Iron recommendations needed

kthies04
on 1/31/11 10:40 pm - St. Charles, MO
Looking for some input,

I started taking 1 Iron every night before bed, it really made me backed up to the point of being painful.  I don't have a deficiency now but did in the past.  I had to do Iron Infusions.  I just want to make sure things stay in a good range.  I was taking the Ferrous Sulfate.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a better iron or something that may help make things bearable?  I did take 2 doses of Benefiber a couple of times.


Thanks,
Kelly
  
Kaitlin N.
on 1/31/11 10:54 pm - Dallas, TX
Not only is ferrous sulfate very constipating, but it's not the best supplement for RNY patients, because of our decreased stomach acid production. Ferrous salts, like ferrous sulfate, require a high concentration of stomach acid to digest because they must be transformed to a form that can be used by your body. The salts will not dissolve as well in an achlorhydric environment, and the iron contained in a ferrous sulfate supplement will not be available to your body. According to the Iron Disorders Institute, an individual with an achlorhydric digestive system (such as an RNY gastric bypass patient) "will derive no benefit from the iron supplement" if it is a ferrous salt.

Carbonyl iron is preferred over ferrous sulfate. It's easier on the digestive system (most people don't report constipation problems). Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate both offer carbonyl iron supplements. Vitalady also uses carbonyl iron for her Tender Iron products. You should take vitamin C with iron to aid absorption (200 mg of vitamin per 30 mg of elemental iron).
--Kaitlin                       Start - 285 / Surgery - 267 / Current - 177 / Goal - 170
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M M
on 1/31/11 11:05 pm
 ..and that's why she's paid the big bucks.
Kaitlin N.
on 1/31/11 11:13 pm - Dallas, TX
Gah. People will believe you.
--Kaitlin                       Start - 285 / Surgery - 267 / Current - 177 / Goal - 170
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Batwingsman
on 2/1/11 5:55 am, edited 2/1/11 5:56 am - Garland, TX
 Carbonyl iron is best for WLSers, as Kaitlin pointed out ..    You can get one version fairly inexpensively at Wal-Mart under the name Feosol (hard tablets) ..   Vitalady also sells her own excellent "Tender Iron" formulation on her co.'s website  ..   It is in capsule form and already has Vit. C. added in it to help increase absorbability even more ..   

Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "

HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )

Frank_B
on 2/1/11 6:11 am - Woodbridge, NJ
I take the following item:  BIFERA (You don't need to take Vit C with this)
i get mine from Facevalues.com


the following is from the Bifera web page and not written by me.




  • What is Bifera?

    Bifera is the only over-the-counter (OTC) iron supplement to offer both heme iron (protein-based iron) and non-heme iron (plant-based iron). Unlike other iron supplements, Bifera provides two types of iron in one small, easy-to-swallow pill for maximum absorption with virtually no GI side effects.

    For years, the popular prescription prenatal supplement PreferaOB has provided the nutritional community with an oral iron combination that offers both heme and non-heme iron in one small pill with virtually no side effects. Now, for the first time, this innovation in an iron supplement will be available over-the-counter in the same form, without the prenatal folic acid, in an iron supplement known as Bifera.

  • How Bifera Works

    Here is how Bifera works compared to other iron supplements:
     

     

    How Bifera Works

     

    Maximum iron absorption is only possible when two different forms of iron - heme and non-heme iron are taken together. The illustration above shows how these two types of iron stimulate different mechanisms in the small intestine, enabling maximum absorption and, as a result, restored energy. Unlike any other iron supplement available over the counter, Bifera provides both heme and non-heme iron in a single, small pill.

     

  • Bifera Product Information

    Directions: One tablet daily, with or without food, or as directed by a physician. Children under 12 years old should consult with a physician.

    Supplement Facts



    Other Ingredients:
    Microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, magnesium glycol, talc, FD&C yellow no. 6 aluminum lake, titanium dioxide, FD&C red no. 40 aluminum lake.


    Heme is a natural form of iron derived from animal sources.

  • Why should I choose the iron supplement Bifera?

    Bifera is the new, innovative dual iron supplement now on the market.  Unlike other over-the-counter iron supplement that only include non-heme iron, Bifera includes heme iron and non-heme iron similar to the same types of iron found in a steak and potato.  Bifera provides two forms of iron for people who need the energy and nutritional benefits provided by both heme iron and non-heme iron. Bifera is small and easy-to-swallow. Bifera offers the potential for greater iron absorption1 without the unwanted side effects2 of other iron supplements, like nausea and constipation.

  • What is Heme Iron Polypeptide (HIP)?

    Unlike all other over-the-counter iron supplements that only include non-heme iron, Bifera includes heme iron, the natural carrier of iron found in red meat. Recent studies show the heme iron found in Bifera offers 25 times greater absorption than other iron supplements. Due to its highly-efficient absorption, heme iron is generally free of the side-effects, including stomach irritation and constipation, commonly found with conventional iron supplement products.  As a result, the iron supplement Bifera can be taken with or without food and does not need to be taken with Vitamin C.

     

  • Safety Information

    Directions: One tablet daily, with or without food, or as directed by a physician. Children under 12 years old should consult with a physician.

     

    WARNING: Accidental overdosage of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

TamaraL
on 2/1/11 10:40 am
How much is it for a month supply???



 

Frank_B
on 2/1/11 10:47 am - Woodbridge, NJ
it is one tablet a day  a bottle of 30 from that web site is 17.99
rbb825
on 2/2/11 7:01 pm - Suffern, NY
I would stick to the carbonyl iron to start,.  It is much cheaper and  for most works great.  Yes, heme iron is a great source of iron but Bifera has very little in it and the poly iron in it is also a tiny dose.  Most people that take Heme iron take Proferrin which is only available on the internet or some can get it via prescription but it isn't covered by insurance.  It has twice the Heme iron and about 12 times the poly iron.  It is also very expensive.

The tender irons from vitalady.com are 60mg capsules and they have the vitamin C already in the capsule.  From what I remember (it has been many months since I have bought any) - it is about $35.00 for a bottle of 400, which depending on how many you take can last anywhere from 3-6 months.  I find that quite reasonable. It is very easy on your stomach, non-constipating and highly absorbable.

 

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