Can this be bought over the counter in a chemist or does it need to be prescribed?
Ferrous fumarate 210mg: Can this be bought over... - Thyroid UK
Ferrous fumarate 210mg
Yes, you can buy it OTC in pharmacies, also Amazon and Ebay.
I’ve seen a few on eBay very cheap. Should it be so cheap? Any particular brand or are they all the same?
MissSusan
I've never used it so can't recommend a brand but it is cheap.
Why do you want to supplement with it? Have you had an iron panel/full blood count done?
I couldn't get on with any iron tablets, even the non-constipating Gentle Iron, so to raise my ferritin I ate liver. Now I occasionally take an iron tablet, about once a week, but use a whole food supplement (vegetable and fruit blend).
I really can't stand the taste of liver. I bought desiccated liver tablets but they're very expensive. I started taking them in June 2018 but I don't think they're raising my ferritin enough.
Serum ferritin level 36.7 ug/L [20.0 - 130.0] 17/04/18
Serum ferritin level 43.5 ug/L [20.0 - 130.0] 27/03/19
This is my recent full blood count.
Haemoglobin concentration 134 g/L [117.0 - 149.0]
Total white blood count 7.4 10*9/L [4.3 - 11.2]
Platelet count - observation 277 10*9/L [155.0 - 421.0]
Red blood cell count 4.50 10*12/L [3.85 - 5.15]
Mean cell volume 88.0 fL [81.0 - 97.0]
Haematocrit 0.398 [0.347 - 0.445]
Mean cell haemoglobin level 29.8 pg [26.9 - 33.0]
Mean cell haemoglobin concentration 337 g/L [320.0 - 359.0]
Neutrophil count 4.78 10*9/L [2.1 - 7.4]
Lymphocyte count 1.73 10*9/L [1.0 - 3.6]
Monocyte count - observation 0.57 10*9/L [0.3 - 1.0]
Eosinophil count - observation 0.23 10*9/L [0.02 - 0.5]
Basophil count 0.05 10*9/L [0.02 - 0.1]
I really can't stand the taste of liver
Have you tried disguising it - chop small/mince and put in curries, bolognese, cottage pie, chilli, any meat dish.
Also the following helps:
Liver pate
Black pudding
Other iron rich foods - apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...
Your results don't suggest iron deficiency anaemia so it's just your ferritin that's low.
SeasideSusie I'm such a fussy b*gger - the only thing I do really like is pate.
It's the yeasty, metallic taste I can't seem to hide it. Although I've heard that chicken liver has a milder taste, so I could give that a go.
I am shattered all the time and my hair is dire so I really need to get my ferritin levels up.
I've bought it from Lloyds Pharmacies or Tesco Pharmacies (without prescription). Although the brand doesn't matter, this is the brand I usually get supplied with :
waltonpharmacy.co.uk/images...
I've also bought this one a few times, but it was a few years ago :
It's OTC, but why do you want to take an industrial biproduct when better forms are available?
Such as?
You can buy it at the pharmacy counter in many pharmacies (inc Tesco) and in online UK pharmacies - but not Boots and some others. Tell the pharmacist that your doctor knows you are taking it but buying it directly is cheaper than a prescription
Feeling a bit stupid so apologies for the question in advance.
I've read not to eat more than 200g of liver a week due to the vitamin A content. Would the same weight apply to bought pate - or could I have more considering pate has other ingredients added to it? Thinking I should just make my own!
I can't answer that one, but do find I need a lower dose of supplements when I'm eating cavolo nero, &/or my favourite watercress, spinach & rocket salad. These also have a good dose of vitamin C to improve absorption, but might not be as good for people who find these veg goitrogenic or have a problem with phytates. I eat lots of lentils & beans (not unfermented soy) for iron, too. Sourdough bread, as opposed to other forms of cooked grains, enhances mineral absorption.