Wondering if iron dose age should vary depending on weight please?

[Jo5454]

Hi

I usually take Ferrous fumerate to help with iron levels. I’m wondering if this should vary depending on weight please as when I was ordering Three Arrows which is on its way, it asks for weight to work out a daily dose. Mine came to needing between 20 and 40ish a day.

I’ve been & until it arrives taking 2x210mg tablets (65mg iron)and wondering if this is too much please? My ferritin dropped to 37 from 49 since b12 loading dose and I was taking 2 tablets each day. Im experiencing symptoms linked to iron as well as b12.

Appreciate I should keep an eye on iron panel, Dr wouldn’t do one, so know that this is too low for me, so can will spend money on an iron panel in a few months time….

Any ideas much appreciated thank you

[Orchard33]

As you know, ferritin falls with high B12 intake, I assume until blood is restored to how it should be. Three Arrows heme iron is very effective. My understanding is that, as absorbable iron is ingested ferritin is released from sites in the body to utilize it. I also assume that ferritin levels will rise as a consequence of (heme) iron ingestion and absorption. Any comment from a scientist contributor would be appreciated here.

[Jo5454 in reply to Orchard33]

Thank you,good to hear another positive report about Three Arrows,looking forward to mine arriving.I just wondered if we are only advised heme iron in lower amounts or whether I'm overdosing on the ferrous fumarate for my weight. Thank you for your info...

[Orchard33 in reply to Jo5454]

I never thought about weight re dosage. But I take heme iron every other day or it tends to upset my stomach and gut but not in the way fumarate does. I think heme is concentrated and rich in absorbable iron. A shock to my aging system but a very positive shock.

[Jo5454]

Ive noticed it’s harder to tolerate 2 ferrous fumerate a day compared to one, and then on seeing the need to put in weight when ordering, made me think!

Ah I see thank you, that’s a useful tip.I thought it’s supposed to be gentler on stomach but I guess as you say, sometimes blasts of things that we need may take a bit of tolerating. I’m sure I’ve read that not having enough iron also allows other things like yeasts, etc to grow out of hand, so some of the upset may even be due to it resolving that kind of thing. Do you take just one? Glad it’s a positive shock!

[Hockey_player]

If you are taking iron, it would be good to test to make sure your iron levels are not too high. Unlike B12, too much iron is bad for you.

[Jo5454 in reply to Hockey_player]

Thank you, my ferritin is only 37 so are you saying please I should be checking iron still at this moment in time? In past ferritin levels of 50+ have shown I need iron on an iron panel,so presumed this is prob still the case.Dr won't do iron panel, I've tried 3 companies, 2 attempts at each for iron panel last yr that haemolysed, so would have to pay a considerable amount for venous test. I thought I'd save my money until after I've been taking iron for longer, then check? Many thanks !

[Hockey_player in reply to Jo5454]

Not now but after you have been taking iron for awhile.

[WIZARD6787]

I consider my weight as a 180 lb male when deciding on dosage of supplements. I subjectively consider dosage advice that is based on weight to likely be more scientifically based.

[Jo5454]

Thank you, yes I thought it sounded promising Three Arrows does that to give an idea. I’m underweight at mo at 7st 4, so sure it must make a difference when considering tablets/etc.