Question:
Bottomline -- Which Iron to Take?
I was told to take ferrous sulfate iron (no stomach problems other then constipation) but now I read that it's not the one to take for WLS post-op. So do we take carboyl iron, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous gluconate? Like calcium this iron is getting confusing. — Starrlina (posted on September 29, 2003)
September 29, 2003
I take the glucanate(sp) since that is what my nurse says is the gentlest
one and the sulfate upset my stomach.
6/27/03 292/228
— horserider0146
September 29, 2003
Ferrous sulfate is not absorbed well by post-ops. I was also put on it and
it made me sick as a dog. I started using carboneal iron with vitamin C
and have had no trouble at all.
— LLinderman
September 29, 2003
Was told carbonyl is the best absorbed for wls patients.
— jennifer A.
September 30, 2003
There ya go....carbonyl, sulfate, gluconate! Now this is not meant in a
mean spirited way, but I think our 'experts' have it all covered! Three
different posters, three different doctors, and three different forms of
iron. Well, I'd say, pick one...ya can't go wrong. Actually the moral of
the story.....check with a real professional (doctor or pharmacist) and go
with what they advise. Of course you STILL won't be in agreement with our
experts on here. ;)
— Ginger M.
September 30, 2003
Ginger~ Actually two out of the three are saying carbonyl so the majority
should rule right? lol Seriously though there are studies that show that
carbonyl iron is the best absorbed by wls patients.....just like the
studies that show calcium citrate instead of the carbonate is the best
absorbed calcium for wls patients.Are these studies completely accurate?
maybe,maybe not butI say better be safe than sorry.
— jennifer A.
September 30, 2003
and to throw in another non-expert opinion...not everyone needs iron
supplements. Check with your doctor for blood work to make sure you really
need it!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 30, 2003
can anyone cite any evidence based research to support using one form over
another, I would really like to see amedical journal article that shows a
comparison in a valid study as to the efficacy of any particular form of
iron over another. I am hoping that my doc is in fact using evidence based
practice when recommending the type of iron he recommended for me. there is
lots of anecdotal stuff out there being spread as gospel truth with
absolutely no evidence to back it up other than so and so had surgery X
number of years ago and is "the expert" and say only this is good
in spite of what hundreds of doctors and dieticians are telling their
patients. I just want to see actual medical studies before I take the word
of a lay person who may or may not be the expert they portray themselves
to be.
— **willow**
September 30, 2003
I WAS TOLD BY MY SURGEON... AND TOLD AGAIN... TO TAKE FERROUS FUMERATE.
EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE IRON, BECAUSE WE AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH FROM THE FOODS
WE EAT, AND A DEFICIENCY CAN CAUSE ANEMIA AND OTHER SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.
:-) GOD BLESS!
— Katrina K.
September 30, 2003
While it's true that MOST people should take iron because a lack of it can
cause anemia and other side effects, not everyone SHOULD. Pre-WLS I had a
not-so-rare condition of too much iron in my blood. This can cause many
serious health problems in some. Now my iron is perfect without
supplementing. If you have never had your iron checked, I just want to
encourage you to do so before supplementing iron in your diet.
Unfortunately, not every doc does blood work when they should.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 30, 2003
Check Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible for one explanation of iron. Mine's so
old it doesn't mention carbonyl. Beyond Change is a WLS newsletter put out
by professionals in our field. And these are pros who CARE and this IS
their life, not just a job on the way up the ladder. There are many of
these publications, of course, but having met many of these people, most of
them are right on. They've learned, as I have, to "never mind"
what they learned in school and look at real people, with real faces, with
real labs. They often recommend carbonyl as the gentlest, best absorbed for
an iron in small doses. Polysaccharride for the larger doses. The ferrous
glucontate & fumarates are good ON PAPER, but I've not seen results
that indicate they are better than carbonyl. As always, iron is taken with
vit C, not with caffeine or diary, not with any other vites, minerals or
meds, unless your pharmacist says there is no conflict. Iron is hard to get
along with, does not WANT to help us out, so we must play but its rules.
Vit C is Mr Laid Back vitamin, so it mellows the iron out. In reality, the
acid/compostion of C helps iron absorb. But that's how I remember which it
is. Iron: Mr Grumpy, Vit C, Mr Laid Back. Generally speaking, anyone with
malabsorption (RNY or BPD) needs iron. There are a few exceptions & I'm
one. I'm as distal as you can be and SHOULD be chronically anemic as I was
pre-op. Like Ruth, I have high iron levels (do not have hemachromatosis,
tested), and who knows why? There is no iron in my multi and I surely don't
eat iron foods, I mean, liver? But others from my era are terribly anemic,
regardless of which irons they've tried. BTW, I was anemic til I used
carbonyl.
— vitalady
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