OMG How long does it take

Im so tired of being tired!!! How long does it take to get your iron levels back up? My iron was last tested at 7.3 and I don't feel any better since being on iron pills for a month now. I just switched to feramax maybe next month I will have more energy????

I've been struggling with iron too, although my energy has been OK fortunately.  My only comment is with respect to the "how long" issue. 

I've been trying to get back up to "10" for nine months and am now seeing a specialist.  While  we (the NUT and my family doctor) originally increased my iron intake very slowly over months, the specialist doubled it last week from 450mg to 900mg in 1 step, and said to check it in a month rather than every 3 months.  Everyone is different and you need to follow professional advice (obviously), but in my case - at least - "slow but sure" probably wasn't as effective as being more aggressive up front.   

Also, if your supplement timetable can manage it, see if you can break up your iron into smaller doses, taken several times per day; but, it needs to be away from your calcium.  I'm now taking it at 10:00PM and at 2:00AM.  (It helps to have an old bladder that gets me up anyway, LOL)

Claire

Claire thanks so much. I think Im going to see my family doctor to help get my iron up. Is don't want to wait 3 months to get it checked again. I hope your iron goes up soon too

my iron levels have been low (lower than yours) since surgery 3 years ago..LUCKILy I don’t suffer from fatigue....for some people it just takes time..in the meantime, you could always add (1) more iron supplement to your diet...but you might want to check with your GP first. I get my blood work done on a bi-monthly basis and my GP did mention iron infusion 2 years ago, but nothing since...maybe it’s because I don;t have any symptoms (associated) with low iron.   Good luck to you..hope that your iron levels pick up and you feel much less fatigue.

Thanks Mary!