Iron supplements

Is it ok to take iron supplement at night before bed? I can't take it before breakfast, makes me too ill. Anyone on iron and take at bedtime? does it keep you awake?

[SueJohnson]

Yes - in fact that is the preferred time to take it.

[Joolsg]

It's the best time to take it if you have RLS as that's when brain iron levels dip & most RLS patients have low brain iron.

[ChrisColumbus]

Yes, but IF you're also taking a magnesium supplement take the Mg at least 2 hours away from the iron (and IF you're moved on to gabapentin since the buprenorphine debacle, Mg at least 3 hours apart from the gabapentin)

[BoldMove in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I read where magnesium is best taken in the morning and calcium in the evening for better sleep. I've done so for the last few days and have had some slight improvements, but not consistent.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to BoldMove]

I currently take my maintenance dose of 200mg of magnesium citrate in the morning, but in the past have taken up to 3 x 200mg/day. Mg certainly helps some, including me (I don't take any meds for RLS), but it does nothing for others including my brother.

[BoldMove in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I don't take any meds either. Someone mentioned fennel, I will get some and try that as well.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to BoldMove]

Magnesium citrate and malate both can have a laxative effect; magnesium glycinate generally doesn't have a laxative effect and can aid sleep - which is when one has to balance the timing against other inputs. Other forms of magnesium are much less bioavailable and therefore less likely to help with RLS.

I'm ignorant of any timing issues around calcium..

[Hidden in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I take 200mgs magnesium glycinate at night to help with sleep about 9.30pm, could I take the iron before the mag? at about 7pm

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

Yes - as long it is 2 hours apart.

Have you had your ferritin tested? Is that why you are taking iron to raise it? If so Take it every other day, 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 as you do , 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 3 months if you are taking iron tablets.

I just noticed you can't take it on an empty stomach. In that case you can take it with food although you won't absorb as much that way.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Hidden]

As long as they're taken 2+ hours apart that should be fine: taking iron with vitamin C if poss helps absorption.

Which iron supplement are you taking? Iron bisglycinate ('Gentle Iron') is least likely to cause upsets.

UPDATE: I see that Sue has given additional advice while I was writing this...

[DicCarlson]

Empty stomach w/vitamin C or orange juice.

[Hidden in reply to DicCarlson]

can't, too sick on empty stomach

[DicCarlson in reply to Hidden]

Patch MD sells a patch ferrous bisglycinate chelate - I haven't tried it, but it bypasses the digestion system.

[Chiby-azul]

I don’t which kind of iron you take because the only one that don’t give any issues is the glycinate and you can take any time my is at night because it help me with the RLS and right now is the only thing that I am taking for that problem because I also suffer from peripheral neuropathy and this one is giving me more problems now but I am working to find also reliefs with the pain

[Hidden in reply to Chiby-azul]

ferro grad with vit c is the iron I have been put on 105mgs. Have you found anything that helps with your peripheral neuropathy?