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

Oh boy...maybe I can offer some insight into these...though I'm sure you'll get many opinions. Not only should synthroid be taken on an empty stomach, but you should avoid eating high fiber foods for about 1 hour after taking the synthroid. And soy at any time of the day can reduce the effectiveness of your synthroid. Calcium, iron and zinc all fight with each other, and in this instance, calcium is the big boy on the block and wins hands down. Always try to keep 90 minutes between calcium foods and iron and 3 or 4 hours between calcium supplements and iron (and zinc). Avoid eating cereals, bread etc at the time you take minerals. Do not mix iron with soda, tea or coffee and never take it together with calcium and zinc, because these three nutrients compete for absorption. Calcium is the strongest of the three. You can however drink tea and coffee BEFORE taking iron, but not for at least one hour after for maximum absorption. Vitamin E will also inhibit absorption. Taking copper can help absorption. Avoid antacids at the same time! You can take iron with potassium and magnesium - but not calcium or E or zinc. Calcium stacks well with the following: Vitamins C, D and A, B-vitamins, MSM, inositol, carbs, fats and protein. I take my iron first thing in the morning w/ a vitamin C - wait about 90 minutes to 2 hours and then have my breakfast and take my multi-vitamin. Calcium I take at night before bed. Now since you need a 4 hour gap between synthroid and iron, I'd suggest the synthroid first thing in the morning. Then an hour later have your multi-vitamin (without added iron) and have a breakfast of something low in iron, not-high-in-fiber and grains. Yogurt, a banana, oatmeal (this grain actually increases the absorption of iron, oddly enough), no iron added protein supplement, etc. At about an hour before lunch, take your iron (should be at least 4 hours after your synthroid). Have a good lunch, but not something high in grains (except oatmeal) or calcium. So a hunk of meat and some veggies would be good - as an example. With your dinner you could have your second multi-vitamin and your first dose of calcium (if you have a 4 hour gap on the iron supplement). At bedtime have your last dose of calcium and have a dense protein snack with it. Of course, this is a good thing to sit down with your nutritionist and discuss - get a good schedule created for you individually. This isn't medical advise lol...just what I'd do based on my needs and eating protocols. Hope this helps! ~Tooter

Here is what my Dr. has us take after rny surgery. He tells us upfront if we are not willing to pay $30 - $40 on bariatric vitamins a month then we needed to go to another dr. The best thing is the amount of B12 is very high in the multi vitamin. We are to use Building Block vitamins http://www.bbvitamins.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=78 Morning: 1 multivitamin/mineral 3 calcium Afternoon: 1 multivitamin/mineral 1 iron Evening: 1 multivitamin/mineral 3 calcium calcium and iron should not be taken together no supplements should be taken with tea or coffee do not take synthroid with iron no supplements with pepcid I have to have 90g of protein for my height of 5'8 in 5 meals a day we aren't to drink juice so that is not an option and no herbal supplements - except ginger drops or slices for nausea I hope this helps... I take an anti depressant in the morning and evening. Shellie