Ferrous Fumarate

[nightingale-56]

I have a feeling these should be kept well away from Calcium in foods. Could someone please let me know if I am correct. I know it has to be taken with Vitamin C and, I think, 4 hours after Levothyroxine. I would be grateful for advice on this.

[humanbean]

According to the patient information leaflet for ferrous fumarate

medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.27...

patients should tell their doctor or pharmacist if they are also taking medicines containing zinc, calcium or magnesium salts.

I suspect, but don't know for sure, that these substances will bind with the iron making it less likely, or impossible, to absorb the bound substances.

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

Yes, I'm pretty sure that's right, HB. Iron should be taken on its own, or just with vit C, about two hours away from any food.

[nightingale-56 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose . It is a long time since I have had to take iron as my levels have always been good.

[nightingale-56 in reply to humanbean]

Just what I needed humanbean , a PIL, which I didn't get with the tiny brown bottle of ferrous fumarate. Thank you for this. I also was not sure what the best form of iron was. GP did offer ferrous sulphate, but I though ferrous fumarate was the better one. I think I will probably get Solgar Gentle Iron anyway.

[bluebug in reply to nightingale-56]

They all work.

Ferrous fumerate, ferrous bisglycinate (Solgar gentle iron) and ferrous gluconate are all suppose to be more bioavailable than ferrous sulphate.

The only thing with Solgar gentle iron is that is more expensive and you have to take more tablets e.g. 4 to get the same amount of iron as in one ferrous fumerate.

[red_head40]

I take ferrous fumurate and they are really good at getting your iron levels up fast. I couldn't tolerate ferrous sulphate at all. They are the cheapest version so your GP will give you these first.