Iron Supplement *new question* downpost

[RealLifeMama]

My iron is low.
My Dr dis not prescribe anything, but I am so exhausted I'd like to supplement.
What is a good way to do this? I am not going to use cast iron to cook.Ehat supplement are good?

I was surprised it was so low because I eat a ton of greens and I eat red meat once a week.

[MegMarch]

I am taking Perfect (brand) Beef Liver capsules for my low iron. My friend suggested them after she took them based on her midwife's recommendation. She gave me a bottle that she got for a good price through a co-op but you can buy them at several sites online, including Amazon. They smell a little and one time I had a nasty burp but otherwise taking them is fine. I feel improvement taking them but haven't had any testing to confirm improvement.

[Llee]

I use liquid chlorophyll with orange juice.

[Soliloquy]

Our absolute favorite iron supplement is Ferrasorb by Thorne. It actually gets absorbed and has a few other ingredients to help build bone marrow and blood. No GI upset.

My dh has chronic anemia and we've tried them all.

Thorne Research - Ferrasorb - Complete Blood Building Formula with Iron, Folate, and B vitamins - 60 Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IE1SG8E..._Mr8dzbPGXJC8G

[RealLifeMama]

Thanks!
I love everything from Thorne I've ever used.
I will look into the liquid chlorophyll, too.

---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

Oh, my D is low, too, so I might get their D3 while I'm at it.
Do you know if I would have to space them out?

[Aerynne]

Originally Posted by RealLifeMama

Thanks!
I love everything from Thorne I've ever used.
I will look into the liquid chlorophyll, too.

---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

Oh, my D is low, too, so I might get their D3 while I'm at it.
Do you know if I would have to space them out?

Iron and D3 shouldn't interfere with each other.
Vitamin C helps iron absorption.

You definitely should be supplementing with iron- your body tries to preserve iron in your blood so if a deficiency is showing up in your blood, it's severe. Chlorophyll can help because it's a similar molecule to hemoglobin but it doesn't have any actual iron in it so you should take iron, too. If you take vitamin C (or even drink a glass of OJ or eat other high-vitamin-C foods) at the same time as iron it increases iron absorption.

Iron and calcium compete for the same absorption pathways. Calcium is the bully and wins. So don't take iron at the same time as high-calcium foods or calcium supplements or you won't absorb the iron as well. Too much dairy can decrease iron levels in two ways- with the high calcium and by causing GI microbleeding that depletes your body of iron.

[tempus vernum]

Refresh my memory, what r u doing for thyroid? (Sorry)

Asking because my dd has to avoid certain supplements w others. Iron cannot be taken w two things and I forget which but one is w her thyroid med. I know u r not on a med but if I'm not mistaken iron interferes w glandulars and something else she takes as well

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

Our absolute favorite iron supplement is Ferrasorb by Thorne. It actually gets absorbed and has a few other ingredients to help build bone marrow and blood. No GI upset.

My dh has chronic anemia and we've tried them all.

Thorne Research - Ferrasorb - Complete Blood Building Formula with Iron, Folate, and B vitamins - 60 Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IE1SG8E..._Mr8dzbPGXJC8G

I asked Lisa so Dd has been using this. It actually makes her really hyper. If shedodnt do meds 2/day I'm pretty sure we'd stick w it but she takes at dinner and even at dinner she Is a bit too jittery to sleep.

We tried raw iron and hurt her tummy. She's moved on to trying iron bisglycinate (now foods) this but if it doesn't work she will go back to ferrabsorb and just struggle w a bit of restless sleep.

[RealLifeMama]

Originally Posted by SonshineMama

Refresh my memory, what r u doing for thyroid? (Sorry)

I am not taking anything for my thyroid. If I remember, I use YL's Endoflex essential oil on my neck, but I am not hugely consistent. I do not officially have hypothyroid, so I am going to assume that my symptoms are vitamin/mineral deficiency related instead.

The thing I don't understand is that everything I am reading about anemia talks about low Red blood count or hemoglobin, or even ferritin levels, and all of that was normal.
I just had very low iron serum (19, with range bring 27-159) and very low iron saturation. (like, 5, and normal range is 15-55.) I don't read anything about just low blood iron. But, the lab report said "iron deficiency anemia", so I am going with that.

I have had green smoothies every morning for a couple of years. I bet I have gotten not iron from them because I always make them with unsweetened almond milk from a carton, which is high in calcium.

[Soliloquy]

Originally Posted by SonshineMama

Refresh my memory, what r u doing for thyroid? (Sorry)

Asking because my dd has to avoid certain supplements w others. Iron cannot be taken w two things and I forget which but one is w her thyroid med. I know u r not on a med but if I'm not mistaken iron interferes w glandulars and something else she takes as well


I asked Lisa so Dd has been using this. It actually makes her really hyper. If shedodnt do meds 2/day I'm pretty sure we'd stick w it but she takes at dinner and even at dinner she Is a bit too jittery to sleep.

We tried raw iron and hurt her tummy. She's moved on to trying iron bisglycinate (now foods) this but if it doesn't work she will go back to ferrabsorb and just struggle w a bit of restless sleep.

The B vitamins do give an energy boost. I bet the iron bisglycinate would be much better for her.

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 AM ----------

Originally Posted by RealLifeMama

The thing I don't understand is that everything I am reading about anemia talks about low Red blood count or hemoglobin, or even ferritin levels, and all of that was normal.
I just had very low iron serum (19, with range bring 27-159) and very low iron saturation. (like, 5, and normal range is 15-55.) I don't read anything about just low blood iron. But, the lab report said "iron deficiency anemia", so I am going with that.

Two thoughts come to mind. First, your anemia could be in the early stages. If this is the case and you don't get any iron, eventually your hematocrit will drop.

Second thought is chronic illness. One method of fighting infection is to drop iron levels in the blood via IL-1. I think this is not very likely because you'd probably have other symptoms like joint pain or something else indicating inflammation. Did they check your WBC?

[RealLifeMama]

I never did take anything, but I went to another doctor and I had my levels retested, and it was fine. So, I don't know why they were so abysmally low before.
We also tested B12, and that was fine. So, there was nothing off.

I just don't know why I feel so bad. It is not all the time. I just have these "episodes". The doctor I saw the other day said she wanted to refer me to a cardiologist since I reported that I feel short of breath and have heaviness in my chest. Seriously, right now, one of my kids is sick and is quarantined in bed upstairs, and I have to go up and down, and I feel like I am just not going to make it. I am so, so lightheaded by the time I get done, and my arms feel tingly and heavy, my chest is heavy, and I feel like if I don't sit down right then I am going to die.
It could be anxiety, because it feels a lot like panic attack for me, but I don't know why exertion brings it on.

I have noticed that this seems to happen when my period is trying to start. Do you think that could be related?
When I say "trying", I mean that my cycles now are such that I spot for 4 or so days before it actually starts.

[Aerynne]

I don't know, but it sounds like you need to see a cardiologist (even if it's just so they can tell you your heart is fine). You could use at least a stress ekg but maybe a stress echo. If exertion doesn't always bring it on, you probably also need a holter monitor for a few days to make sure you get an episode recorded.

Which iron test(s) came back fine this time? I'd be highly suspicious if they came back fine once but not another time- like is it a lab error or something?

[Soliloquy]

I don't know anything off the top of my head but I think it's wise to get your heart checked. Blood sugar issues can feel like anxiety attacks, too.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 AM ----------

What about your lymph nodes?

[RealLifeMama]

I bet it is my blood sugar. I need to get some strips and take it when I have my next episode.
I was drinking Plexus Slim and their other Triplex products, and I felt so good. I remember just feeling the absence of anxiety and feeling actual energy. I could not afford it anymore, so I quit taking it.
It helps to stabilize blood sugar and hormones.
It would make sense that I would have blood sugar issues prior to my period starting.

The cardiologist is sending paperwork and I can make an appointment when I want to. I don't really want to pay for it, though. We have insurance, but we have not met our deductible, and it seems like a waste of money when I am pretty sure if I could just find the right combination of food, supplements, rest, and exercise, I would feel fine.

ETA: I just cleaned out the bunny hutches, with involves a lot of sweeping, raking, lifting, and is just general nastiness. It smells gross, and I always worry I am not doing it right. I felt totally fine.
Now, I am inside, sitting while I read this post and type this out, and I am feeling tightness again and like I just want to sigh a lot and can't get enough air.

[Singingmom]

Now, I am inside, sitting while I read this post and type this out, and I am feeling tightness again and like I just want to sigh a lot and can't get enough air.

This is how I feel with mild asthma. I don't wheeze, I just can't get a deep breathe. It's triggered by exertion, allergy, or illness. I wonder if tingly arms could be from oxygen not circulating properly from asthma.

[Soliloquy]

I'd definitely check your blood sugar if you have a meter.

I agree that Plexus is just not affordable for most people. Which is a shame because I think it's a decent supplement and seems to help a lot of people.

I add chia seeds to my homemade protein shakes every morning. I don't feel like I get low blood sugar when I have a high protein breakfast.