Daily Iron Supplements

I just had my blood work completed on Wednesday and all my levels are great but I have a friend that had RNY about 2 years ago and she needs to start taking an iron supplement.  I think I remember reading on here that there are some supplements that are absorbed better than others after RNY.  I tried using the search function but couldn't find anything from the Ontario board and I really don't trust the main board.

If you are taking an iron supplement daily I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,  Muriel

Hi Muriel,

With the fabulous, educated advice from OKNEE here on the forum, I have started taking FeraMAX.  It is very easily absorbed and commonly used for people with malabsorptive problems (like RNY).  I am very hopeful that this will work well for me! 

Here is Oknee's blog entry about iron.  Worth a read.  I don'thave RNY or iron issues but I do have good OH search engine skills. 

www.obesityhelp.com/member/oknee/blog_page,2/

 Hi Muriel,

Feramax for me too (one pill  day). I was using Proferrin but it was not working as my levels kept going down even as I was taking it.  Hopefully my next test results will be better.

ps the clinic recommended that I take the worst absorbed type (ferrous sulphates...go figure?) which just goes to prove "do your own research" and thanks to OKNEE our very own specialist in bloodwork.

Thanks ladies for the responses....I sent my girlfriend OKnee's blog information.

I have had iron deficiencies since my surgery and am currently on my 3rd brand/type of iron Ferrotin...I take 4 capsules a day..but still am well below the the "acceptable" range...I get my bloodwork done every 2 months.  My GP did mention infusion 2 years ago..but hasn't mentioned anythig after that.

Luckily I have none of the symptoms:

Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following:

• Easy fatigue and loss of energy
• Unusually rapid heart beat, particularly with exercise
• Shortness of breath and headache, particularly with exercise
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Pale skin
• Leg cramps
• Insomnia
  
  
  Some people have taken liquid iron..I have never so I can't speak to that.
  
   

Proferrin is heme iron, made from red meat source ( so not for vegans)....has no side effects, and can be taken with or without food, and with any meds, no restrictions as all natural not mineral sourced... can highly recommend it, as Ferritin bunged me up as did other tyoes of iron supplements...I take 3 Proferrin a day anytime, feel fine and it works for me and for many others too, despite being more expensive and many health insurance programs won't cover it as a result even if you get a prescription for it ( they prefer you to take cheaper sources of iron)...

Is Proferrin available at the pharmacist's counter without a prescription? 

Yes, it is non prescription and likely behind the counter.