Recommendations for Iron Supplement appreciated

[Koola]

I have feritin & iron deficiency due to hypothyroidism. I need to get a pure iron supplement. Many of them are multi, with folic acid, B12, and some capsules seem to be coated with magnesium serate (like Solgar) or such. I’ve learnt on this site that iron has to be taken 2 hours away from all supplements except vit. C. I also wonder about dosage since I’m over 60 and 8mg daily are recommended for “healthy condition”. Since I’m under, are capsules of 18 mg advisable?

Many brands others have recommended are out of bounds. (It’s often hard to get things shipped where I live and / or takes forever.) If I get a simple iron liquid with no additives, will it do?

Grateful for all sharing of experience and knowledge!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Koola

If you have iron deficiency then your doctor should be treating this as regular tests are needed to monitor your levels.

Did you get a full blood count to see if you have anaemia?

[Koola in reply to SeasideSusie]

yes I did. And I don't -- have anemia.

I also don't have a doctor, yet. Will try a new one who is coming soon.

[Serendipitious in reply to SeasideSusie]

SeasideSusie,

How can you tell if you have anaemia from a full blood count?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Serendipitious]

Serendipitous

You look at haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, also MCV, MCH.

Labtestsonline has an article about anaemia.

labtestsonline.org.uk/condi...

[posthinking01]

Hi there - 18mg is a high dose - and you shouldn't be taking iron unless you really need it - iron can cause many issues in the body if you overload levels - particularly in the liver.

Here is a list of issues to be aware of:-

Symptoms, signs and diseases resulting from too much iron (iron overload):

chronic fatigue

joint pain

abdominal pain

liver disease (cirrhosis, liver cancer)

diabetes mellitus

irregular heart rhythm

heart attack or heart failure

skin colour changes (bronze, ashen-gray green)

loss of period

loss of interest in sex

Hope this helps in some way. If you are fatigued there are so many other reasons for tiredness - it isn't necessarily always iron as we were led to believe years ago.

[Koola in reply to posthinking01]

Thanks for yr. answer, postthinking01 but my tests show low iron and low feritin. so, I suppose I need to supplement (?)

[posthinking01 in reply to Koola]

Well yes - did the GP advise - although the rubbish the NHS supply its worth buying your own products. Did you know that Vitamin C draws in more iron from your food.

Men have to be particularly careful with iron as they cannot absorb it like women.