iron deficient

Hi guys Hope you are all doing well today. I went to my doctor last week and he took some blood. All my labs were great with the exception of my iron levels which were really, really low. He told me to take Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg once a day, and I was warned that it would be constipating and to drink lots of water. Anyone else experience this and if so, have you corrected it with the supplements? My cholesterol was great as is my blood sugar now, so that is the good news! Maybe this explains my diziness and tiredness at the gym?? Love, Sue

It probably explains alot! At least you can fix it! The side affects won't be fun. Drink, drink, drink tha****er.

Yup Carol, I appreciate that this is something I can fix. Hopefully I wont get too stopped up I've been needing to crank up my water anyway... Love, Sue

I was iron deficient before surgery - so that didn't surprise if I was gonna be the same or worse. I take this iron pill called SLOW FE. It doesn't cause constipation or anything..been taking it for quite a while. My whole vitamin regime is 2 Children's chewable, Viactiv chew, B150, Slow Fe (and I also take 2 small chromonium piccolinate).

Ruth, Have you had your labs done and has your iron been ok? I'm hearing some stuff on the California board that says that we can't absorb Ferrous Sulfate and need different forms of iron. Also, I have heard that we shouldn't take viactiv for the same reasons and should take calcium citrate, which I do. Let me know what your experience with this has been if you get a chance. Love, Sue

Sue, I just recently started iron also. I also heard that ferrous sufate is not absorbed by us. My labs were in normal range and my surgeon's office didn't think I needed to take iron, but my PCP said anyone with a ferritin level below 50 should take iron. My ferritin level is 37. What is you ferritin level? I just started taking Gentle Iron by Solgar. Also I have heard that we also absorb carbonyl iron, so look for this on the label. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/24/04 -101 lbs 150cm bypassed

Hi Lynn, I just went and picked up a copy of my labs yesterday afternoon. My ferritin level was marked "less than 5" and it said that the test was repeated to verify that result!!! So I guess I am a bit defficient, eh? It explains so much actually! I'll have to look into the carbonyl iron, I don't know what that is. I found out about something called Proferrin, which is a different form of iron, supposedly more easily absorbed by people who've been bypassed. I will probably post more on it as I learn more. Thanks for your response, I really appreciate all the input I've received from everyone here and on the california board as well. Congrats on making the century club by the way!!! You are doing awesome! love, Sue

Sue, Carbonyl iron can be purchased under the name Feosol at a store or pharmacy. But you have to be careful as Feosol also comes in ferrous sulfate. Just make sure that the Feosol has carbonyl iron on the front. As someone else recommended, I also take my iron with Vitamin C and I take no food or anything for 2 hours before or after the iron. Your ferritin is extremely low. I hope you feel better soon. I have heard that some people have to go to a hematologist for iron infusions. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -103 lbs 150cm bypassed

Be careful, Sue!!! Iron can be VERY constipating!! Something to look into might be chelated iron. I know one support group person who said it was the only kind of iron that helped her anemia due to the absorption issue... Also, it's best if you can take your iron with something with Vitamin C. That helps it absorb, too. Do NOT take your iron with milk or your calcium supplement. The iron and calcium bind together and you won't absorb either one. I work in a doctor's office where a lot of iron is prescribed (pregnant ladies) and we pretty much advise them to take a stool softner (ducosate sodium 100 mg---make sure that's it, NO stimulant!****il you know how it's going to effect you. Granted, the pregnant ladies are taking it 3 times a day!! You can get the generic version at Wal-mart for about $2 a bottle. Congrats on your other labs!!! Get that iron level up and you'll be amazed how much better you will feel!!! Beth -107

Thanks Beth for the advice. I'm going to have to look at Chelated iron and find out more about that. Also thanks for the reminder about the milk and calcium sups. I can't believe how much the iron level was affecting me, as you said! Every symptom in the book, I had! Right down to a sore tongue! I'll post on this again to let everyone know what did and didn't work for me. THanks again Beth and congrats on the 107 down!!!!!!!! WoooooHooooooooooooo love, Sue