IRON

RNY six years ago at age 52... Recent lab work shows my iron level plummeted to 10 (normal range 10-200). Insurance will not cover an iron infusion until medical records show an an oral attempt first. While I wait to hear from the medical office, please provide input to the following questions: 1) a Vitron-C iron tablet = 65 mg. If instructed to take 325 mg per day, do I take all five Vitron-C tablets at one time? If not, how to split up dosage? 2) How many weeks of taking 325 mg of iron per day before retesting lab work and how many days before new lab work do I stop taking an iron supplement? 3) How much of a increase in iron level would be considered successful? 4) If considered successful, what daily dosage would I switch to for maintenance? 5) What iron level would be considered an unsuccessful attempt? 6) A daily capful of Miralax helps combat constipation associated with high iron doses. Might loose stools inhibit proper iron absorption?

There is the size of the individual tablet (or capsule, etc), and the amount of elemental iron it contains.

The usual tablet of most ferrous sulfate brands are 325 mg of ferrous sulfate. BUT, that 325 mg contains only 65 mg of elemental iron.

In contrast, a 25 mg tablet of carbonyl iron contains 25 mg of elemental iron.

You should check with your doc and make sure you are both on the same page. 325 mg of elemental iron per day is an awful lot.

Vitron-C has vitamin c in it, which helps iron absorption. But it doesn't have much. You want at least 200 mg of vitamin c for every 30 mg of elemental iron.

Avoid anything with calcium in it, as well as tea, coffee, and soy products within two hours of taking iron. They all block iron absorotion.

Heme iron is best absorbed, followed by carbonyl iron. They are noth easy on the stomach, and dont constipate. Anything with "ferrous" as an ingreduent us less well absorbed, will constipate, and can cause stomach upset.

Thyroid medication can also impair iron absorption so take that medicine (if applicable) 4 hours before or after iron. I take Proferrin heme iron, which causes less GI distress and is more absorbable, but is also more expensive. I think it is worth it. Good luck.

Same here. I've been on proferrin for years.

Thanks to Grim, I did question and was corrected re proper daily dosage. I will be taking two tablets of Vitron-C per day for two months before another lab check. We also discussed the possibility of switching to heme iron, as well. Appreciation to everyone for help in uncharted territory.