Question 1

hi. my period is 9 days late. i've had bad period cramps that comes and goes. i have starting cutting out sugars about a month ago as i was diagnosed pre diabetics and started taking iron supplements. could this be the cause for a late period?

Accepted Answer

Maybe not, and...: Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period. If not pregnant, other causes of a late or missed period include:  excessive weight loss or weight gain, increased exercising, emotional stress, having an illness, traveling, medicines (especially birth control pills), hormonal disorders, etc…  A visit to one’s Ob-Gyn doctor is a good idea if symptoms are persistent, recurring, or worrisome.

Question 2

last year my iron level was a 7 and i i was advised to take iron supplements as soon as possible it s been a year now should i go and get myself tested again ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Getting a repeat blood test to look at anemia can be helpful to decide if you should continue to take iron tablets.

Question 3

can you take magnesium and iron supplements together?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can: Yes you can take them together.

Question 4

is it safe to take iron supplements bought over the counter?

Accepted Answer

Yes: My worries are: 1) why do you need extra iron at all?  What's the reason?
2) over the counter iron tablets contain very little absorbable iron.   More effective are prescription iron pills which often contain 10x the amount of iron per pill.  Sometimes even the prescription pills are not adequate and iron needs to be given intravenously.

Question 5

how shall an anemic feel if they forget to take iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

How long: If they miss a day or two nothing. If they stop all together they will lower their blood hemoglobin levels and begin to feel weak again. Iron only helps so much, if you have anemia you should get a real work up as to why

Question 6

is it ok to take iron supplements daily even if you are not anemic?

Accepted Answer

Optimize no overdose: What is your purpose for taking it? Too much of a good thing could be bad. There are even times when Doctors have to bleed patients to lower the Iron! If you want to "optimize" your function discuss it with your physician, were levels or Iron and Ferritin can be checked and treated if needed. You cannot accumulate extra in case you need it in the future. This is the case for most nutraceuticals.

Question 7

my ferritin is low, 15 ng/ml. should i take iron supplements? how much, how often, and what type?

Accepted Answer

Iron ?: There are a few things we look at if we are considering iron deficiency anemia and ferritin is only one of those things. We especially also like to see a low- low normal iron in addition to a possible cause of blood loss and symptoms such as fatigue and pallor. Iron pills are also generally constipation so I would not start them without a definitive diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.

Question 8

ferritin level came back 23 ug/l. reference range says 10-291 ug/l. should i take some iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: What is your haemoglobin? What were the red cell indices? Going by just the ferritin level, you do not need to take iron. All lab results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the test is usually in the best position to do that.

Question 9

how much iron should i consume in a day? i am anemic and take iron supplements but only one a day. should  i take more?

Accepted Answer

60 mg 3 time daily: adult dose is 60 mg 3 time daily,for pediatrics 6 mg/kg/day

Question 10

how long will it take for iron levels to reach 12 range if taking iron supplements and vit.c daily for over a week? iron was at 9.6 three weeks ago.

Accepted Answer

Long term Rx: You need to take iron for at least 6 months to replenish you iron stores. 12 is not high enough to be normal. Do not worry about repeating the test before 6 months.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form.  Drink enough water daily so that your urine is mostly colorless.
Practice safe sex. 
Get HPV vaccine.

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Doctor answers about:

Can diabetics take iron supplements

A member asked:

Hi. my period is 9 days late. i've had bad period cramps that comes and goes. i have starting cutting out sugars about a month ago as i was diagnosed pre diabetics and started taking iron supplements. could this be the cause for a late period?

A member asked:

Last year my iron level was a 7 and i i was advised to take iron supplements as soon as possible it s been a year now should i go and get myself tested again ?

A member asked:

Can you take magnesium and iron supplements together?

A member asked:

Is it safe to take iron supplements bought over the counter?

A member asked:

How shall an anemic feel if they forget to take iron supplements?

A member asked:

Is it ok to take iron supplements daily even if you are not anemic?

A member asked:

My ferritin is low, 15 ng/ml. should i take iron supplements? how much, how often, and what type?

A member asked:

Ferritin level came back 23 ug/l. reference range says 10-291 ug/l. should i take some iron supplements?

A member asked:

How much iron should i consume in a day? i am anemic and take iron supplements but only one a day. should i take more?

A member asked:

How long will it take for iron levels to reach 12 range if taking iron supplements and vit.c daily for over a week? iron was at 9.6 three weeks ago.

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