Low iron

I have anemia so I take iron supplements everyday. I just take it with anything that has caffeine.

Iron can be pretty hard on your stomache too, and they cause constipation so watch out for that. Liquid iron isn't quite as harsh, but it's not nice either. I've never heard of the iron/caffiene thing.

Just be sure to not have caffeine when you take your supplements, as it inhibits iron absorption too. Other than that, I've never had a problem with taking iron supplements when my diet isn't giving me enough. I haven't had to take zinc though, but your idea of taking it after sounds good to me.

I've been taking a small dose iron supplements, loads of tea and coffee, and received yet another clean bill of health from my GP around December. Caffeine isn't that ill fitting for my body or many others. Just take small amounts of your vitamins until your stomach is used to it otherwise you could end up with some discomfort. Better yet, fill your diet with more iron-rich foods. Your decision.

If you intake a lot of iron (nonheme or otherwise) and your levels are still low, then you might have an absorption issue. Vitamin A levels okay? Vit A is necessary to extract the stored Iron. Or if you have a chronic gastrointestinal problem-that could interfere with absorption, too. Of course, iron supplements can also cause gastrointestinal problems as well.

As already mentioned, make sure you take Vitamin C when you are getting your non-heme sources of iron and in addition to avoiding caffeine, avoid calcium when you're eating non-heme rich foods.

I've never taken supplements, but I have found that concentrating on my iron levels and doing the above, my iron levels are now better as a vegetarian.

Have you tried the Wellesse Liquid Mineral Supplement Iron? It's had extremely good reviews and gluten and sugar free so should be gentle on your stomach? I may try it myself once I've run out of my Spatone sachets!

http://www.amazon.com/WELLESSE-Liquid-Mineral-Supplement-Ounce/dp/B006LTCAU2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I took iron for quite a while due to iron deficiency anemia. Make sure that you drink plenty of water and get enough fiber as iron supplements can cause constipation. Also probably a good idea to have some gentle stool softeners on hand in case you need them. Some other vitamins and minterals can inhibit iron absoroption, so I made it a practice to take my iron in the morning and my multivitamin in the evening in order to avoid any conflict. On the other hand, vitamin C can actually boost absorption, so I was taking an extra vitamin C tablet or drinking orange juice in the morning with my iron. Iron will also turn your poo funny colors as your body will not be able to absorb the entire supplement when you take it and the extra iron has to go somewhere.

If possible, I would suggest really working at increasing natural source of iron so that once you have built your stores back up you can get off the supplements. Dark leafy greens, beans, lentils, and artichokes are a great place to start although I'm not sure what all you normally eat as a vegan. Try to eat some citrus with your high iron foods in order to help more iron get absorbed.

I take iron supplements 3 days a week. If I take it everyday I get constipated. That is the only drawback that sucks on taking them for me.

I have the opposite problem, I have a disease called haemochromatosis which is an abnormality in my genes causing my body to hoard iron and I have to have my blood let every so often. It's actually incredibly common, 1 in ever 200 - 300 people has it, but most people don't know and if left untreated it will kill you once you get older because the excess iron deposits itself around your organs and slowly eats away at them.

So because of that, I ALWAYS caution people who are taking iron supplements. Even if your doctor has told you to, a lot of the time the amount of iron in an iron supplement is more than your daily requirement. So if you're taking a supplement, then also taking vitamin c, and on top of that, if you're eating things like spinach, a lot of citrus fruits, beets, red meat, it can greatly affect your iron levels in a negative way if you do it for a while.

So I know OP said she had a blood test, but for everyone else who THINKS that they have low iron and haven't seen a doctor to check, please please please actually go get the test done because doctors do not test for it unless you give them a reason to. And you also have to keep in mind that anemia and haemochromatosis have exactly the same symptoms (although haemo has a few more).

Seem to remember that taking calcium and iron at the same time will interfere with the absorption of one of them? I occasionally take a tablet of NatureMade elemental iron 65mg, which the label also says is equivalent to 325mg of Ferrous Sulfate. Its recommended dosage is one tablet per day but also states that is 361% of Daily Value. I guess that reflects what you have been saying about absorption being incomplete.
The label also says "Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the United States, particularly among women of childbearing age." no doubt due in part to monthly blood loss
Be well!

I'm also anemic - just being a woman, over 50 and having ridiculously heavy periods. I find that it 's easier on my stomach and bowels if I take a lower dose 3 times a day, rather than the one big dose and I don't sweat it if I miss it sometimes. Remember that you do not absorb the full pill dose, and the absorption rate varies with the type of iron you are taking. I try not to drink tea or food with it - vitamin C is a good way to help your body get the full benefit).

I tried Floradix liquid, but couldn't stand the taste - to me it tasted like blood soaked marigolds! LOL.

There's no way you can beat real anemia without a supplement, but I agree that you must be tested before taking iron, to make sure you really need it.

I've was diagnosed as having low iron levels and have been taking iron supplements for almost a year. I definitely feel much better than I did before. I take mine with vitimin c and try to avoid having with caffiene. Make sure you eat plenty of fibre because they can cause consitpation. Also you're supposed to take them on an empty stomach but if I do that it makes me very nauseous (just something to keep in mind).