Iron and vitamin B12 deficiency

[barb02]

I don't have the test results yet. They just called me on the phone. I imagine I will get the lab results in the mail in a few days. I will look for methyl B12 when I go pick up the iron. The bottle I have just says B-12. I have been on prilosec and now nexium for many years. I have tried to get off of them but I experience constant nausea without taking the meds.

[mrsD]

Methyl type is not common in stores yet. Yours is probably cyano form. I hope it is not "timed release" because that form is useless. It is not absorbed well from a tablet that does not release it all at once. This is because passive absorption is
dependent on concentration. That whole idea is rather absurd.
Most online places have methylcobalamin very commonly now.
Puritan's Pride, iherb.com, Swanson's, etc etc.

So please read your label.

[EddieF]

I take my 1000mcg B12 with "soon as I get up" meds.
1000mcg B12, 2000iu D, 40mg Baclofen, 200mg Ibuprofen, 2mg Prazosin.
16oz of 1 or 2% milk's what I wash it down with for past few yrs. My B level's a tad above high, D is 85.

Edit- I take B100 with "after lunch" meds so maybe that's why it bother stomach.

[barb02]

Picked up the prescription for iron -- ferrous sulfate 325 mg -- one per day. I am confused because the directions say to take it on an empty stomach before or 2-3 hours after a meal with 8 ounces of water. It also says if this upsets your stomach take with crackers, bread, or small meal. I told the pharmacist I was concerned about getting sick and she suggested that I take it with a meal and if it does not bother me then to try it the next time an hour before eating. she said that my dose was a relatively low one and that some people have to take it three times per day.

I think I will wait until tomorrow to start. I am going to a movie and out to dinner later and do not want to get sick.

[mrsD]

The elemental amount of iron in 325mg ferrous sulfate is
about 60mg. When reading labels, on OTC iron, the elemental is always listed. This is for poison control.

Most minerals have an elemental value, and a total weight value.
Here is a good monograph with detailed explanations.
Basically not all the iron in a tablet taken by mouth will be absorbed. This is true for almost all minerals. Calcium for example without D is only 20-25% absorbed per pill.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iro...hProfessional/

Very few people can tolerate iron on an empty stomach. Iron is best absorbed with ACID also...and the stomach secretes MORE acid with food present than on empty.

Originally Posted by barb02

Picked up the prescription for iron -- ferrous sulfate 325 mg -- one per day. I am confused because the directions say to take it on an empty stomach before or 2-3 hours after a meal with 8 ounces of water. It also says if this upsets your stomach take with crackers, bread, or small meal. I told the pharmacist I was concerned about getting sick and she suggested that I take it with a meal and if it does not bother me then to try it the next time an hour before eating. she said that my dose was a relatively low one and that some people have to take it three times per day.

I think I will wait until tomorrow to start. I am going to a movie and out to dinner later and do not want to get sick.

[EddieF]

Heme & nonheme iron was a good lesson learned from article mrsD posted link to above. Thank you.

[barb02]

Took the iron supplement with lunch yesterday. Became very nauseated last night with stomach cramps. Nausea and cramps continuing this morning. Taking a sick day; called and left a message for my doctor.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by barb02

Took the iron supplement with lunch yesterday. Became very nauseated last night with stomach cramps. Nausea and cramps continuing this morning. Taking a sick day; called and left a message for my doctor.

Iron supplements can be bad for you..... Try eating more Iron rich foods.. I love Pate de foie gras (goose liver and the highest in iron)

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/ar...es-of-iron.php

[mrsD]

Ferronyl iron is sometimes easier on the stomach.

Here is one example:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...AID=1146754258

This is OTC, no rx needed.

this type also is easier on the stomach:
http://www.drugstore.com/bifera-iron...lets/qxp221306

also called Ferrex-150
http://www.amazon.com/FERREX-150-CAP.../dp/B000GG15UM

[barb02]

I could not handle the first iron pills I was prescribed so then I tried to increase levels through diet for two months. That did not work. So I started taking slow release iron. My doctor told me to take it two hours before or three hours after eating, but the directions on the box said take it with a meal. I tried it once on an empty stomach and ended up with horrible nausea. So then I started taking it at lunch time. Pharmacist told me that most people could not tolerate taking it without food. I experienced some nausea and constipation but I could handle it.

That is, I could handle it unitl a few days ago. On Sunday evening I expereinced a nasty irriitable bowel attack and ended up in the bathroom for two hours with constant spasms/ pain and vomiting. So I skipped the med on Monday and took it again yesterday. This moening I woke up to some mild nausea and ate some toast. Now I am miserable again. Called the doctor. I just cannot take iron orally.