Is Vitamin C ok to take with my other meds?

[Spangle15]

Hi

I would like to start on collagen for my bones and my ageing skin. But most seem to contain Vitamin C. I have it in my head that I shouldn't take vitamin C for some reason but I don't know why. I currently take:

ERFA

Levo

Lenzetto and micronised progesterone (HRT)

Calcium

Iron

B Vits

Fish Oil

Vitamin D/K2

Can anyone see if there is anything contraindicating the use of Vitamin C?

Thank you so much.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Spangle15

Vit C shouldn't be taken at the same time as B12, this is because it can stop the body using the B12 so they should be taken 2 hours apart.

Vit C and iron should be taken together as Vit C aids the absorption of iron.

There are a few instances of possible interactions mentioned in this article, scroll down to the last heading:

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[humanbean]

I think it is okay to take Vitamin C with some meds, but I can't say this is true for all meds - I just don't have that information.

When taking iron, vitamin C is alleged to help absorption of the iron, but the evidence is not really there.

Title : The Efficacy and Safety of Vitamin C for Iron Supplementation in Adult Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia

Link : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

However, (my opinion) iron supplements cause constipation and vitamin C in high enough doses causes diarrhoea, so taking them together might not improve iron absorption, but the vitamin C will probably help with the constipation.

When taking thyroid hormones I have read that Vitamin C might help improve conversion of T4 to T3.

See this research paper :

Title : Effect of vitamin C on the absorption of levothyroxine in patients with hypothyroidism and gastritis

Link : academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

I must admit, as someone who has been diagnosed with gastritis, I find Vitamin C quite difficult to take because it irritates my stomach. But for people who tolerate it it is probably beneficial when taking both iron and thyroid hormones, but for different reasons.

However iron prevents absorption of thyroid hormones so take them four hours apart.

[Spangle15 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you so much Humanbean.

[Joyya in reply to humanbean]

Many common forms of iron supplements result in constipation (ferrous fumerate, ferrous sulphate..) but the heme polypeptides (derived from bovine sources) do not. Brand names include Proferrin, but others are available at better prices on Amazon. They also are not affected by food and do not need vitamin C because they are heme iron, not not heme iron.

[humanbean in reply to Joyya]

The only heme iron I can find in the UK is Optifer, which contains folic acid and this is not something I would willingly take.

I've never found heme iron to be easily obtained here, the only option in the past is importing it from the USA which would add to the time taken to get it, and would probably involve having to pay VAT once it arrives.

[Spangle15 in reply to humanbean]

I have taken iron supplements in the past and providing I take very gentle ones they seem to be fine so hopefully I can find something over here. Thank you for your help though.

[humanbean in reply to Spangle15]

I don't know where you live, but if it is in the UK this reply to another member describes which iron supplements are available without prescription here :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Spangle15 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you.