Geritol

[Bloodhound669]

If I can recall I think it was Geritol my grandmother took every day. Is it a good source of IRON for RLS?

[SueJohnson]

Geritol has a low amount of elemental iron. Have you had your ferritin tested? If so what was it?

If you need to take iron: If you take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with your doctor. Otherwise, take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate which contains 65 mg of elemental iron, the normal amount used to increase ones ferritin, or 50 mg to 75 mg (which is elemental iron) of iron bisglycinate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption. Ferrous sulfate is fine for most people, but if you have problems with constipation, iron bisglycinate is better.

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, calcium or zinc, even in a multivitamin 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 your iron tablets before or after exercise since inflammation peaks after a workout. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.

[Bloodhound669 in reply to SueJohnson]

I don't have the funds for an outside test for ferritin. I am waiting for my annual in November at the V.A. I will try to remember and request it with my blood workup. As for now, I started taking 65mg of ferrous sulfate twice a day. I may need to up that. I have also started taking 500mg of vitamin C. Continuing with Magnesium Glycinate 500mg and Benfotiamine 150mg /Alpha lipoic acid 300mg, and Vitamin D 1000I.U. Some days I add 99mg of Potassium (from potassium amino acid complex) and L-arginine 1000mg.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bloodhound669]

It's a waste to take it twice a day as when you take it hepciden is released which prevents iron from being absorbed for the next 24 hours.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bloodhound669]

You can get an at home test for around $60 in the US and £41 in the UK. I am not sure if you are in the US or the UK?

[Bloodhound669 in reply to SueJohnson]

U.S. Can't you tell by my stubbornness, ha! It's recommended to take 325mg of iron. So you are saying that I need to take more all at once or is it just futile to take more than 65mg?

[SueJohnson in reply to Bloodhound669]

325 mg of ferrous sulfate is 65 mg of elemental iron. Take it all at one time.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bloodhound669]

My laugh for the day "U.S. Can't you tell by my stubbornness,"😀

[ChrisColumbus]

According to Wikipedia "Geritol is a brand name for several vitamin complexes plus iron or multimineral products in both liquid form and tablets, containing from 9.5 to 18 mg of iron per daily dose".

[Bloodhound669]

Will this do?

Iron test kit