Iron Supplements

[violetta254]

I have always had very low blood pressure to the point of having to add extra salt to my diet. I have been taking 50mg of iron bigylcinate every night which does help me sleep and diminish my RLS. But now my blood pressure as risen to the 130-140/70s and I am wondering if I am getting too much iron and that could be the cause of the blood pressure rise. Any ideas, anyone?

[SueJohnson]

Excessive iron can raise blood pressure but taking 50 mg isn't excessive. If you are still taking excess salt that is more likely the problem. Try stopping that.

[violetta254 in reply to SueJohnson]

I only take salt when I get dizzy and take my blood pressure and it is in the 50s so no I have not been doing that.

[SueJohnson in reply to violetta254]

Well then you could stop taking the iron and see if that lowers it but if I remember correctly taking it every night stopped your RLS. So you might try taking less.

[violetta254]

Yes, I love the effect but I will try cutting the dose in 1/2 and perhaps not take Vit. C with it so it will absorb a little less.

[Eryl]

The idea that salt makes your plood pressure go up is an out of date idea, the fact is that it's the balance of electrolytes that is most important. The body has a natural in built mechanism for regulating salt and any excess will be expelled in your urine. You may be short on potassium or magnesium. Systemic inflammation can deplete your iron levels so instead of supplementing iron concentrate on reducing the inflammation caused by your diet.

[violetta254]

Sorry but you know nothing about me so please spare me the "advice". All of my electrolytes are quite balanced and my diet is fine as are my iron levels. I take iron to help me sleep and keep away the RLS, period. I have supplemented with Salt Sticks when my blood pressure gets dangerously low. Thank you Sue and Jools and others for great information about RLS but you, Eryl, need to stop the "shoulds".

[Eryl in reply to violetta254]

I'm just giving you facts.

[violetta254]

No you are not. This is not a fact, it is an opinion and not an informed one. ( ... so instead of supplementing iron (you should (sic) concentrate on reducing the inflammation caused by your diet). And you seem to give the same "facts"to everyone. Please refrain.