I have tried many different multivitamins with iron and just iron vitamins and they all cause me really bad stomach cramps and then I have to run to the bathroom . I am still borderline anemic and frustrated with what to do. The patches I tried the patched once but they caused a bad skin irriation. I eat foods high in iron and stiAcross the counter non bariatric vitamins with iron I can take but they don't have as much iron as bariatric ones. I have been told bariatric is better and absorbs better. Suggestions???

TIPS FOR TAKING IRON

Iron is absorbed the best on an empty stomach. Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem.

Milk, calcium, and antacids should NOT be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after having these foods before taking your iron supplements.

Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include:

• High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran
• Foods or drinks with caffeine

Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill. This can help the iron absorb into your body. Drinking 8 ounces (240 milliliters) of fluid with an iron pill is also OK.

Good luck! If that doesn't help, I would call your doctor.

You may need to talk to your doctor about IV iron infusions. I take the Bariatric Pal One with 45mg of iron. It does cause nausea if I eat it on an empty stomach but if I take it with a small snack right before bed it doesn't bother me.

I wonder if any citrus juice would do or if it has to be orange? I d9,have lemonade sweetened with Stevia in my fridge.

try either carbonyl iron or heme iron if you haven't already. Those versions are less likely to cause side effects than some of the others that are more commonly taken, like ferrous sulfate.

5 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

I wonder if any citrus juice would do or if it has to be orange? I d9,have lemonade sweetened with Stevia in my fridge.

I was told to take iron with orange juice

Elemental iron (like from veggies and most vitamins) is poorly absorbed and even less so for bariatric patients. Heme iron is very well absorbed and the best sources are from animal meat. The animals have already eaten the elemental iron and have processed it into the stuff that transports oxygen in the tissues. When we eat that form, we can really benefit, Best source - sorry, but it's liver. Calf liver is pretty mild, very soft and easy to swallow. I get very thinly sliced, individually sealed calf liver at Sprouts. Very quick to cook and actually quite tasty with some onions and mushrooms.

Do post menopausal women really need to take iron?

15 minutes ago, ohjuly7878 said:

Do post menopausal women really need to take Iron?

I can't speak for all post-menopausal women, but *I* do.

4 hours ago, ohjuly7878 said:

Do post menopausal women really need to take Iron?

I'm perimenopausal and don't have periods due to another bio-hacking projecting of mine, and I'm borderline. I take it in addition to my multi-vitamin with iron, which may not be totally necessary. But I credit my taking all my vitamins and getting all my protein with for not losing any hair. I'm not perfect by any means, but I was good at those things.

Thanks for answering the question I had Re iron. Would you folks say that your decision (re whether or not you need iron) is based on your blood iron level? Or something else? Thanks!

Just now, ohjuly7878 said:

Thanks for answering the question I had Re Iron. Would you folks say that your decision (re whether or not you need iron) is based on your blood iron level? Or something else? Thanks!

my surgeon has all his patients taking iron. I have blood tests done at least once a year, and my levels are fine - so I keep doing what I'm doing. Iron deficiencies are hard to deal with - often people need infusions when their levels get too low - so I don't want to stop taking it and risk it dropping.

3 hours ago, ohjuly7878 said:

Thanks for answering the question I had Re Iron. Would you folks say that your decision (re whether or not you need iron) is based on your blood iron level? Or something else? Thanks!

I feel tired a lot from other meds I take, but it's also a sign of iron deficiency. I keep taking it JUST IN CASE it helps.