how bloody long does this take?!

**Leeee** · 13-06-2010 13:28

okay so i know i'm iron deficient. that's not the issue. the issue is that i'm taking iron tablets, they're getting absorbed and it's not getting any better. i still need something like 12 hours of sleep a night, have horrible brain fog and absolutely no energy. it is having very bad, very obvious effects on my performance at work and has been for a long time.
i don't want to go back to a doctor, all they'll do is run another blood test and come back with "you're iron deficient" and i already freaking know that.
so how long do i have to wait before this starts getting better? i want to be able to get up early without having to drag myself around with my eyes shut and be able to do my job without making stupid mistakes and at the speed i used to be able to do it, the speed that got me the reputation i have now. you know?

**Blairysmum** · 13-06-2010 13:34

What iron tablets are you using I tried a few as I was birthing through a birth center and they don't let you if your iron deficient so I really needed to get on top of it I ate spinh with every meal!!

**Tam-I-Am** · 13-06-2010 13:41

You know iron from iron tablets is notoriously hard to absorb, right? And damned near impossible if you're not taking a source of vitamin c with it?

I'd be looking into rich food sources to use in conjunction with your supplements, be making sure you're getting PLENTY of vitamin C as well, and getting your levels checked again in a month. It's possible that the low iron levels are only partially responsible. What you're describing can also be caused by any number of other things (ie poor thyroid function, a virus, any number of other vitamin/mineral deficiencies etc).

ETA: Oh! And I would also be talking to the healthfood shop about a more bioavailable form of supplementation (ie Floradix or similar).

**sam's mum** · 13-06-2010 13:41

you really need to get the bloods repeated so that they can see if your iron count is going up. There is no point taking the tablets if you aren't actually absorbing the iron.

Spinach, liver and other iron rich food may help, drink orange juice with your iron tablets, that could help too.

but definitely go back to the doctor.

**MummaBear03** · 13-06-2010 13:44

Go the spinach!

**Leeee** · 13-06-2010 14:29

spinach has eww factor but i can see the reasoning behind it. as for the absorption.. see, if it's not absorbed, it changes the colour of, ah, my excretions. and it's not doing that so i'm assuming it's being absorbed. and i take a vit c tablet with it. i'm taking one called FGF, which worked when i was anaemic in high school. might try the health food shop thing though, thankyou. might have something that is easily absorbed. mmm liver. it's been too long.

oh and i'd really like my appetite to come back. it's there sometimes but other times it seems to be on holiday!

**alternatemum** · 13-06-2010 14:41

I lost all iron after having bub and for 7 months was taking iron tablets that the hospital and doctor prescribed. Did absolutely nothing for me as i had another blood test done at 7 months after and still pretty much at the same level.

Went to a naturopath who put me onto a liquid iron (easiest to absorb) which has vitamin c in it. Also if your not absorbing iron then it may be that your low in other minerals in your body and i am taking zinc, magnesium, multi Vitamins. I have to have another blood test again soon but i feel like my old self before i got pregnant (with alot more energy).

Best source is red meat but kangaroo is the best meat (tastes good too, if you like it) and i think they told me mushrooms which i cant stand.

Oh and i was told that drinking orange juice with iron tablets deplete the iron. Dunno if thats 100% true though??

**NonnyMouse** · 13-06-2010 15:03

Originally Posted by .mpeg

spinach has eww factor but i can see the reasoning behind it. as for the absorption.. see, if it's not absorbed, it changes the colour of, ah, my excretions. and it's not doing that so i'm assuming it's being absorbed.

EVery time I'm on iron meds the colour changes, and they're definitely being absorbed cause tests showed that my levels were improving.

I'd definitely recomend another test to compare numbers.

And as well as taking it with Vitamin C, don't take iron within half an hour each side of food containing calcium as that will make the iron really hard for your body to use.

Another great way to get your energy boost when you need one in a hurry is to get your blood pumping. I used to do a routine where I shake out every bit of my body one at a time, waving my arms around like a demented chicken, flicking my fingers and hands, shaking my legs and feet etc. I look like a nutter doing it, but after only a few minutes of this my body is fair humming and gets a huge energy boost.

**Amara** · 13-06-2010 15:21

Fgf usually works well, go back o the doc and ask if you should up it. Use spinach in cooking. I use it in chicken lasagne and its really tasty. From memory I think cashews are also high in iron.