Supplements

[Annieza]

Hi

I am currently taking Vit D(with K2), Selenium and Omega's as that is what I am deficient in.

My Iron is also low but this is inconsistent as sometimes it can be within range, I'm waiting for an appointment for Iron tests.

Does anyone know of any good Iron supplement that is easy on the digestive system as I'm already always constipated. I feel the Iron might help with my hair loss and lack of re-growth

I was also considering taking 'Hair burst' supplements. Has anyone tried these?

Many thanks!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Annieza

For your iron supplement, I would suggest that you wait until you have the results of your iron test. If you are iron deficient (serum iron and transferrin saturation would show this) then iron tablets would be suitable. If you're just low in ferritin with a good level of serum iron and transferrin saturation then iron tablets would increase the serum iron and saturation possibly to a point where they go too high so if it's just low ferritin then raising this by diet is best.

If you need iron supplements then let your GP prescribe, if you have problems with constipation he has the choice of more than one type of iron supplement so could prescribe accordingly. Remember that any iron supplement should be taken with Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. Iron should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds and 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.

Iron tests should be done after a 12 hour fast (water allowed) so an early morning test is best so that you don't have to go without food during the day.

When on iron supplements, they should be left off for a week before retesting iron.

As for the Hair Burst vitamins, it's a multivitamin which generally aren't recommended here. Too many active ingredients that may interact or affect each other. Vit A is 100% of daily recommended intake so as it's a fat soluble vitamin and any excess is stored you'd have to be careful not to overdo Vit A. It contains calcium which we shouldn't take unless tested and found to be deficient. It contains B vitamins which you might be better getting in a good quality, bioavailable B Complex, especially considering they include cyanocobalamin form of B12 whereas the recommended form is methylcobalamin, they also include folic acid whereas the recommended form is methylfolate. The amont of biotin is 250mcg and there are B Complexes with a higher amount of biotin. Also the form of selenium is selenite which isn't recommended as it's one of the least absorbable forms, the recommended forms for best absorption are selenium l-selenomethionine and yeast bound selenium.

Remember that any supplement containing biotin should be left off for 3-7 days before any blood test as it gives false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure (which most labs do).

[Annieza in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you

I use Selenium from Cytoplan which is mineral enhanced yeast providing microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, silicon dioxide and sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

Does this sound about right?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Annieza]

Yes, that is the selenium supplement that I used when I took it. However, the selenium included in your Hair Burst supplement is selenite and that form is not recommended.

[Annieza in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you! I returned my hair bursts, I'm going to focus on what I'm low in which at the moment is Vitamin D. I will be testing Iron too soon.