Iron and Prevacid

Hi, I am wondering if my prevacid that I take for gastritis every day may be affecting my iron absorption?  I do not take them at the same time (at least 2 hrs separate them) but am guessing that the prevacid, which decreases the acidity of my stomach may affect the iron absorption.  Any advice or thoughts?

I also take prevacid.  All patients of my surgeon take it for 1 year after surgery to kill off any acid producing pumps in the pouch that might be left after surgery.  Less acid = less chance of ulcers. As for iron.  Yes, it does need an acid environment for best absorption.  So you should be taking your iron pill with a Vitamin C pill.  They are friends and will help each other absorb better.  That's all the acid the iron needs.  Also iron works best if taken on an empty stomach and I've also heard some people here say that their iron levels increase when they crush the iron pill or use a chewable instead of a pill form. Good luck Pam

I am using the chewable iron with vitamin C.  So, hopefully this will help increase my ferritin level (11) and iron.  I am thinking though that if the acidity is low due to the PPI/prevacid that I may still have low ferritin/iron levels despite my increasing my iron dose since my absorption with be impaired.  I guess I will have to see what my followup labs show.  ALthough, my nut said, I did not need to recheck my level for 6 months. That seems like too long to wait to recheck.

I would say that as long as you're not taking your iron and your prevacid at the same time, you should be fine.  Also if you think your iron levels need to be checked before 6 months, ask your PCP to run those labs instead of waiting on the surgeon's office.