Iron Supplements

[DingoGirl]

I'm new here....just diagnosed last week. I am severely anemic and my doctor has presribed 325 mg. of iron twice a day. What I purchased last week has maltodextrin. Do any of you know of any iron supplements that contain amounts that high (the pharmacist said it would be ferrous sulfate, and that dose would provide 65 mg. of elemental iron) that do not contain gluten? I've been four places and can't find it, and I"m SO tired.

Also, I am wondering if it really takes months to feel better. My job (just started there a month ago) is kind of in jeopardy as I'm so tired I can't really think. I have to tell them what's going on, but since I work in a rock climbing gym, and pain and weakness are not familiar concepts to them, I don't think they'll really understand. Climbing is not even possible for me at this point as I get out of breath from the simplest things, like changing the sheets!! I"ve gotten much sicker since I accepted the job two months ago....

iron has gone about five points lower since then and I've lost about five more pounds...am emaciated and weak!

Thanks everyone!

Susan

[sb4480]

Hi Susan,

I too am very anemic. My doctor recommended taking a vitamin called "Vitron-C." It's gluten free and contains 200 mg of ferrous fumarate (iron) and 150mg of vitamin C. I take 3 a day and I special order it through my pharmacy (Target). The vitamin C is supposed to help you absorb the iron. I'm sure you're already aware that iron supplements can be hard on the system (they make you constipated) so I take docusate sodium with it. I'm going to switch to a regular fiber supplement soon though because I don't like the idea of depending on laxatives.

Good luck!

Steph

[IronedOut]

My anemia and malabsorption issues were to the point were I had to have intravenous iron treatments. These get right into the bloodstream and don't rely on my non-functioning intestines to do any work. If you are far enough down that breathing is an issue, weight loss is sustained and your job is in jeopardy, talk with your doctor about a better treatment method.

[jenvan]

How seriously low is your iron? There is a chance that the pills will have little effect for you, since your intestines may take a while to heal and begin absorbing. If your levels are very low, an iron infusion is a good option, and one that has immediate results. Also, your fatigue etc. may not be able to be attributed exclusively to your anemia. My fatigue did not improve with the infusion and regular iron levels...it is more of a celiac consquence for me, vs the iron. It is hard to tell how much time it will take to notice improvement. Some people have immediate results, others take longer. Have you been able to go 100% gluten-free with success, including lotions, makeup etc?

[DingoGirl]

thanks for those suggestions.....I am seeing my GI next week and I'll talk to him more in depth then. My ferritin level is just under 3, I guess that's pretty low? Oh, the good news is, they were very understanding at work yesterday when I told them, and I'll be working in the office for a while - much less strenuous.

I haven't gone gluten-free with makeup and products yet....still overwhelmed wtih trying to deal wtih food! But, is there any makeup line that is gluten-free? What about foundation? Lipstick? I think I heard Neutrogena lipsticks were safe, but I couldn't find a suitable color. Thermasilk hair products also....

[jenvan]

Good for you to tell work what's going on...glad they are switching you around for a bit. Yes, it can take time to switch all your non gluten-free foods and products out...so be patient with yourself. Do searches here on the board and thru past threads to see about gluten-free products/tolietries, makeup etc. I decided to switch to all natural products, as well as gluten-free. (I can send you that list if you like). But there are lots of folks here who use the mainstream products and can help you find them. All crest toothpastes are gluten-free The makeup I use now is Bare Escentuals. I order it from sephora.com. All their makeup (but not skincare line) are gluten-free--lipsticks, shadows, concealers etc.

[Pame]

thanks for those suggestions.....I am seeing my GI next week and I'll talk to him more in depth then. My ferritin level is just under 3, I guess that's pretty low? Oh, the good news is, they were very understanding at work yesterday when I told them, and I'll be working in the office for a while - much less strenuous.

I haven't gone gluten-free with makeup and products yet....still overwhelmed wtih trying to deal wtih food! But, is there any makeup line that is gluten-free? What about foundation? Lipstick? I think I heard Neutrogena lipsticks were safe, but I couldn't find a suitable color. Thermasilk hair products also....

I found afterglow makeup is gluten free and I love it. Also Givani shampoos are gluten free, maybe spelled that wrong. Still looking for a

good gluten free, msg free iron supplement for me

Glad your job was so understanding, must be a good place to work

[SaraKat]

Last time I got tested my Ferritin was 4, but my iron was in the normal range (low side though). I still don't really understand how that is possible! Anyway, I take 65mg of Feosol per day and that is gluten-free. I need to get my iron tested again next week- I've been on the iron pills for a while.

I was never really tired at all though. If it weren't for the blood test I would have never guessed I was anemic.

[compucajun]

I'm new here....just diagnosed last week. I am severely anemic and my doctor has presribed 325 mg. of iron twice a day. What I purchased last week has maltodextrin. Do any of you know of any iron supplements that contain amounts that high (the pharmacist said it would be ferrous sulfate, and that dose would provide 65 mg. of elemental iron) that do not contain gluten? I've been four places and can't find it, and I"m SO tired.

Also, I am wondering if it really takes months to feel better. My job (just started there a month ago) is kind of in jeopardy as I'm so tired I can't really think. I have to tell them what's going on, but since I work in a rock climbing gym, and pain and weakness are not familiar concepts to them, I don't think they'll really understand. Climbing is not even possible for me at this point as I get out of breath from the simplest things, like changing the sheets!! I"ve gotten much sicker since I accepted the job two months ago....

iron has gone about five points lower since then and I've lost about five more pounds...am emaciated and weak!

Thanks everyone!

Susan

Sorry about your diagnosis, but I have found in the long run it is really a GREAT thing knowing what is wrong, and how to make yourself "feel better". Living gluten-free is not really easy, but once I went gluten-free I felt SO much better! I also was also severely iron-deficient - to the point I was having heart palpitations. Turns out, being severely anemic can cause heart palpitations. My GI doctor told me to use Ferrous sulfate. After about 6 months, I am only slightly anemic.

Check out www.glutenfreedrugs.com to see which OTC drugs are gluten-free.

Also, since I had malabsorption, I have osteopenia. Please get a dexascan to make sure your bones are healthy!

[Jacapo]

I'm new here....just diagnosed last week. I am severely anemic and my doctor has presribed 325 mg. of iron twice a day. What I purchased last week has maltodextrin. Do any of you know of any iron supplements that contain amounts that high (the pharmacist said it would be ferrous sulfate, and that dose would provide 65 mg. of elemental iron) that do not contain gluten? I've been four places and can't find it, and I"m SO tired.

Also, I am wondering if it really takes months to feel better. My job (just started there a month ago) is kind of in jeopardy as I'm so tired I can't really think. I have to tell them what's going on, but since I work in a rock climbing gym, and pain and weakness are not familiar concepts to them, I don't think they'll really understand. Climbing is not even possible for me at this point as I get out of breath from the simplest things, like changing the sheets!! I"ve gotten much sicker since I accepted the job two months ago....

iron has gone about five points lower since then and I've lost about five more pounds...am emaciated and weak!

Thanks everyone!

Susan

My doctor recommend a gluten free iron supplement called Ferretts (106 mg elemental iron) which i have been taking for a few months now and it is the best one that i have found.  My iron levels are going back up and i don't have the typical side effects of taking iron. From my experience and from what my doctor told me ferrous sulfate is very hard on the stomach.  The thing l like about Ferretts is that it is available in a small tablet, liquid and a chewable tablet which are all gluten free. I prefer the oral tablet but I have friends who prefer the liquid.  we get them online at www.pharmics.com  

[hopefull799]

I'm using natures plus hems-plus. It has added vitamins & is gluten free.