Iron Defficiency

Iron supplements will extremely help your energy level. Also try to put iron rich foods into your diet (spinach, beef, eggs, beans, etc) as well as the supplements. I have iron deficiency anemia and can tell a huge difference between taking them and not taking them. My aunt's iron was so low (tired all the time, absolutely no energy, ashen skin, depressed) and she had an iron transfusion which made her feel 10 years younger. Honestly the iron supplements should help your weight loss because you won't be dependent on sodas, energy drinks, and you will be able to exercise more. Make sure to give your body time to adjust as well. Good luck!

Last year my mum suffered greatly with severe anaemia, her doctor had never seen levels so low (she had a benign tumour in her uterus wreaking all sorts of havoc), and one thing I took from it all is that restoring iron levels isn't a fast process - even when you get an infusion (mum got 5 little vials at once) you still need time. She was told you pretty much need to wait for new red blood cells to be created for you to be all back to normal. They have a lifespan of about 3 months I think.

Now I'm not sure about the mechanics of it all and how it might differ with severity, or your reasons for the anaemia. Mum was on the verge of passing out just from the exertion it took to stand in the shower for 5 minutes. Hopefully just digesting more iron through food or supplements will work quickly for you! But one thing I remember re: supplements is swallowing handfuls of pills is NOT going to work. It's not a case of taking more = more iron in the blood (same goes for high-dose pills) because it is difficult to digest and your body only digests and absorbs so much at a time. And the pills can make some people feel sick. I took them when I was younger and if I didn't have a full stomach I vomited them back almost immediately. Some people get constipation or diarrhoea as well.

A friend of mine actually put my mum onto this iron supplement that comes as a solution you drink, just tastes like metallic water but you can add it to things to make it easier to drink. She said she got no side effects compared to when she took pills, and apparently it is a lot easier for the body to digest. I can't for the life of me think of what it was called! But you should be able to find it in pharmacies, or places you buy health food and supplements. If you're interested. Or maybe increasing iron-rich foods is easier, lol.

Good luck!

Not a doctor but I've been there, to the point of blood transfusions in the ICU and large bags of iron via IV, and it's no fun at all.

Get the supplements that say Ferrous Iron because that absorbs best (not ferric iron). You might even find some that say non-irritating but check the mg dosage. You need about 45mg a day regularly, but be careful as too much iron is dangerous too. Iron supplements may bother your stomach but there are other options to increase your iron intake and how much of the iron you take in is absorbed by your body.

Cooking with cast iron is a savor for me now as that, at wacky as it sounds, does help. Also, not all iron is created equal. For food, there are two types of iron in food. In meat, your body will absorb about 30% of the iron in the food because it's heme iron, which is way better than veggie/cereal iron. In a three ounce steak, there's about 3mg. In veggies (spinach is good, broccoli, fortified cereals, beans), that is non-heme iron meaning only like 2-10% will be absorbed. Taking or eating iron with dairy products will decrease how much is absorbed however taking iron with vitamin C will help with the absorption.

To get to your actual question, there should be no effect on your weight loss, unless you count how much more Zumba you can now enjoy with your increased energy levels.

I have been anemic pretty much my whole life. I was taking an OTC iron supplement, but it didn't make a difference in my iron level. Now I am on a prescription supplement. I have never felt tired or any of the classic anemic symptoms. The only way I could tell is that I bruise very easily. My new doctor (for the last three years) has been checking my iron every year now.

I don't take mine with food, but I do try to eat within the hour. I still get a little constipated sometimes. No other symptoms. I've found that eating an orange with it helps a lot. Plus, I read that citrus helps your body absorb the iron better. Not sure if that's true.

It hasn't affected me losing weight at all. If anything it should help because your muscles will have better access to oxygen in the blood, aka more energy. But as I said, my energy level has been the same with or without the iron.

I had low levels of iron for a long time. Partly due to heavy periods and years of eating little or no red meat. I've never taken iron supplements, but I did make significant changes to my lifestyle in order to increase my iron levels. I went on birth control pills both for their intended purpose and to make my periods lighter (and they are much lighter now!). I started eating red meat on a regular basis, as well as iron-fortified oatmeal or cereal every day.

One of the BEST food sources of iron (which is rarely even mentioned) is shellfish, especially mussels and clams. They have more iron per ounce than beef! The best vegetarian source of iron is pumpkin seeds. I used to grind pumpkin seeds in the food processor and use it instead of peanut butter. YUM! Or just eat them as is.

Taking iron supplements can be hard on your stomach. I do believe you need to take them with a large meal. But they will gradually increase your energy levels and consequently will help you in your weight loss efforts!