Ladies with anemia

NelAnn

How much iron do you take a day?

I just found out that I'm anemic and my doctor told me to take Slow Fe as an iron supplement. I read that it has 45 mg of iron and my prenatal has 27, for a whopping 72 mg total of iron! That just seems like an awful lot of iron to take which makes me nervous.

Thanks!

 

ellewoodsSC

If your provider told you to take one every day, I think it would be hard to worry about an OD.  They are sold OTC after all.  I'm not sure about the degree of your anemia, but I was just below normal range and my OB recommended every other day supplementation with Slow FE mainly to minimize GI side effects.

Canya615

I am on the same thing "Slow Fe" at 45 mgs....I am soooo anemic that I am instructed to take 3 pills a day at each meal, on top of my prenatal too. I think the normal range was 34-44 and my iron levels were at 18.

 

Needless to say I am taking some stool softeners as well!

NelAnn

Canya615:

I am on the same thing "Slow Fe" at 45 mgs....I am soooo anemic that I am instructed to take 3 pills a day at each meal, on top of my prenatal too. I think the normal range was 34-44 and my iron levels were at 18.

 

Needless to say I am taking some stool softeners as well!

 

Wow! Now that's a lot of iron! I'm not that anemic, my levels are at 31. I guess I'll just do what they say and try not to worry about it. Thanks.

Canya615

When I went to the store to get the pills, I couldn?t find the ones that I needed so I asked the pharmacists. Once she found them she asked if I knew how many I was to be taking and I told her three a day. She said the same thing..."Wow that is a lot of iron...what are you levels?" When I told her they were 18, she said "Well that explains it, might want to pick up some stool softeners while you are here"

Mac0711

I take a prescription iron supplement (Bifera Rx) in addition to my prenatal pill.  My levels were at 11 which would have been enough to put me in the hospital.  If I skip my iron pills, it shows almost immediately in my bloodwork.  The point is, your body can only absorb so much at one time so just follow your doc's guidelines.  Agree with the other poster who mentioned picking up some stool softener! GL

kellydw

I take 2 Slow FE a day plus my prenantal vitamin. Whatever your body does not absorb it gets washed out through your urine - which may change color.

1plus1equals3

I am anemic also and my Dr has me on 325 MG ferrus Sulfate (iorn) 2 times a day. Its allot to take and I dont appreciate what its doing to my bowels. But i Guess its better than the alternative,

eli_and_jeff

Our bodies are terrible at absorbing iron through supplements, so I wouldn't worry about od-ing. I was worried too when I realized I'd be taking 250% of my daily allowance, but I figured my prenatals had been provide 100% and my diet is healthy and I'm still anemic, so obviously that wasn't cutting it

JDB-Baby

I wasn't sure, so I asked the pharm he told me to get the generic iron pills that are 65 mg and take 1x per day. 

 I have to say I have felt so much better since I started taking them.

 BTW - since Vit C helps absorb iron, take with a glass of OJ. (Milk blocks the absorption.) 

Pinaysis86

I take 65 mg of iron twice a day then my prenatal which has 45 mg. I take a fiber pill with each iron pill and a glass of oj. It works out pretty well. I hope it helps when I go to deliver

MrsRiker

1plus1equals3:

I am anemic also and my Dr has me on 325 MG ferrus Sulfate (iorn) 2 times a day. Its allot to take and I dont appreciate what its doing to my bowels. But i Guess its better than the alternative,

325 mg ferrous sulfate only contains 65 mg of elemental iron. I just take one a day, but also on top of my regular vitamin. I've been taking it for a few weeks and haven't had any side effects other than stool and urine color.

TruN

Im anemic too but Iron will do you some justice you will be fine..

e_delo

I'm really confused, my office told me my iron levels had to be above 11.6 and my levels were 10.7. Then they instructed me to take 2 (65mg) iron pills a day in addition to my prenatal vit. which has 27 mg. But as I've looked into it, I have found that you are only supposed to have like 30 a day. So is all of my information incorrect? I have been taking my iron with OJ, and I've had diarrhea everyday since I started taking it. I had bought miralax but I guess I'll be taking it back, or saving it for later.