and found several.

The British Society for Haematology may have published guidelines/papers on iron deficiency but I haven't looked for these.

[KBird01 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thanks as ever Sleepybunny . I'll keep looking for any consensus around dosage. Does make me wonder how many people are told by their GPs that their ferritin levels are fine when they're borderline at best. 😑

[Sleepybunny in reply to Sleepybunny]

The BMJ (British Medical Journal) has lots of published articles on iron deficiency.

[KBird01 in reply to Sleepybunny]

I'll do a search. Thank you! 😊