Hello, new here and hoping you can suggest a really good iron supplement that’s gentle on the tummy and vegan friendly. My daughter’s ferritin is
19.80 ug/L (Range: 30 - 169)
Her other vitamins are also a bit rubbishy but I’ve got that covered.
Thanks. 🥰
Fumarate is the most effective and comfortable form of Iron to take. Nature's Nectar Iron Booster is what I use after several years of trying to find something I could tolerate that effectively raised my iron levels. I took 2 a day in the beginning, on in the am and one in the pm.
Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm not a health professional.
I once tried an iron supplement based on iron rich spa water but don't know enough to recommend it.
Search for "iron spa water "
Might be helpful to know if she is an adult or a child as some supplements may not be suitable for children.
"Her other vitamins are also a bit rubbishy but I’ve got that covered."
B12, folate and iron work together in the body so it might worth posting results for these and full blood count results.
For example
Low iron can lead to red blood cells that are smaller than normal (microcytosis).
Low B12 (and low folate) can lead to red blood cells that are larger than normal(macrocytosis)
A person with low iron and low B12 (and/or low folate) might have normal size red blood cells on Full Blood Count (FBC) because effects of low iron can mask effects of low B12/low folate.
Forum members here often report Vit D deficiency.
NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) publish guidelines on iron deficiency.
Search for "NICE anaemia iron deficiency" to find document.
It's also possible to have iron deficiency without anaemia.
This next article is aimed at doctors so some details might be upsetting to read.
Non anaemic iron deficiency
patient.info/doctor/non-ana...
I'm curious as to her vitamin B12 levels.
A vegan diet can be a risk factor in developing B12 deficiency.
It's possible to have B12 deficiency symptoms with normal range serum (total) B12.
Blog post - Your serum B12 is NORMAL – no action required.
b12info.com/your-serum-b12-...
Pernicious Anaemia (PA) is an auto-immune condition that can lead to B12 deficiency.
PA and B12 deficiency can be associated with a type of anaemia called macrocytic anaemia where red blood cells are larger than normal.
Some forum members here also have iron deficiency anaemia.
Pernicious Anaemia Society (PAS)
PAS membership is separate to membership of this forum.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
B12info. com
Above website is run by a UK campaigner on B12 deficiency issues.
If you want to know more about PA and B12 deficiency, I left detailed replies in the thread below.
Help Needed! Have I got Pernicious Anaemia?
healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...
I'm not medically trained.
Thanks for replying much appreciated. She’s in her 30s so should know better 😂. I take Vit D, folate and B12 and they work really well so not worrying about recommending them but not sure which Iron supplement she should use. You are thinking about Spatone but I think she needs something a little stronger but gentle on her tummy.
Hi Joant24 - please note that, although this forum has anaemia in the title, its actually about an auto-immune condition that affects the absorption of B12.
It can also affect the absorption of other micronutrients - iron and folate being the most common so there will be people on the forum who are supplementing iron.
If your daughter is vegan then she needs to be supplementing B12 - supermarket supplement would provide sufficient B12 to prevent a dietary deficiency. Alternatively some foods are fortified with B12 (breakfast cereals and yeast extracts like marmite and vegemite.
In general, from a nutrition point of view, its best to get micronutrients through a well balanced diet.
Hi Solgar gentle iron . But do take note if your daughter is vegan , if she’s not supplementing B12 she could well be deficient . Take note of what Gambit has said .
Hello, I have two suggestions, I have increased my own ferritin more successfully with the first suggestion than after taking prescribed ferrous fumarate (vegan) which made almost no difference. I haven't yet tried the second but have them ready for when I finish the first. The first is Nutrition Geeks Iron which also contains Vitamin C (helps protect against constipation), Vitamin B12 (I'm vegan so happy to have that) and Folic Acid, which I wouldn't choose. What I'm about to try are PatchAid patches described as 'bioavailable plant-based iron from an organic source' which also contain antioxidant vitamin C. Since these don't go through the tummy they might suit your daughter, but, not having tried them yet, I don't know how effective they are. Each patch delivers 90 mg Vit C and 50 mg Iron which the packet states is 278% of the DV. Hope this is of some help.
Hi,
It's possible to have more than one cause of B12 deficiency at the same time.
Risk Factors and Causes for PA and B12 deficiency
pernicious-anaemia-society....
b12-institute.nl/en/causes-...
Her GP should discuss B12 treatment with her if she has symptoms consistent with B12 deficiency even if her serum (total) B12 is within range.
If she has neuro symptoms or lots of other symptoms, I would expect GP to give her B12 injections even if they think it's related to diet.
Symptoms lists
b12info.com/signs-and-sympt...
pernicious-anaemia-society....
theb12society.com/signs-and...
Blog post about being symptomatic for B12 deficiency with normal range serum B12.
b12info.com/your-serum-b12-...
B12 deficiency requires prompt treatment whatever the cause.
If she has symptoms consistent with B12 deficiency, delayed or inadequate treatment increases the risk of developing permanent neuro damage. In severe cases the spinal cord can be affected.
Two useful B12 books
Published a few years ago so some bits might need updating.
Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally Pacholok and J.J. Stuart (US authors).
Very comprehensive. Lots of case histories.
What You need to Know about Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 deficiency
by Martyn Hooper, former chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)
Three UK B12 documents worth reading
"NICE B12 deficiency guideline" published 2024.
"NICE CKS Anaemia - B12 and Folate deficiency"
"BSH Cobalamin and Folate guidelines"
I think it's a good idea to look up relevant local guidelines used by her ICB (Integrated Care Board) in England (Health Board in Wales/Scotland.
If you think she is showing signs of B12 deficiency and her GP isn't listening then these links may be useful
Writing letters to GP about B12 deficiency
b12info.com/writing-to-your...
Thread about Patient Safety, has links for those in UK struggling to get adequate treatment for B12 deficiency.
I wouldn’t recommend fumarate or any of the gentle irons. They all give those of us with sensitive tums a reaction.
My ferritin was low and the only thing that raised it was heme iron. I use Three Arrows Simply Heme from the US. Arrives very quickly, all legal and no problems ordering.
Heme is more easily absorbed than other iron supplement types, you can take it with all foods.
I did some research into Iron Deficiency Without Anaemia (IDWA) which is what I have and learned that regular iron supplements are impacted by what you drink before and after. Tea coffee herbal tea cocoa/chocolate all reduce absorption of regular iron supplements by at least and sometimes more than 40-50% if taken within 1 hour before or up to 2 hours after iron supplements regardless of taking with orange juice etc.
Before supplementing iron/heme you should get a full iron panel done to ensure you are doing the right thing. E.g. Normal HB transferrin and very low ferritin is IDWA. Ensure you know what you are dealing with first 🌱
Hi Joan,
I have been able to raise my ferritin by taking ferrous fumarate, strength 210 Milligram (mg )2 tablets once a day for six months, ideally taken with orange juice or fruit, vit c and keep away from calcium, coffee or tea. Normally it is recommended to take one twice a day but I was also on adcal so I had to keep the two separate from each other, and other medication . My Daughter ( in her thirties) who is more vegetarian takes one ferrous fumarate tablet daily now to stop getting iron deficient. She's also on B12 injections as am I, and D3 and a multi vitamin supplement.
I hope this helps,
Kind regards, M
Help with my 14yr old daughters blood tests 
My b12 results 
Unsure about my results. 
