Question:
What is the best way to take iron?

I am 3 days away from surgery. My Dr. suggested that I start taking iron now, as my hemoglobin was a little low. So...off I went to Walmart and came home with a huge bottle of what appears to be the nastiest tasting liquid on the planet. Please please tell me there is something better out there.    — tlg6056 (posted on October 15, 2000)

October 15, 2000
I had a real problem taking iron post op. First,I was given liquid iron (ferrous sulfate). It upset my pouch something awful! I tried to force it down but I got sicker so I stopped it. Fortunately Michelle Curran told me about "Perfect Iron" pills. She sells them at vitalady.com. I checked w/ my surgeon and being that they are small and are not supposed to be crushed, he said I could take them. I have a pill cutter/crusher and I cut the pill into quarters and take each quarter a little at a time w/ water. Check w/ Michelle Curran before you get them, though. There are certain guidelines that are to be followed when taking iron. Good luck!!
   — kathy S.

October 15, 2000
Thanks Kathy--they must be hitting you ever so nicely, then? The Perfect Iron are tiny, they are 25mg each, they are well absorbed by us (ferrous sulfate is NOT), so they don't cause constipation (unless you ate WAY too many) and they're easy on the pouch. Take them with any old C, but not with calcium, tums, antacids, antibiotics, milk, caffeine or any other minerals. Now, if you need a larger dose of iron, there is a 150mg OTC available, as well. Otherwise, if your ins. cover 'em, 3 prescriptions that work well for Our Kind are Chromagen Forte (150mg), Niferex Forte (150mg) & Trinsicon (110mg), and all contain C & a dab of B12.
   — vitalady

October 16, 2000
Just a couple of small things...try not to drink water for a half hour or so before you take your iron and take it with only the smallest sip of water (the iron is absorbed in the pouch and it won't do any good if you flush the pills through before they've had a chance to dissolve and absorb). I don't drink anything for about 45 minutes after I take my iron so it will have plenty of time to absorb. Also, follow Michelle's direction on what to take and what not to take with iron.
   — Kellie L.

October 17, 2000
Ask your doctor for a prescription of iron supplements. OB doctors give pregnant women iron supplements always. They are out there and they are in pill form. No nasty liquids!!! :-) Also, there are certain foods that are high in iron such as liver and spinach. Research the internet and see what you can find.
   — SnowWhiteDove459