Can someone recommend a good iron supplement? I know the doctors don't usually write prescriptions for them. I'm not sure which one to take? I was recently diagnosed with anemia and my doctor suggested a slow or extended release one at first. I am still feeling tired and sluggish after a couple of days. Also, are the iron supplements more effective with orange juice and/or vitamin C? I heard they were. Thanks.

Vitamin C helps to absorb iron, so I always take mine with a glass of orange juice instead of water. Also, take it on an empty stomach, this also helps absorbtion.

I take SLOW FE, slow release Iron. I personally haven't noticed much of a difference in my energy, I don't how long it takes to begin working. An maybe it's also cuz I need more foilic acid, I heard that and iron goes hand in hand...I think. lol So I bought some Foilic acid today too.

I've been anemic for the past year and Em is right,take the iron on an empty stomach if you can and have some OJ with it for the Vitamin C. This helps promote absorption of the iron. Also,don't take it with milk or any type of caffeine like coffee or tea. Milk and caffeine will inhibit the absorption. Slo-Fe is a good supplement. I had a bad time with them all because I have acid reflux and they were all making me nauseous. My doctor recommended Ferrous Gluconate because it's alot easier on the stomach. I take it every morning with Folic Acid. It definitely takes a looong time for the anemia to get better. My doctor told me sometimes it can take as long as a year before it will correct with the supplements.I'm still anemic and now have to have tests to rule out other other types of anemia and absorption problems. I know a girl who had anemia and she never got better with the oral supplements and had to go on Procrit shots to get better. Best of luck! :)

i use Slow Fe, too.
I like it.

I don't take the slo FE but it seems like people who are on a timed release iron supplement usually take that one. I take Ferrous Sulfate and don't have any problems with it.

Although it can take a long time to correct iron deficiency, it shouldn't take that long to start feeling better. You should be feeling less tired very soon. If you don't, then call your doctor and ask if you can increase your iron dosage. How much does he have you on anyway? I started out at 16mg and it didn't work. Had to keep increasing it until I started feeling better. Now I take three 65mg tablets daily (195mg total). I feel normal again. Thank God.

I took ferrograd as my iron was deficient and my hair was falling out. It took 2 months for my hair to stop falling and now 4 months later my iron count is much better.

Cinderella,
I remember reading some of your other posts about this. I'm so glad to hear that the hair loss has stopped. Hope you're feeling better all around.

Thanks for the info.

Fatima

thanks cookiepls, Im glad my hair has stopped falling out, now waiting for regrowth, not a lot happening there. Since my iron level went up my b12 came down so am feeling tired from that!!! grrrrrrrrrrr :confused:

my ferritin level was 2 last year with a high binding..

I started taking ferrous sulfate 325mg 2x daily and got it up to 17 in 6 months.. it has since dropped to 4 (because I cut back on my supplementation) and Im working on raising it again.

my iron supplements were an Rx.. both my doctor and oncologist were able to write them.

about hair regrowth:: you may want to ask your doctor about biotin

HTH