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Recommended iron supplement

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/10/2015 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Got some bloodwork done and it showed that I'm starting to get anemic. I need to start an iron supplement (65mg iron / 325mg ferrous sulfate) twice a day.

I'm concerned about constipation since iron can cause that. Does anyone know of a good, gentle brand?
Posted 3/10/2015 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I used to use this brand:

www.gentleiron.com/iron_supplements

Also, take vitamin C with the iron supplement. It helps with the absorption.
Posted 3/10/2015 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't recommend iron outside of iron rich foods like liver, spinach, eggs or oatmeal, but rather something called lactoferrin that helps with the absorption of iron. It is found in raw milk, kefir, colostrum or whey protein. You can also supplement with it (jarrows or life extension sells it on amazon).

Best.
Posted 3/10/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Many UC people cannot tolerate iron pills.
I would recommend to go with iron infusion as it bypass the gut and helps to recover faster.
Posted 3/11/2015 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the g man - if your diet doesn't include a lot of iron rich foods, that's where I would start -
Posted 3/11/2015 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, guys. I'm hoping I can tolerate the pills because it's already hard enough trying to stay on such a restrictive diet.
Posted 3/11/2015 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
If you find you cannot tolerate the pills or they just don't work (which is what I deal with) then iron infusions help tremendously. I have to do them periodically and they work great. I couldt eat much of anything when I flared so eating enough iron rich foods was just not possible.
Posted 3/11/2015 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I use ferrous gluconate (that seems to only come in 300mg). I take it with the rest of my meds in the morning after breakfast. It does darken my stool a bit, but I have no discomfort. My iron levels have raised a bit, but I also consume a bit more foods with iron as well.

Spinach, while a source of iron, seems to be poorly absorbed as I've read. I do have an egg in the morning too but not much red meat it seems.

Have you had your B12 checked as well?

q
Posted 3/11/2015 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Take any brand that contains Ferrochel (I use NOW brand, cheapest I could find). Its lot gentler than any other iron supplements. Do note Guardian's suggestions, Vit C and Lactoferrin.
Posted 3/16/2015 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys! I was able to find one labeled "gentle" at Walgreens that comes with vitamin C. Mid-range price.
Posted 3/16/2015 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I take Hemaplex...

https://naturesplus.com/products/productdetail.php?productNumber=3769&criteria=keywordSearchResults
Posted 3/16/2015 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, I'll take a look!
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