chlorophyll w/ iron supp?

[BeckaBlue]

I'm curious if chlorophyll is ok to take with an iron supplement? nik's going back on iron because his ferritin is super low and they want to avoid him becoming extremely anemic again

He eats a ton of greens, some atleast everyday, it's the majority of his diet. his hemaglobin was up to 12.4, but his stores were 10.4, down from 15 3mts ago (they want atleast 28)

[Aisling]

:popcorn

[cobluegirl]

I have no idea....Kym might know...she is knowlegeable on iron...

[PurpleButterfly]

Absolutely! What kind of iron supplement is he on? You're talking about your 2 yo?

Keep in mind that standard ferrous sulfate supplements not only cause constipation and stomach issues, they are just not very well absorbed by the body, and for some reason many peds prescribe large daily doses when the body is only capable of processing a small amount at a a time. :/

Nemo has a genetic blood disease that requires us to be constantly battling anemia and low ferritin stores. I created a sticky here (http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/mb/index.php?topic=37280.0) with links to some of the discussions, recommendations, and articles I found helpful.

What I would do (and what works for us and has for several years now):

~Give Rhino Iron for kids (chewables, I could only find them online) which is the only chelated form of iron I have been able to find for children. It's bound to amino acids/Vita C (increases absorption) and much more gentle (never any constipation issues), as well as highly absorbable. It's made for children 4 and up, but I would personally give my 2 yo a half dose. Talk to your dr. about it. :)

~Avoid giving iron with any calcium-rich foods or daily vitas w/calcium, which blocks absorption of iron in the body.

~Always give iron with vita-C rich foods (tall glass of OJ is our standard), which help the body absorb and utilize iron.

~Give homeopathic Ferrum Phos (iron salts) 6x twice daily. Give seperately from any other supplements, foods, drinks, and not within 30 minutes of brushing teeth or using any minty things (inteferes with homeopathic remedies). This is also excellent to have on hand because you can give it for fevers and inflammation and it reallllly helps when your little one has a fever with vomiting and is not able to keep Tylenol/Motrin down (and it can be given safely with those and any other meds). It's a standard in our medicine chest. :tu

~Give KidGreenz (by Nature's Plus) or other similar daily chewable supplement that is chock full of naturally iron-rich, immune-boosting nutrients.

~Give herbal remedy for children that includes iron-rich and blood strengthening nettles, alfalfa, parsley, dandelion, burdock root, dulce, & yellow dock root. We found an ideal one made by Eric Rydland, MD, who we got to see for an appt. in his Miami practice a few years ago - wonderful board certified ped with natural healing bent. :tu He created Kids Wellness organic and alcohol-free Anemia Formula specifically for children 18 and under, and you can buy it at some Whole Foods locations or online at his website (link above in the sticky link).

~Cook as much as possible in cast-iron pan, lots of tomatoes and tomato sauces, puree in spinach. Make buckwheat pancakes and use lots of blackstrap molasses in the mix. Also, puree the blackstrap with maple syrup and all-fruit blueberry spread in the blender for an iron-rich homemade syrup. :yum

~Use whatever chloraphyll supplement you feel comfortable with. I could not find one that worked for us, so we did the KidGreenz and all of the above instead.

~Keep your dc away from large groups of kids and esp. germy conditions whenever possible...when ferretin stores are low, the immune system is very compromised and serious illness can set in quickly. Keep children's echinacea on hand and give at the first sign of any sniffles or if you've been in contact with anyone sick or who came down with an illness after you were exposed to them. We give echinacea ten consecutive days, usually 2-3x a day (we use Herbs for Kids Immune Support), but remember to take two weeks off, ten days on, so it doesn't lose it's effectiveness.

~Request an Rx for Emla cream or whatever the latest numbing cream is before the next blood draw - it will really make the draw less painful and stressful. Ideally, take your records from the general ped and get your ds under the care of a pediatric hematologists who specializes in this field and will be not only more knowledgable but will have an entirely better equipped office and staff that will make a tremendous difference for both you and your little one.

Doing all of the above, we were able to floor the ped and the ped hema with what they called "astonishing" results and a dramatic increase in ferretin stores in less time (2-3 weeks) than they had even thought possible. We also use this routine as needed and have been able to avoid any serious depletion issues for several years now, PTL.

:hugheart :pray :heart




http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/mb/index.php?topic=37280.0

[cobluegirl]

Great post Kym, THanks! ;)

[BeckaBlue]

I had looked into what you've recommended and most (or all, i can't recall now) contained something he's allergic to :( he is taking ferrous gluconate iirc (it's in being compounded), they couldn't do an allergen free sulfate. and yup, it's my 2yo

he's been seeing a pediatric hematologist, one of the best in the state, till a few months ago, the dr is having health problems :( now he's seeing a local pedhem, who happens to be our regular peds brother so they are able to communicate together a lot :tu

I will recheck the things you've recommended (and add a cast-iron pots to my list :doh i'd forgotten about that :neutral)

[PurpleButterfly]

:hugheart :pray