Question:
How to get enough Iron daily

My doctor gave me a list of all the vitamins and minerals I need to have each day in a multi-vitamin. I had a lap RNY-medial 3 weeks ago. He wants me to get 300 mg of Iron a day. I went to GNC and got "Women's Ultra Mega" multi=vitamins; they had most of the other stuff I needed. But they only have 27 mg of Iron in it. The other mineral supplements that were just iron had anywhere from 12-20 mg of Iron. How on earth can I get 300 mg of iron in a day?!?!?! Also does anyone have a better multi-vitamin to suggest. This GNC vitamin is OK but it is a huge pill to take. I prefer smaller pills.    — laura T. (posted on June 10, 2001)

June 10, 2001
The pill that you got that is 27 mg is ELEMENTAL iron. Iron is measured differently, depending on it's type. Do NOT take enough of those pills to equal 300 mg - you WILL die. An iron overdose cause severe damage to your organs. I believe that ELEMENTAL iron is okay for RNY post ops, but I do know that Ferrous Sulfate, is not absorbed by an RNY patient. Ferrous Fumerate is the formulation of iron you need.
   — BethVBG

June 10, 2001
My nutritionist recommends Centrum A-Z as the most complete vitamin. She also recommends a separate iron supplement.
   — PT LawMom

June 11, 2001
Laura, I have to take a separte iron supplement. I take "SLow Fe". It works well. Then I take a chewable Vitamin C. Remember that whatever seperate Iron supplement you get, Vitamin C helps absorb the iron in your body. So you have to take an iron supplement along with Vitamin C. Hope this helps. By taking this, my bloodwork has been coming back fine and dandy since being out of surgery 8 months ago. Again, hope this helps... www.picturetrail.com/classygem before and after
   — Angela A.