Question:
After taking iron, how long do you need to wait before taking calcium?

It says you cannot take iron and calcium together. And you should not eat eggs, milk, cheese etc. after taking iron. Okay, then how long do you have to wait after taking iron to be able to eat eggs, milk, cheese etc? As you can tell, I am having a problem co-ordinating the taking of my iron and my calcium.    — Ginger M. (posted on January 11, 2003)

January 11, 2003
Hiya :). According to my Dr., we should wait at least 30 minutes. Good luck!
   — SuzAnne S.

January 11, 2003
Or caffeine. But you could take it with a piece of toast or something benign. Iron + C, not with dairy, caffeine, other vites, meds- for an hour. Maybe in the morning, then do your calcium with lunch, dinner & bedtime?
   — vitalady

January 11, 2003
Wow - I'm so glad you asked this!! I didn't know you couldn't take Calcium and iron together!! I know you can't take more than one calcium pill at a time (as we only absorb I think 500g at a time), and I spread my calcium out 4 hours each. But sometimes I was taking my iron pill with my calcium pill. Guess I gotta cut that out! I also didn't know the eggs, milk, cheese, dairy products angle. I learn so much from this site! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to answer, it helps ALL of us so much!!! Open RNY 1/31/02, down 94 lbs. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 11, 2003
I take calcium in am with multivit. and B12. Another calcium at lunch. Iron with Vit. C at bedtime. Works for me.
   — Dana S.

January 12, 2003
I was told by my nutritionist to take calcium and iron (including multi vitamins with iron) 2-3 hours apart. ( Otherwise they compete for absorption-- both can't be absorbed at the same time.We aren't even allowed to take iron with milk, though I was told it was ok with 1 oz. hard cheese. (FYI: My nutritionist works with my surgeon, so these are his rules, as well) <br>
   — Beth S.