How to take iron suppliments

[phobicgirl]

So ok I got some iron tablets from the doctor, he said take one 3 times a day! How far apart from morning levo? Doc not interested and I’m to sick to do anymore research.

Thanks for good advice so far although not sure doc thanks you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

phobicgirl

Take Iron tablets 4 hours away from thyroid meds, and 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements. It will affect their absorption.

Take each iron tablet with 1000mg of Vit C to aid it's absorption and help prevent constipation.

[phobicgirl in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I did ask doc about taking with vitamin c and he said not necessary but I will take advice from here, doc discharged me to another doctor as he said he no longer wishes to see me. Getting well is hard work !!

Thanks again SeasideSusie

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to phobicgirl]

The patient information leaflet for ferrous sulphate actually says

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

Ferrous Sulfate tablets with food and drink

Ferrous Sulfate tablets should not be taken within one hour

before or two hours after eating or drinking the following

products: tea, coffee, milk, eggs and whole grains. These

products can reduce the absorption of iron. Meat and

products containing vitamin C can increase the absorption

of iron. Follow the advice of your dietician or doctor when

taking Ferrous Sulfate tablets with any of the food or drink

listed.

and even NHS Southamptom Hospital website says

How do I take them?

You should take your iron supplements on an empty stomach (preferably one hour before a meal) with a drink containing vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice or another juice drink with added vitamin C.

New evidence has shown that taking iron supplements every other day can increase their effectiveness.

The precise instructions for when to take your supplements will be discussed with you by the healthcare professional who prescribes them.

One wonders how this sort of information bypasses a lot of doctors. No wonder we have to help ourselves a lot of the time

[phobicgirl in reply to SeasideSusie]

Well I am new to all this as you know and it’s something I have found out only recently that I need to have my own back on this illness, thank goodness for this site 🤷‍♀️

[MaisieGray in reply to SeasideSusie]

Back ground detail about why dosing alternate days might be favourable:

"Taking iron supplements daily as divided doses increases serum hepcidin levels and reduces iron absorption, while taking them on alternate days and in single doses optimizes iron absorption and might be a preferable dosing regimen, a study found" acpinternist.org/weekly/arc...

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to SeasideSusie]

My gastro said to take ferrous fumarate with a meal (and PIL said it was OK to do so) to avoid stomach upset

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

From what I understand, it's better absorbed on an empty stomach, but if it causes any gastric upset then it's advised to take it with food.

[JumpJiving in reply to SeasideSusie]

I find it odd that iron tablets can cause anything from constipation to diarrhoea. This may be too much detail for some, but I found that ferrous sulphate resulted in something akin to iron filings coming our my rear end, whereas ferrous fumarate makes my rear work even better than it normally does. Guess it's down to individual sensitivities and interactions with other things going on in system. For anybody who has issues with ferrous sulphate (which is what the GP or chemist will normally issue), I would suggest trying ferrous fumarate instead.

[phobicgirl in reply to JumpJiving]

I have the ferrous fumarate so let’s hope these help with my chronic fatigue, I’m up for to much information 🤣 thanks

[JumpJiving in reply to phobicgirl]

It's hard to describe different forms of fatigue, so I'm not sure that I can really put into words accurately how I know, from how I feel, that my iron level is low. I'll give it a try - for me, the feeling is that when doing cardiovascular exercise - typically dancing or dog walking, it doesn't matter at what rate I am breathing, the oxygen doesn't get to my muscles. Whether that's scientifically what happens I don't know, but that's how I interpret the feeling. I think this may be what some people refer to as air fatigue. The feeling is there even without exercise, it's just a constant lack of energy in the muscles. One extra piece of info that applies to me - I have high cortisol levels, which may (I don't know) exacerbate this feeling.

In the too much detail category, I can also tell what is happening to my iron levels by the colour of my poo. As my iron level drops, the poo gets lighter in colour.

For me, it's a case of taking one ferrous fumarate capsule per day for 3-4 days, and then I'm back to my normal (which isn't completely normal, but what I'm used to).

I have been keeping a symptoms diary for the last week and intend to do so for at least 3 months, so I should be able to identify how often this iron drop happens. My guess without recorded information is that it's about once every 4-6 weeks. And, just to confirm, (a) I am male so not menstruating, and (b) previous blood tests have confirmed the iron level changing, so not my imagination.

[phobicgirl in reply to JumpJiving]

Generally id be up for the gym but last few months have fatigue so bad it hurts me all over, like something drained me. I have noticed I get extremely breathless and gasp for air ... I'll watch out for the poo colour once I start on the iron tablets !! Having some blood tests on Wednesday so will wait till after then to start.

[Hidden in reply to phobicgirl]

Hiya hun see my posts are you in a charged environment had a recent x Ray or infection?

Detox your blood supply best u can filtered and cl3ar fliuds is a must .food good salts fats bonebroth yoghurt fruit .

As much veg and salad cummon 2 weeks u be laughing .

Can send cheque in post lol .

Don't wait for Wednesday start now .

❤🙏☢ Tam x

[phobicgirl in reply to Hidden]

🤣 well that post cheered me along and is it usual 200 quid fee I been shelling out for all these private specialists, ping it to you later! Will read your post, jees have had more x rays can shake of and pet scan so cancer survivor, poor nutrition due to that but getting back on track, will have to wait till Thursday for iron supplement as him indoors picking up for me, yep housebound at mo as ... long flipping story.

What’s your story morning glory?

Thanks for the laugh hun

🧚‍♂️ X

[Hidden]

Have you tryed floradix solution it's been a life changer for me the red box with added vitamins 26 for a liter from Holland and Barrett. And invest in a water filter for all liquids.

Could go on and on hun same as you but addressing our health is important .

Do you have a copy of your blood tests ?

Easier to treat on here if ppl can see what your dealing with .

Do you work? If so where .

In what environment I mean ect .

What's your diet like ? We need to know things like that hun .

❤🙏 Tam x

[phobicgirl in reply to Hidden]

I am new here so is this in reply to my post or post above Interested in the floradix you take. I'm on rant day today so head is all over place !!

[Hidden in reply to phobicgirl]

It's awful isn't it .

Be careful how u rant on here as I keep getting told off 😔.

I'm just a little blunt and find it hard to get my point across at times .

Did u look up the floradix solution .

You have come to the right place .

Always someone to chat to and everybody's so understanding and lovley about things .

Nice to meet u .

❤ Tam x

[phobicgirl in reply to Hidden]

Haha well I only rant I’m my head and somehow it never quite hits the page the way my head is reacting 😇 I like blunt and know where your coming from.

Nice to meet you Tam and yes a lovely bunch of peeps here with good advice.

Just taking a read on floradix 🌸 x

[phobicgirl in reply to Hidden]

Boots have buy 2 get one free on floradix so think I will order some as can’t do me any harm and liquid is better I think. How much do you take and what about with other meds and levothyroxine ?

🧚‍♂️ X

[Hidden in reply to phobicgirl]

If your unsure you can ask at the pharmacy and explain other medication u take . I don't think so and it's delicious I call it my jagerbomb . I give it the kids when they call with there brew lol.

Best thing I will recommend is a £5 water filter and keep it in the fridge. Good for pets too . Glass morn and b4 bed .

❤ Tam x

Loving the fairy x

[phobicgirl in reply to Hidden]

Reading your story now 😁🧚‍♂️ X

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Hidden]

I found Floradix did nothing for me. Not nearly strong enough and much more expensive than ferrous fumarate. It probably works if you are just a little low on iron, but not on finances.

[phobicgirl in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Well guess the floradix for me personally is financially more as the doctor gave me ferrous fumarate, just wondering how I get 3 tabs in me with the break time for other meds!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to phobicgirl]

It's a challenge.

[Angel_of_the_North]

With a meal and with vitamin C and 4 hours away from levo

[phobicgirl in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

🧚‍♂️ Thanks