[Christina86]

I went to the health services clinic on my campus about 4 weeks ago on the urging of my friends. My apparent symptoms that I thought were 'just stress' ... they (friends) thought could be low iron, so they urged me to get tested...

And I did. Good for me, I can't stand doctors. Had blood drawn, got tested for everything under the sun that could make a person dizzy, feel faint, and tired all the time.

Turns out I'm anemic, more specifically iron deficient.

So it was recommended that I take an iron supplement to 'right' my levels.

I was told to look for a chelated iron. Something about chemical bonding and better absorption... I think?

So I bought my pills from a health food store, and started taking them. I don't notice much of a difference.

Saw my local oncampus pharmacist, and he says chelated iron isn't any better than another iron supplement, and that its the amount of elemental iron you get per pill that is important.

So now I'm turning to the people who might actually not confuse the crud out of me... all of you.



Questions:

Anyone else anemic? What did you do for it?
Anyone know if there's a difference between chelated and 'regular' iron supplements?
Should I be looking for a specific amount of elemental iron?
What should I be doing (besides pills) to up my iron intake? Eating anything particular? Not eating specific foods with the pills, or another type of drug?

I looked online for my answers and just got more frustrated because of all of the types of anemia out there and causes and treatments... someone, anyone, before I go insane trying to figure this out!

I just want to feel less... ucky. (meaning groggy, cranky, dizzy, tired, with these bad heart palpitations)

[InACorner]

"Most people don't need iron supplements. In fact, too much iron can be harmful to your health. Some people even have to avoid the common sources of dietary iron, because they have a genetic predisposition to over absorb and store excess iron. I feel it's necessary to include that caution before going further, because I want to make the point that you really shouldn't take an iron supplement unless you have a demonstrated need for iron. There are some symptoms which can give you a clue that you need to be tested: fatigue, shortness of breath, and learning problems in children.

A simple blood test called a CBC, or complete blood count, gives the first evidence of need for iron. From that, your health care provider can tell the number and size of your red blood cells. What's size got to do with it? People with iron deficiency may have a normal number of red cells, but they may be too small. It's also possible to have normal-sized red cells, but too few of them. Either condition is called anemia. The causes tend to be different, though.

If your red cells are too small, one common cause is iron deficiency. If you have too few red cells, your doctor may want to do some additional tests to find out why. You may simply not be getting enough iron, but you may have some unrecognized bleeding, or your body may be destroying red cells for some reason. It's important to find out why, so that the underlying condition can be addressed rather than simply treating a symptom. Pre-menopausal women may loose too much blood during their menstrual cycle, leading to anemia from that cause. Some doctors treat this with birth control pills, rather than iron substitutes as it treats the underlying cause.

Another possible cause of anemia is GI bleeding (stomach or intestine). This could be something as simple as irritation from aspirin, ibuprofen, etc - or it could be from an ulcer, esophageal varices (varicose veins), hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, or even cancer somewhere in the GI system. If your bowel movements are black, and you're not already taking iron supplements, GI bleeding is quite likely and must be investigated. Dark green or black bowel movements are common when iron supplements are taken. This is because you can’t generally absorb all the iron and it passes on through. Unfortunately, iron supplements can cause GI bleeding in some people. If your bowel movements are sticky and black in color, or if there are red streaks (visible blood), call your doctor ASAP. Either would be a definite sign of GI bleeding and must be investigated. All causes of GI bleeding are treatable, but it takes a doctor to make the diagnosis.

A deficiency of certain vitamins can also contribute to anemia. This is commonly due to a deficient diet or eating disorder, but may be a result of certain medical conditions which cause poor absorption of nutrients. Anemia can also be a symptom of lead poisoning - particularly in young children.

Iron is necessary for good health, but it is also one of the more dangerous dietary supplements. It is among the most common causes of accidental overdose in children. It is also among the most lethal. If too much iron is ingested, treatment must begin immediately.

If you’re still with me, I want to tell you about a different kind of iron supplement. In general, I believe that generic formulations are as good as brand names, and similar products will have similar results. In this case, though, I’ve found an iron supplement that has proven very effective for me, without the usual side effects of iron supplements.

The brand name I’m using is Gentle Iron from Solgar. It contains Iron Bisglycinate. There may be other brands with the same iron compound and there may be other chelated iron products that are as effective and gentle as this product. You’ll have to read the labels. I definitely recommend a chelated iron product over the conventional supplements. So far, I’ve seen no change in the color of my bowel movements, so I suspect I’m absorbing more of the iron than I would from another supplement. I also haven’t experienced the constipation which is so typical of other iron supplements (and my major reason for avoiding them). It doesn’t upset my stomach, either. Best of all, despite the fact that I’m currently receiving chemotherapy, my hematocrit went from 31 to 35 in under 2 weeks, so I can say that it was very effective for me, too.

You may not be able to find a chelated iron product in your local grocery store or pharmacy. I found mine in a local health food store. It’s also available on-line at Drugstore.com and at Vitamins.com (today, the price is lower at Vitamins.com) . The price is higher than for conventional supplements, but at just over $6 for 90 capsules, that’s still less than $2/month. I consider that a bargain for the effect I’ve gotten and the side effects I haven’t had.

This product is NOT less toxic than other iron compounds. In fact, I seem to be absorbing it far better than others, so I would consider it more likely to cause toxicity in case of an overdose . The bottle does have a “child resistant” cap, but we all know how useful those are sometimes -- keep it out of reach of children.

Gentle Iron is a vegetable based product.
From the Drugstore.com web site:
Solgar's Gentle Iron® Vegicaps® are free of corn, yeast, wheat, soy and dairy products and are formulated without the use of preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.

Certain foods and medications can affect the absorption of iron. Generally, anything high in calcium (dairy products, spinach, antacids, etc) will decrease absorption. Vitamin C and fruit juices can help increase absorption. Iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach, but it can be irritating to the stomach lining, so you may need to take it with food -- just avoid those dairy products. In researching this review, one thing came as a surprise to me, tea and coffee can also decrease your absorption of iron.

For more information on Iron Deficiency and Iron supplements, see the National Institute of health web site at:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...l#CATEGORY.SEC "

[InACorner]

i found this...i hope it helps a tiny bit...lol i took up so much freaking space it better help ...

[Christina86]

((((((((Inny)))))))))) Thanks!

That's a lot of information, but at least it's straightforward. Now I get to read...

[InACorner]

i dont know about the product she said that was good..but i thought the other facts around that were pretty good...plus anemia runs in my family...and im pretty sure i have it ...or will have because i have some of the symptoms.....

[bebop]

canders you need to get the iron pills and start eating more iron rich foods.

[desperado]

Canders,

I'm currently anemic, too.

My advice to you is to buy an iron supplement from the health food store (they have ones that don't result in awful constipation).

I'd also increase my daily intake of red meat, fish & poultry, green leafy vegies (namely spinach & romaine lettuce) & injest these w/ OJ or AJ. The vit C in the juice helps your body to better absorb the iron. Or, eat a few slices of tomato w/ your salad or meat, for e.g.

Lastly, but very importantly, do not consume caffeine. (At least allow a 1 1/2 - 2 hr window b/w your iron-rich meals & caffeine, then, if you have to). Caffeine leeches the iron out.

Good luck & stay healthy.

Des

[Gemstone]

I'm anemic too. I don't really have much to add. Desperado's advice is pretty much what my doctor told me.

Good luck with it. I know how yucky it makes you feel.

[Perna]

I'm with the others, eat iron-rich foods rather than try the pills route (maybe take a complete/daily vitamin with Iron too?):

http://www.healthcastle.com/iron.shtml

[PetulantWolf]

I was anemic -tired, pale, short of breath and I began taking Walgreens Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg which = 65 mg elemental Iron twice a day and it worked.

I dont really know the answers to your questions, but I know I took this a saw a vast improvement. I had more energy and my cycle improved temendously.

The doctor recomended this dosage but not the brand...still worked though, even though it was the inexpensive one...

[lenjan]

I'd go with the dietary route too -- red meat, etc. I've been anemic, but so bad I needed blood transfusions. Try to rein it in before you get to that level!

(((((((Christina))))))

[Christina86]

Hey all - thanks so much for your responses!

(((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))

I would go eat more red meat etc but living in residence seems to be the main cause of my anemia. I could eat the residence food (cafeteria) but no good meat there - just a lot of sodium, fat, and preservatives. I can't exactly do a lot of cooking in my kitchen either (I currently have a stove top and microwave). Basically, my anemia is because my diet sucks, my diet sucks because I can't cook)

Desperado - that made me sad. I love my caffeine, it's almost a necessity for university! I'll remember to watch when I drink it though.

Anyone get weird side effects because of iron pills? I've got something happening that wasn't there before, and wondering if its because of the iron... (Don't want to say here, because it's too embarassing)

[PetulantWolf]

your poo turns colors.

[Christina86]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
justsignmeupalready said:
your poo turns colors.

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Not quite that. hehe

But I feel constipated and well, gassy. I also think my 'time of the month' is starting up again, and its been only 3 weeks. oddddddd

[desperado]

Hey Canders

Is there anyone who can help you cook? A stove top isn't great, but you can fry up some red meat.........

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Desperado - that made me sad. I love my caffeine, it's almost a necessity for university! I'll remember to watch when I drink it though.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I hear ya. Caffeine is worse than you think. Leeches the Ca++ (not all, but a lot) out of your food or daily vit, too. Unfortunately, caffeine seems to be quite a staple in our busy lives these days.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Anyone get weird side effects because of iron pills? I've got something happening that wasn't there before, and wondering if its because of the iron... (Don't want to say here, because it's too embarassing)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

PM me; I'll do my best to get bk to you.

TC.