Low iron

[Heather-rose]

I’ve been struggling with my RLS more than usual lately and asked my doctor to test my iron levels. They came back low 5. I take ferrous fumarate as I have anemia but the Dr has prescribed ferrous sulfate as well is it okay to take both?

[SueJohnson]

If the 5 refers to your ferritin, you need an iron infusion. I would really push for it, as that is extremely low. If you can't get it the key figure is the elemental iron. The ferrous fumarate assuming it is 120 mg has 65 to 70 mg of elemental iron. Anything over 85 mg of elemental iron is a waste. Ferrous sulfate has 65 mg so even there, there is some waste. But you can take both.

Take your iron with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Ferrous sulfate is fine for most people, but if you have problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better. Take it every day at the same time so it is at least 24 hours apart, preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption. If you take magnesium, calcium or zinc take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion or after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets.

[Heather-rose in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you for all that advice.

[Hidden in reply to Heather-rose]

Hi Heather. Please do try the ferrous bisglycinate. In the meantime, please try taking your full dose of iron on an empty stomach about an hour before bed. If you’re like me, and many others on here, your RLS will be gone in one hour for one night. Please see below links and read them:

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

healthunlocked.com/user/pen...

[Heather-rose in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[RLS789]

Hi Heather-Rose, My experience was helped by Sue Johnsons comments below, I used Ferrous Bi-Glycinate and I took 15mg inconjunction with Vit C and B12 , it took quite a few months to get my levels back to normal I also started to eat some red meat which I had seldom eaten as my family convinced me to be vegan, finally after many months my ferritin got back to close and above 100 where it had been down in the low 20's or so.

I can finally run again and regained a normal life, keep us posted , best of luck also dont be afraid of eating cooked oysters for a great iron and protein boost