Can anyone comment on Solgar Gentle Iron? Ferrous bisglycinate vs ferrous fumarate...

[puncturedbicycle]

My ferritin was 19 (11-336) so I'd like to make a start so I bought what I found in my local health food shop. Generally I like Solgar products because they don't have a lot of junk in them, but I don't know how much to take of this iron. It is ferrous bisglycinate and not ferrous fumarate. Any thoughts?

solgar.com/SolgarProducts/G...

[Pinkpoppy]

Hi, my ferritin was at 9 to begin with (now up to 33 nearly a year later) I was prescribed 210mg x3 a day of ferrous fumerate which I still take ! Although I am prescribed this by my gp I still get it over the counter at boots at the same dose for half the cost. Could you buy it from a local pharmacy/chemist ? X

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Pinkpoppy]

Hi. Yes, thanks, but this is what I have now so I wondered how best to take it. x

[Deedee46 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

My daughter was very anemic, and we decided to try some otc iron before getting prescription. I bought couple of different ones to try. Solgar gentle iron 25mg was what she tried first, and she began noticing a difference almost immediately. No constipation. Buys a years supply each year to take back to JP with her.

[Pinkpoppy]

Hmmm sorry not sure how it compares with ferrous fumerate ! Hopefully someone else may know the answer, I would think you could do with quite a hefty dose ! X

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Pinkpoppy]

Yes, I'm desperate to feel better! I hope it turns out to be my iron which is making me feel so ill and not my meds, as I dread having to rejig the meds all over again.

Onward and upward, etc. x

[Coppernob in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Can't you bully your GP/consultant into giving you an iron infusion? Or injections? I had an infusion in February when my ferritin was 10. Awaiting retest results. But my consultant said oral formulations take months to work, and infusion/injection would be much quicker. Also, I can't tolerate any oral form of iron as it exacerbates already dire constipation!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Coppernob]

I think if I was not within the normal range I might be able to (those crucial 9 units make all the difference ), and I can ask at my next appt tomorrow, but I'm also going to discuss a referral to the breast clinic and a physio and possibly sweet-talk them about my low tsh so I have to choose my battles.

The Solgar product is meant to be very easy on the stomach, so constipation will hopefully not be a problem.

Coppernob, do I remember correctly that you're now on some t3? In my experience, even after being on enough levo to put all my levels in the 'ideal' category (t3 and t4 right at the top of the range, tsh under 1), I still had terrible constipation, and t3 was the only thing which put that right, so I will cross my fingers for you.

[Coppernob in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Interesting! I'm now experiencing the opposite of constipation! Which, as far as I'm concerned is A Good Thing. And probably just means I can cut back on the daily sauerkraut and prune juice (not together, you understand!)

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Coppernob]

Well perhaps that's the t3 kicking in then, and if you're bloated it might be that you're dropping some of that water weight (or at least that's what happened to me). Once you get used to it and cut back on all your delicious-sounding fibre-rich stuff, you may find that it all balances out.

[Deedee46 in reply to Coppernob]

Everything in moderation. lol

I find too much Vitamin C has that effect.

Have to have timed release.

[Nursecassandra in reply to puncturedbicycle]

I strongly recommend trying some magnesium citrate. It usually comes in 150mg caps. You can safely increase the dose daily until the constipation is resolved. Most of it is not absorbed, which is what causes the stool softening.... your body getting rid of the excess. But what is absorbed is beneficial anyway since most of us are deficient in magnesium anyway!

I suffered from constipation for over ten years. I used senna for a few after but switched to this because I didn't want to get a lazy bowel

[edysia2]

Hi, I am taking Solgar gentle iron and I am very happy with it. I could not tolerate any other brands. Within 2 months on 20-40 mg my ferritin went up from 27 to 40. I need to test again. In term of dosage, I think that iron bicyglycinate is much more absorb-able than fumerate, so you would probably need a lower dose. Exx

[puncturedbicycle in reply to edysia2]

Gosh edysia2, that's just what I was after. Many thanks for your reply.

I too have a sensitive stomach which has been upset by iron in the past, so I'm really pleased that you say this one was well tolerated. I took a capsule earlier today after a meal and I've had no nausea, so I'm pleased.

Were you taking one or two capsules? Mine are 25mg. I feel so very terrible and I'm hoping to make a good go at getting my levels up before I give up on my meds altogether.

Thanks again. xx

[edysia2 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

You are welcome I am glad that I could help. I have started from 1 tablet - 20 mg( solgar does the same iron in 25 mg too) then I started to take 2 x 20 mg. I don't think you will have any problems with it. I am sensitive and I have problem with everything almost but this DIDNT give me any problems at all. I am using solgar all the time, I don't like other brands. I am trying not to give up too. I am having really bad time with thyroid medications, I am not getting better at all and now Erfa thyroid which I was on for over a year changed somehow and I started to have terrible side effects. I am devastated. Oh I need not to give up! It is so hard. I wish you get your ferritin up soon. Love to you. E xx

[puncturedbicycle in reply to edysia2]

I like the Solgar too. You don't have to check the bottle up down and sideways to find what junk they've put in it - they don't use sweeteners, gluten, etc. Excellent! I will see what two capsules feels like tomorrow, maybe one at lunch and one at dinner.

All the best to you E. It is a long road, but you've already come so far. Lots of love, xx

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hi puncturedbicycle & edysia2

Sorry to hear you're both not feeling too good right now so best wishes to you both and good luck starting on the solgar tablets P.

Do you know if the solgar are suitable for non-meat eaters or do they contain pork gelatin to make the outer cover? I would appreciate a quick check on the label if you would be so kind?

I'm feeling motivated today and have just ordered a vitD test to do at home .........

[Confused77 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, I take Solgar gentle iron as I too have a sensitive stomach. The label says it is suitable for vegans (I'm veggie too so I always check). When my Endo told me to take iron she also said I should take Vit C as well as it helps your body absorb the iron.

[Hidden in reply to Confused77]

Thank you for the info Confused77. It's appreciated. I'm a pescetarian to be accurate (so riddled with guilt that I still eat fish but that's another story lol!). Do you have a problem with B12 because of your diet?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ps would you mind telling me what dose Vit C you take please?

[HarryE in reply to Hidden]

Not sure if you wanted general replies, but I take redoxon vitamin c with zinc. You just drop it in water and it dissolves. Someone called it fizzy rubbish somewhere, but I like it

[Hidden in reply to HarryE]

Definitely, Harry, and thank you. I will get myself some.

Hope you are feeling okay?

[HarryE in reply to Hidden]

Coming along nicely, thank you

[Hidden in reply to HarryE]

Excellent

[Confused77 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry for the delay in replying but I've been having problems getting onto the website. My GP tested my B12 level at my request in November 2012 and it was 219 ng/L (197-866). The GP said no action was needed as it was within the reference range but then my Endo said that because it was at the low end of normal I should have B12 injections. So the GP agreed to me having 6 injections over 2 weeks followed by 1 injection every 12 weeks. They made me feel so much better that I asked if I could have the injections more frequently than 1 every 12 weeks but the GP said there was no evidence that doing that would be beneficial. However, I know there are people on ThyroidUK who have B12 injections more regularly than that so I also take a B12 sublingual (dissolves in the mouth) pill once a day.

For Vit C I just take a 500mg pill once a day. The directions say 1 to 2 tablets daily every 6 hours (max 6 daily) but warns that over 1000mg can cause mild stomach upset and because I have a very sensitive stomach I only take 1 pill. However. I have no idea what the advised Vit C dose is for taking alongside iron - I hadn't really thought about it until you asked!

[Hidden in reply to Confused77]

Many thanks for the info. Its very helpful.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hypnoteq. They use cellulose for the shell. I know they do lots of vegetarian and vegan products, which is another reason I use them. Gelatin is just lazy.

Good luck with your vit d test!

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thank you p.

Know what you mean about choosing battles. My friend contracted polio at 5 mths and uses callipers and sticks to walk; and is confronted daily by obstacles both physical and attitudinal wherever she goes. And it's her mantra: chose your battles wisely.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Hidden]

Wow, good for her. It's important to know how to best use your limited energy.

To be honest, my doctor's surgery is so obstructive - the bureaucracy of making blood test appointments alone would make you weep - I don't really want them more involved than they have to be. Their priorities are not mine.

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

So true .....

Here's something to make you smile: when I collected a bloods envelope (their phrase) on Monday from the GP for the hospital because of the blood-taking debacle last week, it turned out to no longer be an envelope, but a plain sheet of paper. Yet written on it still, as an instruction for the phlebotomist, was "please put the bloods in here and use the sticky label on the back of this envelope to identify patient details". So where my bloods went and how they were labelled, who knows.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Hidden]

Jesus wept.

[Cripanemic in reply to edysia2]

Are you allergic to Iodine like me? I have Hypothyroidism, and I can't take the T4 drugs. When the thyroid doctor said I was normal on T4, my cholesterol was too high and so was my blood pressure. I gained 25 pounds of weight and couldn't sleep. My new Doc put me on full dosage T3, and I lost the 25lbs., my blood pressure went back to normal, and so did my cholesterol. I feel 100% better. Except, I was taking the Sundown perfect Iron, and they discontinued it. So thank you for writing about Solgar. I tried the slow release and other iron that screwed up my intestines. I'm going to try the Solgar and see if it bothers me. I am sensitive, too.

[Pinkythecat]

I like to take a spoonful of *organic* black strap molasses for my iron intake.

Works good for me. Especially helpful if you take it with a spoonful of coconut oil. Rather tasty even.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Pinkythecat]

Ooh, this sounds okay. I am so very heartily sick of taking handfuls of pills at intervals every day. Thanks for that.

Maybe I could mix it with my revolting rice protein powder that I tried for the first time today mixed with yogurt. It felt like eating chalk and tasted the way the health food shop smells. It needs something powerful to overwhelm it.

[molliemdz]

I have taken Solgar Gentle Iron off and on for a year and a half. I don't remember at the moment what my ferritin was 2 yrs ago when endo 1st suggested I might want to take some iron. I was at the low end of normal range (he didn't offer any advice as to dose, type of iron, or brand, but I like Solgar products generally and liked the idea that this form was not meant to cause constipation). I have taken 1-2 capsules/ day, depending on where I was in my cycle, or how weak I felt on a given day. Sorry -- this isn't a very scientific reply, more just a general comment to say I haven't had any problems on it, and I believe my ferritin to be at an ok level now (as am pregnant again & having frequent bloodwork, apparently all good).

[starandnala]

Hi, I thought I would add a comment about Solgar gentle iron. I have been taking it for just over a week at one a day and am already feeling better that I was. My iron is apparently very low - under 5 with red blood cells just slightly lower than norm at 11.3. I had tiredness and dizzy spells before any iron tabs.

I was initially prescribed ferrous fumarate 322mg X 2, ( each tab is equivalent to 106 iron it states) I could not even function on 1 let alone 2. Fuzzy head, vomiting ( due to constipation), headaches etc. Had to stop and find something else. Saw good feedback on line about Solgar gentle iron and thought that building up slowly had to be better than nothing. I am not 100% if there is any slowing down of bowel movements effects so I have one day off it occasionally, just so toileting is not disrupted but its ok so far. However it is possible there is no effect so I am just being cautious. The 3rd day I felt no inclination to go to the toilet and did not feel hungry all day, but that might have been just getting used to it.

Perhaps you can take 2 once used to it, but I feel OK on one at the moment. Happy with it. I expect one tablet is equivalent to a quarter of a 322 ferrous fumarate, but some say as it absorbs better it may be equivalent to 50mg so a half a tab? Just have to monitor it and get a blood test again after a few months, that's what I will do.

I take it with an iron rich meal (just after it) and with a vit c tablet too to help absorption. I also avoid tea or milk deserts now for an hour to 2 hours before and after a meal as that can affect absorption. There is different opinions on this, re the timescales, some say leave it 1 hr before a cup of tea some say 2 hours?. If your desert doesn't contain milk ( calcium) then that's fine, say a jelly with fruit in (yum !)

[druidess]

Hi lm taking Solgar Gentle Iron 25mg how many can you take a day, lm anemic and when l take a iron tablet it seems to last about 3 hours then l need to take another one or symptoms are back, ringing in ears, restlessness, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, headache, dose this seem right or should the tablets last longer. Gaye

[Canyonk8 in reply to druidess]

Same with me. Any updates on your end?

[Hisoka]

Joining in on this a bit late! Been taking Ferrous Fumarate (via GP) orally for years believing it was better absorbed Ferrous Sulphate. I knew constipation could be an issue with any iron, but wasn't troubled by that, but have been a martyr to heartburn, diagnosed as GERD and given a PPI to help. Some evenings I would sit and much my way through 12-24 antacid tablets which didn't help, and some evenings I was actually sick.

For some reason it suddenly clicked that the iron might be the problem, so I stopped it and hey ho, no more heartburn - just like that! I finally (better late than never) got round to reading the patient info leaflet and was horrified to see that among other things, it shouldn't be given to anyone who

• Has had a stomach or duodenal ulcer in the past, or have one which is now under control with treatment

• You have had major surgery to your stomach

• You have problems associated with narrowing of your intestine (stricture) or out pocketing of the inner layer of your intestine (diverticular disease).

All these applied to me! In 2007 I was found to have a duodenal ulcer, when a gastric bypass operation was about to be performed! I had to let the ulcer heal, but having had it, I now had to have a different bariatric procedure called "a sleeve" performed where they take away 75% of you stomach! Finally a couple of years ago I developed an esophageal stricture which meant I couldn't eat so lost more weight.

So with that history (but still needing to take iron as I can't eat large amounts of food) I eventually ordered the Solgar Gentle Iron and am taking it exactly as advised. I think today is my third day and I have had an alarming development! No constipation or heartburn but in fact morning diarrhoea which is a very odd colour - very orangey red. Although several people go on about how Solgar don't put rubbish in their products, they do have "colour" on the list of ingredients. I don't know why they need to put colour in nor can I find out which colour they use, which is how I found this forum.

Finally, I was taking 210mg Ferrous Fumarate (but at the wrong time) and read somewhere that even then you would only absorb about 8% i.e. 16.8mg at best, so I'm hoping that taking 25mg the proper way will actually boost my iron levels.

Apologies for the length of my saga and thanks for reading it!

[Ruby4000 in reply to Hisoka]

Hi Hisoka, how did you get on with the solgar gentle iron afterwards? were you able to tolerate it and if so, did it help you do you thinK? i am also struggling because i need iron (im so exhausted) but i havent been taking any because of my stomach problems and especially bad acid reflux i cannot tolerate it. Im going to try the solgar one soon. at the moment i am taking some spatone sachets but i dont think they really make any difference to me :/

[Drewa]

Hi Ruby - no, I was unable to keep taking the Solgar Gentle Iron and was amazed that Amazon allowed me to return it and get a full refund, which was a relief as it cost quite a lot. I have switched now to Veganicity Chelated Iron 24mg as I know chelated products are easier to absorb. I take the recommended one a day and have experienced no problems. Someone wrote a review on Amazon saying they take four a day, but no idea why. As it is better absorbed I think 24g daily is sufficient for me. Give it a whirl and see what you think. Mind you, after saying that I have not noticed any particular change in my energy level but it's early days yet. Good luck!