Could someone help me straighten out my vitamins....

Please?! I am so confused about when to take all of the different vitamins! Here's what I take; Synthroid, must be taken on an empty stomach Iron (ferrous sulphate). I am going to switch to a gentler iron when I run out of these. Citrical Petites, 3 a day Chewable multivitamins, two a day St. John's Wort 3x a day Black Cohosh 3x a day Magnesium, with the calcium? Vitamin C, with the iron? I also drink hot tea, about two cups a day. I read that the tannin in tea blocks the absorbtion of iron, and iron blocks the absorbtion of calcium, or vice versa?? You are not supposed to take iron within 4 hours of consuming caffiene, dairy, coffee, tea, eggs, or whole grains. Certain compounds in these foods affect the absorbtion of many nutrients, like iron. Is this right?/ When in the world should I eat? Oh, I also supplement with two protien drinks a day, 22 grams of protien each. My pre albumin was pretty low recently, I was also low in iron. I am afraid of developing more deficiencies. I am 13 months out. Any help would be appreciated!!!! Mary in NC

Okay, I'll throw out what I know: Calcium overrides Iron, so take them at least 2 hours apart. Calcium is best absorbed 500 mg at a time so you need to space your calciums out and take them 2 or 3 times throughout the day. Calcium is BEST absorbed with magnesium and Vit D, so take those together. Iron is BEST absorbed with Vit. C, so take those together. As far as the tannins - not sure if they directly block the aborsbtion or if they cause a leaching-type effect. My dad had problems because he was drinking iced tea all day long. He started having problems with his "internal thermostate" and was feeling hot all the time. Even if his house was 65 degrees, he was burning up. Turned out it was low iron due to all the iced tea... go figure. Anyway, I take many of the same things as you, so maybe you can use a modify version of my schedule: Morning: 2 Calciums with Vit D/Mag (it's a chewable all combined), 2 Benefibers, 1 Black Cohosh, 1 Cranberry Supplement, 1 Biotin, 1 Thiamin, B-12 Sub Lunch: 3 Multis and 1 Iron Before Bed: 2 Calciums, 2 Benefibers I do drink coffee pretty regularly throughout the day, so if caffiene blocks Iron, I'm probably at risk there, but my labs (a couple of months ago) were fine and I've been on this schedule pretty much from get-go. Hope that helps!

But doesn't your multi have calcium in it? That kinda goes with my question from yesterday, too. I do A.M.: 1 Centrum Chewable, 2 Fibercon chewable, 2 citrical petites (chew them up) Afternoon: 1 iron w/Vit. C - sometime between bfast and lunch or lunch and dinner depending on what I have for lunch. If I'm having NO calcium stuff (cheese, dairy, etc.) for lunch then I may have the iron with lunch P.M. (usually with dinner) 2 more citrical petites That's it!

Mary, How much calcium are you trying to take? The Citracals Petites are only 200 mg for each tablet. Rich and I both try to take 1600 mg a day so we take 8 a day - 2 at a time. What about your B vitamins? Do you take B12 shots? What about a B complex (B50 or better yet B100)? I have to admit that while I'm good at taking my vitamins and separating those that shouldn't be taken at the same time... I've haven't paid mind to what food I'm eating with which. I should look at that. I know that synthroid shouldn't be taken with iron or calcium. Think it needs to be taken all by it's lonesome. Kathy

Hi, and thank you for your response! I do take B12 sublingual, I forgot to mention that, about every other day or so. Do you think I am making too much of a big deal with this? What I WAS doing seemed to be working, all I ever did was separate calcium and iron. Everything else was swallowed with whatever I was eating or drinking at the time. I am just worried about being deficient for a YEAR till I have blood work done again. I never noticed the Citrical Petites were only 200 mg a piece!! Thanks for pointing that out to me. I knew it was too good to be true!

Thanks for the heads up Kathy, Ive been taking my synthroid every morning with two citracal calciums(pills). I didnt know you couldnt take it together, wonder why? Candy

From the synthroid website: Take your Synthroid as recommended by your doctor. The Synthroid package insert and most doctors advise patients to take their Synthroid on an empty stomach in the morning approximately 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Thyroid medication absorption is increased on an empty stomach. Certain medications can interfere with the absorption of Synthroid. Medications such as iron and calcium supplements and antacids can decrease the absorption of Synthroid, therefore, Synthroid should not be taken within 4 hours of these medications. Talk to your healthcare provider. Take your Synthroid at the same time every day.

I just take all of my crap together at the same time and hope for the best. so far, the labs have been great. I know that is an ill-advised approach, but for me it's either take everything in the AM while I am thinking about it or I WILL forget and not take them at all.

From the synthroid website: Take your Synthroid as recommended by your doctor. The Synthroid package insert and most doctors advise patients to take their Synthroid on an empty stomach in the morning approximately 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. Thyroid medication absorption is increased on an empty stomach. Certain medications can interfere with the absorption of Synthroid. Medications such as iron and calcium supplements and antacids can decrease the absorption of Synthroid, therefore, Synthroid should not be taken within 4 hours of these medications. Talk to your healthcare provider. Take your Synthroid at the same time every day.