Question:
How far apart should I be taking my Calcium and Iron?

I have two questions really, I know that we cannot asorb more then 500mg of Calcium at a time and I would like to know how much time I should wait between taking my doses? I also know that I can not take my Iron and my calcium at the same time, I would like to know how much time I should wait before these doses? I try to get in all my supplements at work or I just do not seem to get them in at all. Thanks, Marcy.    — Marcy S. (posted on June 24, 2003)

June 24, 2003
4 hours
   — ZZ S.

June 24, 2003
Marcy,<br>I've done extensive research into calcium citrate absorption and the minimum interval is two hours. I'm glad you're getting everything in! Here's how I take mine:<ol><li>When I wake up: iron<li>When I get to work (~10 am): Citracal Plus 500 mg<li>12:30: Citracal Plus 500 mg<li>4:00: Citracal Plus 500 mg<li>7:00 (with supper): iron<li>Bedtime: Citracal Plus 500 mg</ol>It's a good idea to take one of your doses of calcium as you go to bed at night as your bones can better absorb calcium when they are not supporting your weight. This is according to the NIH, I'm not making it up! :-)
   — Julia Z.

June 24, 2003
I recently asked my dietitian about this. She said two hours between doses of calcium or between calcium and iron is ideal. If it's a matter of taking it a little early (but at least an hour after the last dose) that is preferable to missing a dose completely, unless you can make it up later in the day without interfering with other doses. So, two hours + is ideal, but one hour is better than missing it all together.
   — Vespa R.