Question:
Which type of iron is best for a very anemic person (pre-op)?

I have looked in the library on "Iron" but am not sure of what is right or whatever..I have heard of polysaccharide iron (generic for Niferex) which is 150mg as well as elemental iron or is it ferrous sulfate..anyways my iron level dropped from 9.8 last Nov to 8.8 in April even after got started on the RX Niferex..I'm wanting to get it up ASAP before surgery in Sept..I take 5 Niferex pills at 150mg each daily..my levels were last checked in April so not sure if I should see about increasing it or change to a different type of iron..and yes I did put a call into my PCP to see what he thinks...So thanks for any and all input! Rhonda    — Rhondaroo78 (posted on July 26, 2003)

July 26, 2003
Hi Rhonda....I was very anemic prior to surgery and had to take 325 mg Ferrous Sulfate - 3x/day. It was a prescription iron pill. It did the trick for me. Sounds like you might need a larger dose??
   — Terri G.

July 26, 2003
Just to help you sort your numbers out a bit, 325mg fe sulfate is iron SALTS. That is usually yabout 65mg ELEMENTAL iron. So, your Niferex 150's are more than 2 the of the fe sulfates. If you're doing the Niferex Forte (Rx version of polysaccharride) and the numbers aren't rising, you might ask for Rx for either Chromgen Forte or Trinsicon. Your body may prefer either of those, tho all 3 are good irons. The Rx version contain B12 + intrinsic factor + folic acid + vit C, in addition to the iron. A nice lil combo. However, if none of them are cutting it, then you're back down to the low mg irons that are genetle, cheap, easy to take. My preference in that catergory is carbonyl iron. I would not ever recommend fe sulfate for anyone at all. It is the only non-organic iron (that I know), and just about any organic form is absorbed better. Fe sulfate is the one you associate with "iron", when you think of constipation & tummy pain.
   — vitalady

July 28, 2003
Don't know if you know this or are doing it now, but if iron is taken WITHOUT ORANGE JUICE, it will pass right thru your system. My OBGYN told me this when my iron was low during pregnancies. Hope this helps!!
   — bufordslipstick

August 1, 2003
Rhonda, I have fought anemia for about a year due to internal bleeding episodes. (the problem will be taken care of while they do the lap rny) Two months ago I was down to 7.6 and on the verge of a blood transfusion. Since I got my surgery date I've been taking iron shots daily. The surgeon wants me up to 11 before surgery and I'm at 10.7 now! One week til surgery - YIPPEE!! The shots are no big deal and they have done wonders for my evergy levels and ability to move without gettting out of breath. Best of luck.
   — Linda L.