Should iron be taken with food or away from food? - Thyroid UK

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Should iron be taken with food or away from food?

Ocean2 profile image
7 Replies

I know thyroid hormone is best taken 4 hours away from iron, calcium, Vit D, Magnesium. And iron should be taken away 2 hours away from all supplements.

BUT my question is should iron be taken away from food or best with food?

I usually take Vit C with iron to increase absorption.

ALSO, I read some people say take it away from eggs, is that true?

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Ocean2
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Goodness! I've never seen that. Do they say why?

I, personally, would take iron away from food. I don't think that's because that's because food would block the absorption of iron, but that iron would block the absorption of other nutrients in the food. But, I have a feeling it depends on the type of iron. The one I take at the moment says on the PIL, to take either with or without food, according to doctor's instructions (like they would know!). So, I don't really know about that. But, you certainly do need a source of vit C at the same time to aid absorption and protect the stomach. Even when eating iron-rich foods, like liver, you should eat a source of vit C at the same time. Like potatoes, or some vit C-rich veggie.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply togreygoose

It is documented!

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tohelvella

Oh, OK, so basically, they are saying take it away from food, which is what I thought. So, I don't know why it says what it says in the PIL...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply togreygoose

I have always understood there to be a conflict. With food helps (supposedly) to reduce stomach upset which is all too common with iron supplements. Whereas best absorption likely achieved by taking away from food - but with ascorbic acid.

As usual, the words don't convey the reasons.

helvella profile image
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Ocean2 profile image
Ocean2 in reply tohelvella

Ah thanks!☺️ I edited now to include my comment!

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon

Problem I notice with all these different meds etc... take it here; don’t take there; take with this that or the other; take them standing up; only take bent over; only use this water or that; don’t take them if it’s too cold etc... etc... you see what I’m getting at.

It’s a minefield, almost like a full-time job trying to remember what to take and when. It’s okay if one is sat at a desk all day, or at home all the time, but if like me, who works outdoors in all weathers and conditions as a tv cameraman it’s nigh on impossible to integrate a regime with certain times to take meds so they all go in at the same time usually in the mornings; doc says that’s okay too.

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