Question:
HELP!! I need some advise re: scheduling my iron pills

I feel really silly asking this question, but I need some advise. I am 8 months post op and I am supposed to take 1 perscription iron pill 3 times a day. Now my question is, since I can't take it with the rest of my vitamins and pills in the morning, and I can't take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after I eat anything, when on earth am I supposed to get all these pills in, get my protein in and my water. I'm so confused!! Pretty soon I'll have to give up sleep just to comply with all these other things. HELP!!!    — tlg6056 (posted on June 25, 2001)

June 25, 2001
Tammy, I take prescription iron pills three times a day as well. I was told by my physician to never take iron on an empty stomach; always take it with a meal...and that if I eat any dairy products with that meal, to make sure that I take a Vitamin C tablet after the iron...that dairy products block the absorption of iron whereas Vitamin C assists in its absorption.
   — CaseyinLA

June 25, 2001
Very good question...and I want to add another one.....I have low iron and have been using the vit4life vitamins for two weeks. The vitamins have all the minerals and everything in one pill....calcium citrate along with ferrous fumerate. I have to take 9 pills a day too. I e mailed and asked if the calcium citrate did not block the absorbtion of the iron and the CEO e mailed me back and said it simply has not been a problem???? I am not sure I can agree with this! Maybe it hasn't been a problem YET but I was led to believe that calcium and iron shouldn't be take together! Hey Michelle Curan, what gives? Is this vitamin any good? I need help because I am counting on this vitamin so that I won't have to have iron injections! I had one of those shots and whoa....no more please! They hurt. Anybody care to advise? This iron problem seems to be very widespread and we need good advice. My dietician doesn't seem concerned about it either.
   — Marilyn C.

June 26, 2001
Well, wait a sec here. What kind of iron is it that needs to be taken in 3 separate doses? Sulfate likes an empty stomach, but it is not well absorbed, no matter what you do with it. The carbonyl type is fine with food & is well absorbed. Not being able to eat for 3 hours with it would certainly preclude my taking it. If it is some of the more absorbable irons, it can be taken with food, just not with your regular vites or other meds or caffeine or dairy-- just take it with C, but it'd be fine with maybe your protein drink, as long as that wasn't milk based. I know there are studies that say that ferrous fumarate & calcium citrate can coexist, as I've seen them, too. I just have not seen it work in real life for an extended period of time. I personally will stick with the products that have given me good results, and not be experimenting. Did that. Cost me my bones. Not doing it any more. I prefer to be able to sort my vites and space them to my liking.
   — vitalady