Iron Supplements, how much is too much?

xLyric

When I track iron it says I'm getting 40-50 a day out of 100. I used to take an iron supplement but I don't remember how much it was. I know I'm low on iron; they often won't let me give blood because I'm low, I'm exhausted after long nights of sleep, and double that the week of/before my period. I went to get an iron supplement today and they had a lot of options, but the pharmacist said (after I told him about being frequently low) to get the 65mg bottle and take one a day. Then I saw something that said to not take more than 45? I'm confused about how much is too much and my mother is trying to scare me and I guess it's working! The pharmacist said it would take 3 tablets a day of 65 to get any overdose symptoms. Is this true? Anything I need to know?

Lynn_babcock

You can check your daily report on iron on MFP. Generally I'm 50% short on iron and 30% short on calcium. My iron supplement pill is 27mg and says it is 100% of daily value. I take one every few days so I average 100% over the week. Just depends on my other foods.. if they bring me closer to my goal then I don't take a pill.

erodriquez

I'm supposed to take two iron pills a day. If I am eating more meat I def feel a lot better. I don't like to have to take pills if I can avoid it. go to your doctor, they can test your levels...

Docmahi

typically when we give iron it is in 300ish mg increments with meals - it varies based on how deficient a person is and if they are losing iron (chronic ulcers/periods etc.)

If your doctor tells you that you are iron deficient then discuss with them about what supplements you should take, these forums dont generally give the most reliable info. If you do start to self supplement Iron from a vitamin shop just be aware that it can cause constipation and darkening of stools. You shouldn't worry about overdosing with those dosages if you are taking 40/65 mg pills