Advice re iron

[gobojo]

Please could I have some advice. I have found a doctor who is prepared to admit that I know more about restless legs than she does and will therefore listen to me.

A blood test showed that my brain iron was below what it needed to be so she issued a prescription for ferrous sulfate.

My problem is that it causes constipation. I can request iron bisglycinate as I know that is less likely to cause a problem. I have some 20mg tablets already. How many tablets at that dose do I need to take and do I need to take them every night? I haven't as yet had another blood test. When I do, if it show that I now have the correct levels, do I still need to continue taking iron?

Thank you so much to everyone who shares their expertise, I really don't know what we'd do without you!

[Joolsg]

I would take 3 x20mg ferrous bisglycinate every OTHER night on an empty stomach with Vit C.Keep taking them. Professor Toby Richards who spoke at our AGM says it's almost impossible to raise levels too high with oral iron.

[gobojo in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks so much Jools.

[SueJohnson]

What is your ferritin? If you don't know call the office and ask and report back here. This is important as it will determine if you need even more than what Joolsg said. But otherwise her advice is correct. Also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption.

Take it 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 turmeric 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 to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.

As far as what to do once you reach the correct levels - I would keep taking the iron until your ferritin reaches at least 300. Then you can stop taking iron but check it every 6 months.

[gobojo in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. The only relevant bit - Serum Ferritin level 61 ug/L [30.0 - 250.0] I think there's another one that's relevant but it's not showing on the record of the test result.

[SueJohnson in reply to gobojo]

OK, then take the iron tablets as advised above. It it were lower I would have had different advise.