How can I boost low iron quickly

[Penny4Them]

Hi, I'm 37 weeks and have low iron (hematocrit)--I think it was a 10 last week at my check up. I've been feeling extremely tired, getting out of breath easily, and noticed a little bit of palpitations (me, not baby). Does anyone have any suggestions to help me get my iron stores up? Should I be worried about this? I've been taking supplements, but still feel pretty crummy. Other than eating red meat & spinach, cooking with iron skillet, avoiding calcium at time of iron-products and taking Vit c to increase iron absorption, do ya'll have any other recommendations about what might help me? Any good supplements? This lethargy is just awful!

Thanks!!!!

[MsBlack]

If you are taking a supplement with ferrous sulfate in it, then stop because it is very poorly absorbed.

Whatever else you may take supplementally, try adding Yellow Dock to the mix (either powdered herb caps or tincture). Yellow Dock does not have a lot of iron in it, but it does have compounds that greatly aid the absorbtion of iron. I have seen it used by itself to resolve low iron fairly quickly, but most use it in combination with other iron supplements.

Another herbal/plant based iron supplement that many use to good effect is Floradix. Go to your local natural foods store to find it--or to find any other liquid and plant-based iron supplement. They should have things like alfalfa, dandelion, yellow dock in them.

[THANKFULFORFIVE]

Eating lots of the "variety meats" like liver, gizzards, and hearts boosted me pretty quickly. That, combined with the slow-release supplements, lots of oranges, and spinach smoothies!

[JamieCatheryn]

I've been on Floridix for mine, it's supposed to be best absorbed and not give the constipation issues many iron supps do. Warning though, the small bottle only lasts 12 days, I didn't realize when I bought it, and it's very very expensive stuff. I'm considering it an investment, if my iron levels are better for birth I'll have less chance of complications from bleeding that might require transfer. I really need to go buy more asap.

[Belle]

Another plug for Floradix here. I hemorrhaged during a m/c and lost half my blood supply. I got a transfusion but I was still anemic. I took Floradix twice a day and it got my iron stores built up quickly. I had my iron checked again a month later and my iron levels were normal. It wasn't constipating either.

It tastes terrible though. I always chased it with a glass of OJ.

[Beccadoula]

I have heard that a product called "blood builder" is supposed to be much easier to obsorb than regular iron.

[TzippityDoulah]

i used alfalfa liquid chlorophyll and it worked really well. i also upped my beef, bacon/bacon grease and leafy greens tremendously. but i hear floradix works even quicker.

[Penny4Them]

Thanks ALL! I got Floradix today and have begun taking it. I just realized that the multi sample pack the doc's office gave me 2 weeks ago did not have iron in it so that may be why my anemia seemed to get worse. Hopefully I'll get it up enough to not have problems with delivery. I'm really concerned about this now.

[thefreckledmama]

Do you drink black teas? If so, you should stop. The last time I tried to donate blood I was shocked I couldn't because my iron was too low. I eat lots of green leafy veggies, still take a prenatal, and cook in cast iron. The lady asked if I ever drank black tea, which I did all the time. She said that black tea blocks the absorption of iron, regardless of how much iron you take.

[frogautumn]

Another thumbs up for Floradix! I also hated the taste, but loved to chase it with grapefruit juice. Liver meats and oysters are also super high in iron (if you can stomach it) and I hear the the heme iron found is meat is more available than non-heme iron.

If you're looking to boost quickly, you might want to try both approaches...

[snowmom5]

I've been taking a supplement called Slow Fe. It's time-release. I noticed a difference in the breathlessness and heartrate the very first time I took it (I take it with some other stuff before bed, and I've been sleeping better ever since).

[JamieCatheryn]

Just wanted to pop in and say the Floridix worked for me, I'm up to 10.7 from a 9.5 on the hemoglobin reading. Feeling safe for the birth now, and will continue supplementing until the lochia finishes after birth.

[mamato3cherubs]

I have to mention this because I have been doing alot of studying on the subject recently, iron absorbtion that is.

I see a lot of metion of spinach and other green veggie sources listed here. Only about 5% of the iron available in spinach is actually absorbed for use in the body. It and some other green veggies contain high amounts of oxalic acid, this very much hinders the absorbtion of the iron. So while it is high in iron, it will not help.

Food sources do benifit from complimentation, highest sources being red meats, then poultry and fish, followed by legumes- pinto beans are actually quite high and a great source of iron for those who do not include meat products in their diet.

Meats eaten with fruits high in C of course will prvide better absorbtion than those eaten alone, baked bean with ham, and the iron in bread enhanced by adding a slice of tomato.

Surprising one- per serving size, canned clams have an extreamly high amount of iron, over 18 mg compared to beef, pinto beans and flour tortillas at about 2 mg. surprising two- one cup of fresh chopped parsley contains nearly twice the iron of beef and 3 times that of chicken or tuna.

Also, iron supplements do not seem to be benifited by the taking of Vit C with them. The Vit C assists in breaking down the irons in food from the form they are naturally in to ferrous iron for easier absorbtion, most suppements are already in this form. Ironically, supplements are quite poorly absorbed.

ahh, ok, im done, there is my iron lecture from a nutrition stand point, hopefully it helps someone, sorry if this is not what you were looking for, couldnt stop myself

[THANKFULFORFIVE]

Originally Posted by snowmom5

I've been taking a supplement called Slow Fe. It's time-release. I noticed a difference in the breathlessness and heartrate the very first time I took it (I take it with some other stuff before bed, and I've been sleeping better ever since).

That's the same one I take, and I too noticed improvement in symptoms very quickly!

[Penny4Them]

Originally Posted by mamato3cherubs

I see a lot of metion of spinach and other green veggie sources listed here. Only about 5% of the iron available in spinach is actually absorbed for use in the body. It and some other green veggies contain high amounts of oxalic acid, this very much hinders the absorbtion of the iron. So while it is high in iron, it will not help.

Great stuff everyone ... and thanks Lisa. I didn't know all that so it's very helpful. I'll be making clams casino for dindin tonight.

Floradix has made me feel really TONS better. I was excited to find a gluten-free version too, so for those of you who commented on the taste of the other one, I wonder if this one tastes better? I find the taste isn't too bad and haven't needed a chaser.

I read that OJ is not good to take with iron supplements (contrary to advice from my doctor) b/c the sugar can mess up absorbtion too. I knew about tanins in tea and have been without my cuppas for over a week. boohoo! That's not been easy, although I'm sure I could have it at different times of day without problems w/ absorbtion ... I don't want to take any chances.

Thanks so much EVERYONE! Now 38 weeks and feeling more energy ... ready for this little bundle of joy to make his debut!

[Belle]

Glad it worked and you're feeling better. Happy Birthing!

[wbg]

I used floradix double dose, in addition to yellow dock tincture and beetroot capsules. I took beetroot and yellow dock 3 times a day combined with loads of brocoli, spinach meat and oj. It was a perfect combo for me and increased my very low iron levels and energy dramatically.