After a blood test, I found out today that my thyroid is normal, but I am a little anemic. My doctor suggests that I take the Slow Fe iron supplements - glad it says it's gentle on your system, don't need any more upset there!!
I am also now on medicine for depression (generic Wellbutrin). I have been extremely exhausted lately, and so I hope the combination of these will help me feel better!
My question is for anyone else who was diagnosed with anemia. Do you remember how long it took you to feel a difference in your energy after taking iron supplements?
I've read online anywhere from a week to a few months! I'm hoping for the week! :)
Thanks!
Thanks for the responses! I picked up some Slow Fe last night. Hopefully I will start feeling better soon! I'm about to start moving to a new apartment next week, plus the month of November is a very busy time at work and I'll have to put it some overtime! Definitely need energy! :)
I run on the anemic side myself. My body does not absorb the iron...I actually have too much iron in my system.
After a visit to the endocronogolist, I take liquid vitamin D and liquid B-12.
When I was pregnant, 16 yrs ago, I had B-12 injections to keep everything in order.
Hope you feel better soon!
I had to take SlowFe post-partum due to low iron levels. I didn't exactly feel a 'low' in my energy levels; I just attributed it to uh well, you know, having a newborn and not getting more than 3 hours of sleep at a time!
The SlowFe wasn't bad. It is released slower so that you don't get all the constipation that you might with the regular iron supplements. That being said, I did hate that side effect because I absolutely never have a problem with constipation and something in the SlowFe prevents constipation, so I wound up with (TMI...gross...sorry) nasty soft poo that returned to normal once I was off the SlowFe.
And FYI just so you know...the iron will help your red blood cells pick up oxygen better. This is a very over-simplified way to explain it but think of your red blood cell and the oxygen that binds to it as the two parts of Velcro. With low iron, the 'velcro' is not as strong and the oxygen doesn't 'latch' on and your individual cells do not get enough oxygen needed for cellular activity, respiration, etc. You need oxygen to burn fuel in your body for energy. The deficit is what makes you feel sluggish and tired.
You can also eat red meat but the downside to that is many cuts of red meat are also high in saturated fat.
just wanted to give you a heads-up that iron supplements can constipate you so be sure and drink lots of water!!
It can take a while, but there are other things you can do to help. Get active at least some every day, drink plenty of water, and try to get at least 6 hours of sleep. Keep taking the iron, and even after you feel better, keep an eye out for those mystery bruises. If they start showing up again and you have been taking your iron, focus on food choices to help balance your levels. Dark green leafy veggies like spinach are good, as is lean red meat. Just do a Google search for foods high in Iron. My levels have gone up and down my whole life, but if you are consistent with your supplement your levels should stay good.
I was also anemic for a while there, and I took an iron supplement and it took about a week or two for me to start feeling less tired. Like the other post said make sure you drink an 8 oz glass of water because it can make you constipated and also they usually want you to give it on an empty stomach too
I've been recently diagnosed with hypothyroid and anemia. I tried taking the iron suppliments, but both kinds I tried (the prescription and the vitamine) really upset my stomach. I decided to give liver pills a try and they have really helped and they are easier on my stomach. It only took a couple of days of taking them to make me feel like I have more energy.
I have always tested in the anemic range. Thing is, that seems to be the level my body want to run at. So what if it is lower than "average"? As long as I am not dragging my a$$ around tired and dizzy and cold..? Who cares?
But I do so love to donate blood (or platelets cuz I have super awesome AB+ platelets) and so I work very hard to make the cut with regard to iron. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I do not. I do not use the sulfate FEs. I just use regular vitamins. A few suggestions:
Pre-natal vitamins...because they have extra iron
Take with orange juice/vitamin C.
Children's chew-ables (but a double dose) chewing makes them easier to absorb.
Or chew your regular vitamins. Gross? Maybe. But works for me.
Fortified cereals, waffles, etc. Even the sugariest grains out there are chock full of iron.
Lean protein and dark greens and dried fruit. Please note I saved that one for last. It works but it is harder to do than vitamins.
When I am doing my regimen consistently, I can feel a difference within the week. The thing is, the higher your iron creeps, the better your body gets at its absorption rate.
You should feel better in about a week after starting the iron
