What kind of iron is the most absorbed ?

I am anemic and I have been taking iron but now I read here that some types are not absorbed very well.

I hate taking it so I want to be sure I am absorbing it.

I am also anemic. The Dr put me on Iron (ferrous sulfate) 325mg & I take 2 pills every day. Ive found that OTC iron pills are just not enough.
The vitalday says (& I have read) that it is best to take iron w/ Vit C as it helps with the absorbtion.

funny - i also use to really hate taking pills (specially my vits)  i swear it was like taking them almost made me .

But i found a way where I can take them & tolderate them - so its not so bad.
OH PLUS - I love the "natural high" they give me so im not all all the time/

I take Tender-Iron.  It says it is Carbonyl Iron Tablets.  I got these from Vitalady.  I take them with vit c.   what do you think?

Ruby
rny 3/2005
262/125/135
hi/lo/today

 

Far superior to any ferrous forms.

How many are you taking?

My iron is 100 (last labs), ferritin 277

Numbers have been consistent for years now, and my dh are very similar. I always get us mixed up. LOL


We take 12 (300mg elemental iron, which would be 5 of the fe sulfate, if they absorbed at all) + C + copper

Michelle, do you mean you take 12 tender-iron.  The bottle says take one. 

3/2009 my Ferritin was 28, no total iron figure on labs (transferrin was 303---whatever that is.)  

9/2009 my total iron was 150, no Ferritin figure on labs.

I am 65, so post-menopause.

Pls respond--sorry to take so long to respond to your comment--new grand baby--have been out of town.

Ruby
rny 3/2005
262/125/137
hi/lo/today   

The bottle lists the serving size as one. As in: one pill = 25mg.

I can't really suggest a dosage on the bottle, since everyone is different

What happens below the waist is n/a. Young women who have major issues, of course, need to address iron more aggressively, but us oldies and men still address iron, because we get none from dietary sources. Eat all you want, can't absorb it.

Sooooooooo, at this point, you're comparing apples to oranges?

ferritin of 150 is getting about right by my stds. I like mine between 200-300. But iron at that is pushing the high end.

Wish we knew what the ferritin and iron were AT THE SAME TIME

Our proximal RNY start on 6 Tender iron (150mg), for example. DS and distal RNY like me start on 300mg.

But I can't say that on the bottle.

I am increasing my Tender Iron to 6 a day.  I take with vit c and chew when I take both.  I am scheduled for labs 3/24 and will ask to have total iron and ferritin tested at that time.  What do you think of my total iron of 150?

Thanks for your help.
Ruby
rny  3/11/2005

 

total iron at 150 is confusing when you had no ferritin to speak of. Let's see what you get when you get all the reads at once.

I too am anemic. In May of 09, my ferritin level was 4. My dr increased my iron for 6 weeks, after repeat labs, it had only increased to 6. He sent me to a hematologist, who in turn drew more labs and my level was back at 4. To make a long story short, I had an iron infusion in August. My level came up to 250. He was not impressed. Hematologist said it should have been well into the 370's given the amount he infused. I am scheduled to see him for repeat labs in March. I really feel like my levels havefallen again. I have that same old feeling as prior to infusion. Anyway, the hematologist told me not to waist my money on iron supplement, that I clearly was not absorbing enough to help my levels. He told me that it looks like I will be receiving infusions from now on. He is hoping I can go 9 months - 1 year between infusions.

Please remember that there are few M.D.'s who know how we react. Transfusions are dangerous to your immune system. Sometimes as patients of this sort we have to deal. Your body is craving meat, spinach, etc. You need to supplement when there is no other digestion going on.. WE lack intrinsic factor. Which means the whole system is off.. Supplement meals with digestive enzymes, and pancreatic enzymes, this allows the body to feel as iff it is in balance. Let me know how you are doing.. Your doc tells you not to waste your money on iron?? What are they doing? wasting your co-pay