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Iron supplements

The guidelines around iron supplements are so complicated! No dairy, empty stomach but take with something with vitamin c, no tea, coffee, caffeine, tannins…. Like where is the magical 10 minute block in the day where all of these things line up? Seems like just taking it, even if you’ve had caffeine or you ate breakfast, is better than nothing right? Like some of it must be getting absorbed?

Answer

I take mine first thing in the morning with a little vitamin -c containing fruit. Then I eat breakfast an hour or two later.

I have chronic iron deficiency anemia and after giving up dairy I haven’t needed an infusion in 9 months and counting whereas I couldn’t make it six months between infusions before.

Answer

I have been on iron for quite some time now. When I first started, I was on 3 pills per day, that was a pain.

I only eat two meals, so that made it easier. I would take 5a when I woke up, 10a, then eat lunch at 12, dinner at 5 and take the last pill at 9p before bed.

Now, I just take them 3x per week, so I take when I wake up at 430-5a and then don’t eat until 12p.

Always take with a vitamin C pill or orange juice.

Answer

I was just thinking about this! I need to up my iron and I am trying to figure out the best time. I figure middle of the afternoon when I haven’t eaten since lunch and haven’t taken other supplements. Of course I have to remember to actually take the iron then. That’s it’s own issue 😆

Answer

Iron is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, with water or fruit juice (adults: full glass or 8 ounces; children: ½ glass or 4 ounces), about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, to lessen the possibility of stomach upset, iron may be taken with food or immediately after meals.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/iron-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/proper-use/drg-20070148