Anyone have a recommendation for an iron supplement that doesn't cause tummy troubles?

[Connonym]

My anemia from Auntie Flo has taken my hemoglobin down to 8.9 and I finally go see my GYN next Tuesday. My family doc said in the meantime to take a double dose of OTC iron tablets (and he also recommended I call the GYN and see if I can get in immediately but I've already called 4 times and they can't "squeeze" me in) I've found that a lot of iron pills can be (oh what the hell I'm talking about Aunt Flo so I may as well not beat around the bush so to speak)constipating. They used to make one called Vitron C that was chewable and had vitamin C to aid in the absorption of the iron but they don't sell it any more. Any veterans of the GYN wars have a brand/formulation of iron to recommend?

I'm just glad to have the blood test confirm that I'm not going insane and that my symptoms of being lightheaded, exhausted and spaced out aren't all in my head, it's because I'm not getting enough oxygen. My hemoglobin was only 10 a month ago (normal for a woman,according to my doc, is 13+ with anything less than 11 being considered anemic). I can't wait to get this all over with so I can stop feeling like the living dead.

And even though I wasn't able to convince the GYN to fit me in sooner I'm proud that I stood up for myself with my family doctor and got the stat blood work ordered. I feel vindicated to a degree. Now hopefully the GYN won't try to insist on making me try more hormones again. Wish me luck and please chime in if you have any iron suggestions.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Connonym...

I'm really sorry to hear you've been ill, with your low Hgb. as the result...

I can't recommend any particular brand, but I can suggest that you look for time-released iron tablets.

They often come combined with vitamins...

You could also talk to your pharmacist, if you have someone you trust...

Good luck, sweetie...

:hug:

[Connonym]

6. Thanks Peggy

I love that folks around here are not too embarrassed or shy to talk about perimenopause like it's a dirty secret. Means a lot to me and has really helped me through what has been quite a test of my endurance.

[crimsonblue]

2. flinstones kids... they taste great too!

[Connonym]

7. hmmm I'll have to look and see how much iron is in there

thanks for the suggestion, it'd probably help convince my kids to take vitamins too

[Zephyrbird]

13. I second that! My surgeon told me if you can't take

iron supplements because of stomach upset, Flintstones chewables are the best thing to take! She cracked me up! my sister bought me a giant size container for Christmas. Got a big laugh around the tree.

Get the Flintstones - a taste of childhood reborn!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. From my fancy hematologist

I have a genetic anemia, and can't tolerate the OTC iron supplements. So, after a lot of testing, my hematologist told me to take Iberet 500. It's over-that-counter and the most important thing is NEVER to take it on an empty stomach, NEVER take it with any kind of dairy product.

It's great stuff.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/iberet-500.html

[Connonym]

9. Thank you!

I'm going to see if they have it at the local pharmacy and if not order some online. My stomach is almost always never empty ;-) and I can't eat dairy so I should be ok :) Thanks

[Tangerine LaBamba]

21. Good luck

One thing to remember when you're eating iron-rich foods, like spinach, is to combine them with something containing hefty amounts of vitamin C. Makes for far better absorption of the iron by your body. A spinach salad with a glass of orange juice, for instance, greatly increases the amount of iron you'll take in.

And, as always, make sure your diet is fiber-rich, drink lots of water, and exercise moderately. That'll give the inevitable constipation a :::: ahem :::: run for its money.

Again, good luck. Anemia's no fun. You're going to do a lot better once you get some Iberet in you.

[China_cat]

4. If you have cast iron pans, use them.

The iron your food will pick up from them is a much more easily used form than the constipating pills. Raisins have as much or more iron than liver...and taste better. B12 in tablet form will help your body use the iron that you take in.

Shellfish such as shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels. Cooked beans and lentils, pumpkin seeds, molasses.

I used to donate plasma and keeping up both hematacrit and hemoglobin was very important. These suggestions come from what worked for me.

[Connonym]

5. :) can I make them chocolate covered raisins?

I already take B12 so I'm covered on that. I don't think we have any iron pans. Thanks for the suggestions!

[China_cat]

10. Any iron that would leach out of the raisins would just

deposit in the chocolate, so pig out.

[KitchenWitch]

8. Ferrous Gluconate - but get some senokot and add fiber to your diet.

No wonder you feel like hell.

:hug:

[Lil Missy]

11. Ultra Mega Gold

I think that is what it's called. It's rich in Vitamin B supplements, and the "Gold" subtype means Iron supplements are added.

When I had a similar problem years ago that's what my Dr recommended. You can find it at a GNC store or website.

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. Red meat and beef liver.

[Connonym]

16. I would have to be dying to eat liver

the smell alone makes me physically ill. I have been trying to eat more spinach and I have also noticed that I'm craving hamburgers more than usual. Funny how your body lets you know what you need.

[Zephyrbird]

14. I'm going to recommend something odd here,

Eat blueberries. they're a fruit chock a block full of iron, one of the few fruits that have a high iron content. My sister has hemochromatosis, and one of the verboten things is eating too many blueberries - bad for folks with hemo, good for folks with lack of iron.

Good luck.

[Connonym]

17. I happen to love them :)

excellent suggestion thanks :)

[LeftyMom]

15. Floradix. You can get it at a health food store or online.

Best stuff ever. :thumbsup:

Also, there's stuff you can do diet-wise. A lot of people find that eliminating dairy helps. In terms of stuff to add, blackstrap molasses works like a charm. I blend it into chili, because beans are also a good source and the vitamin c in tomatoes helps with absorption.

[auntAgonist]

18. Tender Iron available at

http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=vtmnfe&template=Templates/sr_vtmnfe.html

highly recommended by my surgeon and my hematologist.

I have had Iron infusions while in the hospital in the past for severe malnutrition and anemia. Tender Iron works and as it's name suggests it shouldn't give you any trouble.

aA

[KT2000]

19. Ferro-Force

It is an iron and multi-vitamin liquid.
It is non-constipating, the taste is not bad, especially when mixed with fruit juice.
It is made in Germany and I get it at a naturopath's.
Very good stuff.

I just googled it and the comments are mostly about how it is not constipating.

[ismnotwasm]

20. Malt-o-Meal

Serious. It's got a lot of iron. And I use gel based pills instead of solid supplements-- they help with the stomach.