Long Timers ! How Much Iron do you take a day?

I had my Gastric Bypass in 2002.   I am anemic with low ferritan levels.   Trying to see how much iron you take/day.  I have been taking the UNJURY Multi with 30 mg/iron and I guess I need more.   Thanks for the info

I'm 3.5 years out. My ferritin is finally under control. I am taking Vitalady Tender Iron (60 mg elemental carobonyl iron with 400 mg Vitamin C) x2 per day - of course, at least 2 hours outside of my calcium. We've also found my body does better if I space these out 2 hours apart, as well.

My schedule looks like this:

6:30 a.m. multivit, calcium, vit D, sublingual B12

8:30 a.m. calcium

10:30 a.m. iron

12:30 p.m. iron

6:00 p.m. multivit, calcium, biotin, fish oil

What are your ferritin numbers?  If they are very low, you may not be able to catch up just taking iron supplements.  Some of us simply do not absorb iron and have to have periodic iron infusions.  My ferritin levels were at 13 when I had my first infusion ( which brought my numbers up to 164).  Then my numbers fell to below 50 and my hematologist ordered another round of infusions so that I wouldn't get to the point where I felt really crappy.   I take 120 mg Carbonyl Iron with 800mg Vit C daily to slow the drop in ferritin.  I will always have to have infusions, but with supplementation, it will be every other or every third year instead of every 9 months. 

I'm over 3.5 years out and trying to increase my ferritin level. It went up from 37 to 40.  I increased my dose from 360 mg to 420 mg.  I'm using VitaLady's carbonyl iron capsules which has 60 mg iron and 400 mg  vitamin C.

I've never counted the iron in my multivitamin. I have taken very large doses of iron by mouth but for me it's just not absorbed very well so I receive IV iron. I still take the pills but for me I need extra by IV.

Deb T.

Rocky you always have good info to share, thank you!  Pre-surgery I worked diligently to get my level UP to 11 (I've never been allowed to donate blood, cuz they always check that). I think I was ok at my last checkup (1st annual) and have a blood draw scheduled for next Mon. I take Sundown Naturals, with vit C so will be watching that.

Ferritin levels below 50 will start showing signs of fatigue and restless leg syndrome.  Most doctors won't do anything for you until your numbers are very low (under 10).  That's really a shame because you really feel like crap when you get that low.  I'm lucky.  My hematologist is VERY proactive.  

If your numbers are in the teens, I would get a referral from your PCP to see a hematologist.  There is no reason to suffer through.  Iron infusions will make you feel so much better.

Like Rocky, I take 120 mg Carbonyl Iron with 800mg Vit C daily (two of the Tender Iron capsules from Vitalady).  My levels have not been low since my surgery, and since I had a hysterectomy before my RNY I originally didn't take any iron at all (for about 2 years, I think), but after the first few years my lab numbers started to show a steady downward slide, so I added 60mg and that slowed the decline but didn't stop it, so I started doubling it.  That keeps my levels stable in a good range.

Many people DO need infusions, though, either on a one time basis just to get their levels back up or on a periodic basis to address continuing low levels.

Lora