Question about Iron

I have searched the forum for answers, but there is just so much information, 

The dietitian from Humber just left me a message that my serum iron is low.  She wants me to take 300mg of ferrous sulfate with 500mg of vitamin C daily at bedtime.  I have been taking a prenatal with iron since surgery, was taking two a day up until a month ago when she told me I should only take one.  That iron was obviously doing nothing for me, as now my iron is low.  I don't know the lab value yet but will get copies when I go to my FP next time.  Only four months out from surgery and low iron already worries me. 

My question is, I don't really want to take the ferrous sulfate as I don't need anything constipating me, or hard on my insides.  I think I took that iron years ago before I had a hysterectomy, and I could barely tolerate it then, made me feel so sick.

I would like to take something that I could pick up at Shoppers, or maybe order online, if anyone has any suggestions.  I know that only a small percentage of the ferrous sulfate is elemental iron, so I assume I would just have to take the equivalent to what is in a 300mg sulfate pill.

Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated.

Judy

Hi Judy,

I can recommend two different iron pills to you: FeraMax (polysaccharide iron) or Proferrin (heme iron). I have taken both and neither have bothered my gut at all, unlike the gawd-awful Palafer and the like - BLEAH. Both of these iron supplements are effective, easy on the gut, and don't have the same restrictions on when you can take it/with what, etc. Both are available at the pharmacy - pricy but effective.

Thanks Karen, I am thinking I will try one of those.  Do you take vitamin C with this type of iron?  I will probably try the less expensive one first, then when I get 6 month labs done, if it is still low, probably try the other.  I am hoping it is just a transient thing due to my "leaky artery".  

judy

It never hurts to take vitamin c with iron. :)

Our bodies need vitamin C to absorb the iron. 

Are you advising me of this, or..... ?

If so, I'm well aware of "what our bodies need", thank you. Hence me telling the OP that "taking vitamin c with iron" is good.

Oh my goodness Karen, I wasn't advising you. I was trying to be supportive to the original poster.  Maybe I posted in the wrong place?

Wow Karen you're really on a mean spirited roll these days. Sheesh.

Proferrin is heme iron and does not need Viamin C to be absorbed.

http://www.proferrin.com/learning-center/health/vitamin-c-an d-iron-absorption.html 

You can get Feramax at Costco and they also have a generic substitute that is cheaper.  I break open the capsules and take in a bit of warm water.  No taste. Follow with chewable vitamin C.