Iron supplements

I know I'm not the only one who struggles with iron levels, so I thought I'd give some of you a little heads up.

Through the course of my pharmacy training, I've had access to some really good information.  Although iron sulfate is supposed to be the most easily absorbed form, it doesn't work as well for us bypass folks because it's absorbed in the stomach/early small intestine aided by the stomach acid.  I looked into some other supplements and found that ferrous gluconate absorbs further down in the intestine, which is why they call is 'soft' iron.

Anyway, I started taking it after I was deferred from giving blood because of low hemogloin levels about a month ago.  I take it with juice because vitamin C aids in absorption.  My levels were fine today so I was able to give!  I've never been so happy to be able to donate blood.

If you've been steered another direction, great!  I just thought I'd let you all know what has actually finally worked for me.  It costs a little more, but as much as I've struggled with it, I'm just glad I found something that helps.

Linn

That is good to know.  I may try that so I can get off prenatal muti-vitamins before they put me on maxi-pads!!!!  They work for me but it is a little embarassing at times.

I'll keep you posted.  How long before your got results? any sooner than the month between your trying to give blood?

Joe

Joe,

I don't know how long it took, but I started feeling noticibly better within a couple weeks.  I haven't been tested in between.

I also thought it would be interesting info for the runners who also have to watch iron levels because of the iron loss through hemolysis.

I still take a multi every day and B12 sublingual twice a week, but the iron has been an issue when the run miles started increasing a year ago.

Linn

I am a blood donor also. I haven't started back since surgery though. Years ago I never had a problem when giving blood but the last time prior to surgery I was defered.

Is Ferrous Gluconate easily found? Is it an over the counter item that can be found any where? Thursday is my shopping day so I will look for it. I assume it is pill form?

Thanks for the great tip!

pan head

Hey Pan Head,

I was rarely deferred before surgery, and have given quite often since surgery, but since I started racking up the miles I've been deferred at least half the time.  I think the last time I tried it had been well over a year since I'd donated, so that's not the problem.  The problem is loss through hemolysis and poor absorption (I do generally eat well).

Anyway, the brand name I found is Fergon and it is over the counter in pill form.  I found it both at ShopKo and a grocery store with the other iron supplements.  It does cost about twice what the ferrous sulfate costs, but I'm fine with that since this actually worked.

Linn