How to Fight the Fatigue of Anemia, and What Are the Best Multi-vitamins!

Please look into fulvic acid with minerals and wheat grass. Anemia can be the result of multiple mineral imbalances. This approach will address many other possible low lying health issues. If you need zinc, you might need to cut back on copper. If you have used birth control pills or a T shaped copper IUD, you may be copper toxic. Please research.

By the way. Did the doctor determine if this WAS an iron deficiency anemia? This could be important. Chris RN

Hi M. looks like you have gotten a lot of responses today! Wanted to share with you a great line of Isotonix supplements namely MultiTech which is available with iron. Below I have included a portion of the info on the MultiTech description, to learn more go to www.mymalltoshop.com
I will also send you an email with my info and I have a personal testimonial for you as well, good luck! Thanks, M.

Isotonix® MultiTech™ is an isotonic-capable food supplement containing 100 percent or more of the daily value of essential vitamins and most minerals. There are wide varieties of multivitamin and mineral supplements on the market today. Only Isotonix MultiTech contains a unique blend of complimentary vitamins and minerals providing a sound micronutrient foundation in a superior nutrient delivery system. Isotonix MultiTech supplements dietary deficiencies, and helps maintain normal metabolic functioning. MultiTech is perfect for athletes, growing adults and pre-menopausal women. Isotonix MultiTech is available with and without Iron for differing nutritional needs.*

M.,

I work with a superior functional food that has had amazing results with fatigue and anemia. My friend Samatha, who is borderline anemic, used it for her pregnancy and had a great pregnancy and can now donate blood when she wants too. I would love to share more with you over the phone. You can contact me at ###-###-####.
Warm wishes,
D. J.

Did your doctor do additional tests to determine the source of your anemia? Not all anemia is a result of iron deficiency. If your iron levels are normal, DO NOT take iron supplementation as it can be toxic. Do you have food sensitivities or any gastro-intestinal issues? Celiac disease (caused by a reaction to gluten) can cause anemia. Other types of anemia include a problem with red blood cell production or destruction of red blood cells at various cycles. If your doctor wasn't helpful, I would find someone else. Hematologists specialize in this type of thing and can give you a better understanding of what type of anemia you have and what to do about it. A good naturopath would do the same. Again, I would examine your condition further before supplementing with iron. I think trying some B vitamins would be worth a try though. Hope this is helpful.

Hi! I am a nutritionist and a mother of 3 young girls. I've had anemia and I know how exhausting it can be. A good iron supplement is a must to get started. Get plenty of rest, plenty of water and don't push yourself until your body gets rebalanced.
The best multi-vitamin I can recommend is actually very new. The company takes a swab of DNA from your mouth (you mail it in) and creates a multi-vitamin tailored to your DNA!! It eliminates the guess work and makes sure you're getting what YOU need! (All our needs our different) Check out www.TheDNAPill.com for more info.
Hope this helps.
Just some tips in general. Capsules absorb better than solid pills. But if you use solid pills, make sure they absorb in water in less than 30 minutes, otherwise you may not gain the benefit of the vitamin.
Email or call me if you have any questions:
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You probably have chronic fatigue. The way I got over this was an 8-year process. This can be a very debillatating condition. First, determine if you have any food allergies. 2nd, I am still often fighting anemia - which may be caused by bad digestion and not being able to process your food properly. See if you are gluten intolerant or celiac. (I am). When I cut dairy and bread out of my diet, things started turning around.

The best thing to do is work with a naturopath. They are what helped me know what to do when to get over it. Dr. Cheryl Wood in Lynnwood, Dr. Jodi Berg in Everett, and Dr. Bejing Men in Northgate were instrumental in getting me over the chronic fatigue. Believe it or not, acupuncture REALLY helps.

Another thing that helped a LOT was Essiac Tea. You can find out more about this wonderful tea at blessedherbs.com. This is still my huge help when chronic fatigue rears its ugly head again.

The best VITAMIN - for iron and B-12 (you probably also have a B12 deficienty) is Floradix which you can get at Super Supplements. It is a liquid iron that you take, and the best on the market, in my opinion. It doesn't constipate.

The other thing I have to do for my condition is avoid sugar (it REALLY brings me down), avoid white flour. I cannot eat a standard breakfast of waffles or pancakes. If I do, I will have to go right back to bed. Even in the afternoons, if I eat too much sugar, suddenly I have to go back to bed. It really exhausts me. Caffeine will exhaust me as well. If your immune system is run down, caffeine can do a real number. It can make you want to sleep, believe it or not.

I suffered from this condition for 12 years under an MD before I discovered diet and Naturopaths were the only road out. I had it so bad I wanted to die. This is an autoimmune disorder. Cleansings help. Diet helps.

God bless you on your road to recovery. Prayer and meditation helps immensely. Being in the monastery for a few days, focusing on prayer only gave me some immediate healing. Being stressed can also cause an immense amount of tiredness. When I'm stressed, I sleep as well.

Dear M.,

You sound like a very busy and active mommy. You encourage me as you seek to be proactive about your health!/

When I had some health concerns I took a Nutra-physical (a series of health questions) that guided me to supplements and vitamins that were very beneficial to me and my family. It is very simple, yet very helpful nutritional analysis. The products I take are supported by scientific research and the resources are available on the website. Take a moment to do the Nutra-physical on my web portal at http://www.marketamerica.com/kimkalin. The Nutra-physical is located on the bottom left side of the web page. It only takes a few minutes to do and there is no cost or obligation. It's just a resource that you can print and then take to your doctor if you like. My sister who is a health professional recommended the analysis to me and I've never felt better!

I've included a testimonial from a woman that was trying to get her fatique diagnosed and what was helpful to her.

"While I wasn't diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Hypersomnia, meaning I was tired all the time, but they didn't know why. For many years, I would sleep every chance I got, in the parking lot in my car after lunch, in an office during lunch, getting my hair cut, having my teeth cleaned, even driving, which was the worst.

My family doctor told me - after years of problems - that I was probably just a 10 hour a night sleeper who only got 8 hours. I finally visited a sleep doctor. I was wired up for an overnight test. I was in REM sleep for 95% of the time, so getting good sleep at night. The next day, they kept me wired up and turned off the lights every 2 hours and told me to try to sleep. Within minutes, I was asleep each time. I told the doctor that I had very poor eating habits and didn't take supplements. She told me it wasn't nutrition related, I was just tired all the time and they didn't know why. She prescribed Provigil, which is a medication for Narcalepsy. It worked great! I couldn't believe that was how awake and aware I was supposed to feel.

Then, along came Market America. I started taking OPC-3. After a few weeks, the Provigil started giving me headaches when I would take it, so I quit taking it. I could physically stay awake during the day, which was better than before OPC-3, but I was still very tired. I added CoQ10 to the mix and felt 100% better. I also had the Gene SNP done and found out that I have a B Vitamin Deficiency, which may explain some of the problems, but I don't take the Gene SNP supplements, so I'm sure it is the CoQ10 that is helping. Also, I have a nice big mug of MochaTonix everyday and notice when I haven't had it yet.
I hope this helps. Sue Graichen" End of Testimonial.

A little about me, I'm a wife of 17 years and I'm a mother of two girls, age 17 months and age 7.

Sorry this is so long. I wish you the best.

Kimberly

You have to take iron pills. (and eat foods high in iron) But don't take your iron pills with your multi-vitamin because iron bonds with calcium and then it doesn't help you at all.

I would consult with a naturopath. If your doctor wasn't able to suggest a specific supplement for you, I would go to a naturopath. There are so many options out there in the supplement world, and they're NOT all created equal! It can save you a lot of time & $ of trial by error, if you have someone who knows the differences. A ND also might do more specific blood tests than your normal doctor did.

HI M.,

I so feel your pain. I have been anemic since I was 13. It is awful. Back in Febuary I had a really low dip in my iron and it got down to 9.1. It was awful. I could barely move. The best thing is to rest and not try to over do it. My dr told me that it takes about 2 weeks after taking iron to get your count going back up. I have two little girls so rest was extremely hard. Take vitamin c with your iron. Also, eat spinach in your salad, green veggies, lots of meats and make sure you take a fiber supplement also b/c sometimes iron may constipate you. I just take a fiber pill and am fine. That is about it. I am so sorry you have to deal with this it is one of the hardest things especially with kids. Good luck and it will pass as soon as your iron gets back up. Don't get discouraged.

Dear M.,
I have a question, how is your sleep? My Doc suggested I get my ferritin/iron levels checked and indeed I needed to add iron to my regime. Exercise and drinking caffeine depelete a women's body of iron and so you do need to supplement. You might go back to your doctor and discuss this. I wonder where you live? The doctors I saw were both women and specialize in women's wellness,so there range for well being and iron levels is based on women's research. Also, because my sleep was disrupted, both because of being a mom and responding to nightmares, and then not being able to go back to sleep because my mind would/does buzz away, my Doc suggested 5htp before bedtime.
It's so hard to feel that fatigue, especially because you can't really welcome it and use it as a guide to rest when you are a mother and a professional.
I hope you find a way of taking good care.
Good Luck,
Mary
A little about me:
Mother of 5 year old fraternal twins, happily married, work part time as a school counselor.

My doctor recommended SlowFe, which I got at Wal-Mart. It is an iron supplement that is slowly digested to help avoid feeling nauseated. Also, if you eat All-Bran flakes (not the ones with yogurt bites or anything else, just the plain flakes) they are high in iron (higher than any other cereal I could find). And they are high in lots of other vitamins, plus fiber. I think they taste good too - even my husband and son will eat them. Plus don't forget to eat lots of the dark, leafy green vegetables.

Hi M. - I was severely anemic during my third (I've pretty much always been since high school, but this was the worst I've been.) I took a 65 mg supplement each day, but I think the best advice was the nutritional advice I received, because many people's bodies do not absorb iron that's been manufactured. It simply doesn't recognize it as iron passes it through.

Best thing (though you have to develop a tolerance for the flavor) is to make a "hot toddy" with hot water and black strap molasses and drink it each night before bed.

Next would be red meats and beans, followed by spinach. I found it easy to grill up a small steak or lamb chop and then eat that with a spinach/romaine salad with black beans or chickpeas on it. I have never been a big bean/lentil eater, but man, I've found some great ways to add them to meals and make side dishes with them and now I'm wondering why I waited so long! And my 4 and 6 year old girls love them on/in our food!

Just look online and you'll find some great recipes for high iron foods.

M., Plain and simple I take 2 prenatals... I am not able to take Iron pills do to the reaction in the lower end of things. I talked to my doctor and he said this was the best way. I have no other problems, but always talk to your doctor first... C. B.

Slow release iron! It's sold as "slow fe" and anemia is also known as low iron. This will definately help. Iron is absorbed best by the body when taken with vitamin C. I usually take my iron with a small glass of orange juice in the morning. Iron can cause constipation, but the slow release is less likely to cause this. A prenatal vitamin is a great multi for any woman. It has extra iron than a regular multi. I take nature made brand and my ob-gyn said it was a good one. Changing your diet can help too if yours isn't very nutritious. Leafy greens (the darker the better and including broccoli), beans, and red meat are all great sources of iron.

Hi M.
First you did not mention if you are a vegitarian, or Vegin. If you are than it might be good to rethink your food intake. Red meet like Elk, Dear, or Buffalo is a better choice than Beaf. If you do not want meet than check to see what foods have a higher iron content. Yes iron pills can constipate you. In the days before nonstick pans Cast Iron was used and that is what I use in my home. In using the Iron frying pans or pots a small amount of Iron is naturely mixed in to the food and it supliments the iron in the diet. Unlike when one cooks with the nonstick tefflon or other nonstick stuff that also get into the food that is eaten. That is why the nonstick pans lose the coating, it gets into the food.
Once I had anemia, I was taking 1000 to 3000 units of Vitiman C and became anemic. When I cut back to 500 units a day the anemic condition went away. What happens is the large amounts of C makes it so copper is not absorbed and with out copper the body can not absorb iron, That is what the DR told me.
I do hope you are not using any DIet drinks or artifical sweetnwes like splenda or anything that is not natural like sugar or Stevia. Aspertain is a pison and it tricks the body into thinking it is not getting enough blood sugar and affects the nervis system. Check it out on www.BrassChecktv.com or YouTube.com Pison in our food and Pison in our water.
Do you know the differance between Immuneasation and Vacksination check it out also. There is a dangrous differance.

Good luck and be well

S.

Moary is absolutely right with the liquid iron. My two sister-in-laws and I were anemic during pregnancy and one of them still is. After trial and error we finally found the one that worked the best for all of us. It was recomended by a homeopathic doctor. It is a liquid iron made by Flora, a natural supplement company out of Lynden, WA. It come in a red box and is called Floradix Iron + Herbs. It needs to be refridgerated after opening. It doesn't taste real great(definitely better when cold) but you will really notice a difference with the fatigue. I know I did.

Dear M.,
Oh how my heart goes out to you! I have suffered from anemia for years! I think the thing that helps me the most is to take iron pills with vitamin c. The vitamin c helps the iron to break down and get into your bloodstream more quickly. The other thing that I have tried that is nasty tasting, but it really worked was chlorophyl. I would get it at a health food store and have 2 tablespoons a day. It's the dark green vegies that really help as far as diet goes, but the chloropyl is like getting direct oxygen to your system. Good luck!
J.

Hi M.,

I have battled anemia most of my life and have tried many treatments and supplements. I have even had IV infusions. The best and fastest remedy I have found is Floradix Iron Supplements found at natural food stores like Whole Foods. It is food based, so it is very easily absorbed by your body. I find my energy comes back very fast (in a day or two) and I feel better within a day. Blood tests have even shown definite results with just a couple days of taking it! It's a little spendy, but well worth it! It is a liquid, you simply drink it - I pour it into a shot glass since I take double the dosage due to my unique situation and it doesn't taste bad.

Good Luck!
A.

Dear M.,
First, take Ferrum Phosphoricum 6x, which is homeopathic iron, 'tissue remedy'. It comes in bottles with easy-dissolving tablets. This increases your iron without constipation issues that come with crude iron, and helps your body actually absorb iron from your food better. So it covers both bases. You can take 1-2 daily.

Having a constitutional remedy is also important. This is chosen for you as a whole through an in-depth consult and can resolve the root to this imbalance most likely permanently - as well as other issues you may have.

Multi-vitamins are mostly a waste of money, they can only absorb at best about 8% and the rest is urinated out. I have a program of herbal food concentrates that deeply nourish the body and even help it's ability to detoxify itself.

Write me for phone number to discuss and answer questions.

Be well,
Liz Brandegee
Classical Homeopath

Oh man I know exactly what your going through. I had battled anemia for years, took iron supplements that didn't help. It wasn't until I had my twins that things got really bad. We figured out that my anemia was related to having heavy periods. And taking pills didn't help because my body wasn't absorbing the iron. It got so bad that I would feel light headed and like I was going to pass out on a daily basis. They tried iron shots in my hips and that brought my levels up closer to the normal range but then it ended up dropping back off. I even had to go into the hospital for an iron IV where I had an IV hooked up and it was a slow entering iron, I slept in the hospital for the 3 hours it took to get the full dose. Eventually ended up having an ablation done (they cauterize the lining of the uterus).
I don't know if yours is related to your periods or not, but I might even seek another doctors advice. This is NOT something to take lightly. It is enough work dealing with toddlers and then add anemia into the mix. I wish you the best of luck and if you need someone to talk to, let me know!

I just started using the generic multi-vitamin for women over 50 from WalMArt. It has more calcium, too. I was becoming more anemic and having periods 3 months in a row with only one week off in between. No wonder!
It is called Equate (women's 50 plus) One Daily and it was less than $3 a bottle. My periods have gone back to normal, and I have more energy. Once in awhile I still want to take a nap in the afternoon, so I do it when I can.
Have they checked your thyroid?
If you can't stomach your vitimins or swallow them, you can grind they up, put them in a warm foot bath, soak your feet in it for 20 minutes and it will be absorbed through your feet! I bet you haven't heard that one yet! My mother has been doing it for years and it works.

doesn't being tired all the time stink? it took me a long time to figure out why i was so tired and cranky (just figured it was the kids at first). i finally had my iron levels tested (including my ferriting) and found that it was 16 whereas most woman are around 40 altho the normal range goes much higher. figured out it is my heavy periods and we're working towards fixing that problem. in the meantime, i take floradix http://www.amazon.com/Floradix-Formula-Iron-250mL-Brand/d.... it tastes pretty bad but you should see results in about a week. it's helped me a lot tho i look forward to the day when i don't have so much blood loss and my body can keep my iron levels up just from my diet.

Some of this may be repeat info, but here goes.. Iron pills may constipate and cause upset stomach, while liquid iron does not. Liquid iron tastes horrible though, I'm on it right now. Whenever you take iron try to eat or take in some vit. C with it to help it absorb, but avoid any calcium which can block it from absorbing. If you do decide to buy liquid iron you do not have to buy it from a health food store. I think Marlene's wanted like $20 for it while I bought mine from Fred Meyer's for $6.
Some iron rich foods include:
beef
liver:) (mmm everyones favorite)
roasted turkey
clams, oysters
prune juice
branflakes w/ or w/ out raisins
cream of wheat
Good luck I hope you feel better.

One of the big problems of anemia is the lack of Iron. A good way to make sure you are getting the proper amounts of iron is to pair it with a vitamin C food. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron. Look for Vitamins with Iron and possibly even ones specifically targeting anemia.

Also avoid coffee or tea when taking vitamins as they can cause poor absorption. Also as important be sure you don't overload on the iron. Your doctor should schedule a follow up every 6 weeks, I believe. To draw blood and make sure it isn't out of control. You could also try speaking with a nutritionist to point you in the right direction as far as balancing out your iron intake and how to add the necessary foods to your diet.

Good Luck!

M. you didn't mention in your post as to whether it was an iron anemia or B anemia which makes a big difference as to how you should treat it. You can email me if you want. I have a bunch of info on both of them....

a quick fix while you revamp your diet etc (great advice from #1 and #2!): Nature's Way iron capsules have worked better than the cheaper/more normal solid iron pills, for me and a couple of friends I've recommended them to. They seem to absorb better (my energy got better, faster) and also cut down on the nausea the solid pills cause. (This nausea is why I end up recommending them ... women get prescribed "iron supplements" while pregnant and then can't keep them down ... doesn't do it!)

I would take a B-Complex (with vitamin C to assist the iron you take) and then a zinc, magnesium combo, usually calicium is added as well. All I wanted to do was take a nap immediately after waking and within 2 weeks of taking these two pills every morning I no longer have the need for a nap. Another bonus is zinc lessens the PMS symptoms too. Good luck, life is so much more difficult when you are tired all the time. K.

Yes, try some green powder to put into your drink that is loaded with great greens that give you energy and iron. One is called VitaGreen and sold in health food stores. Make sure you get a vitamin when you do that is plant based as it has more life energy and helps give you more vitality.

Doctors once recommended I take Slow Fe when my useable iron was low, which is iron that is slowly released into the system. It worked. You can find it in the drug stores near the supplements. It's a little pricey, but works.

My doctor prescribed Repliva for me and it cured my anemia fast!

make sure you get your b vitamins too - they help your body absorb iron.

Hi M.,
I have struggled with anemia myself and have found that the best thing around is whole foods that are rich in iron. Two years ago I discovered an amazing new nutrition concept, fruits and veggies in capsule form! Basically, you get the nutritional equivalent of 17 servings of fresh RAW fruits, veggies and grains in 4 little capsules a day. All for about $10/week. The company is called Juice Plus and I was so impressed with them that I am now also a wellness educator and distributor with the company. You can check out the product at www.juiceplus.com/+db35635. It is backed up by first class published research and is simple and affordable. We also have chewables and gummies for kids! I think it is the answer to your fatigue issues. Good luck!
D.

M., I also have dealt with anemia especially during my pregnancies. The only thing I found during that time that helped was a liquid supplement called Herbal Iron. The body absorbs liquid so much better than capsules or pills. I have since found out about the best supplement I have ever had called Reliv. They are powdered formulas some are patented, all are near pharmaceutical grade thus safe and effective. The first result I saw using the product was increased energy and easier time getting up in the morning as well as less food cravings! I had been taking high quality vitamins and extra c and e and a woman's hormonal herb supplement from Costco and more before Reliv. I love the fact that it is all balanced together in a way the body absorbs and uses it! My whole family has seen noticeable health improvements since using them the past 4 years such that I never want to stop and consider it the most important part of my food budget! We have become distributors and are helping others get the same wonderful results and helping people build home based businesses that want to as well. The reliv website is www.reliv.com Please get back with me for more information. I also can send you information on another website that has some great information about it. I love helping people with these products because I love seeing the quality of life improvements that happen when people get more optimal health!

____@____.com

Get MORE iron! Take an iron supplement every day. Also eat more rasins and red meats anything that has iron in it. You may also want to make sure your getting enough vit. D. My Dr. told me that folks in Oregon suffer from low "D" levels because we don't get enough SUN light. Low "D" levels can sap your strenght and make your bones and mussels ache. Good luck.
Mandy

Hi M.! You should be okay with any multivitamin out there as long as it has 100% Iron in it. The iron is what you are missing. And FYI...you can get you iron through eating dark green veggies and leafy greens as well as tuna. But you don't want to overdo the iron either! So I would start doing the multi-vitamin to get your iron levels back up, and get re-tested once you are feeling better, then you can phase out the multi-vitamin and start getting yoru iron through your food. You will feel so good! Good luck to you!

Hi M.,

I have gone to a Naturalpath in the past and have been perscribed injectable Vit. B12 or Vit. B Complex. I was turned on by a girl friend of mine. The first time I had a shot I could not believe how great I felt and the energy I had. Even my husband noticed. The thing that is great about injectable Vit. B is your body absorbes and processes it better then in pill form. The shots do not hurt trust me, I am a big baby and I don't even feel them. I hope this helps.

I have been taking nutritional supplements from Advocare since December and have never had so much energy and been so healthy! They have a complete line of products for wellness (multi-vitamins, etc.... even to help with sleeping, etc.) Active lifestyles, weight management, Performance (athletic performance, endurance, etc.) My favorite product is Spark- a vitamin-filled healthy energy drink that will truly change your life! If you want more information- let me know by reply:) Have a healthy day!

The best multi-vitamins just came out on July 1st, 2008. They are called 3Sixty5. They cost about $60 a bottle which will last all month. They are slightly more expensive because they are the best. I've taken them since July and I've noticed an increase in energy and a decrease in PMS cramping. They can be ordered on-line and shipped directly to your door. I order mine through SevenStarLife.com

Hope this helps.

Married mom of one 6yo boy. Married nearly 17 years,

Hi M.,
I have taken a food-based iron supplement for over a year (while I was pregnant and now nursing). It is called Floridix by Floravital. The nice thing about it being food-based is that it absorbs almost 100% unlike iron that might be prescribed by a doctor. Also, it is non-constipating. It is kind of expensive but for me it worked really fast to improve my iron count.
Good Luck

Fluoridex is a great liquid iron supplement. I've seen it at PCC in Seattle area.

M. - I have been taking a food form vitamin called Phytomatrix which is easily utilized by the body because it is food based. I also take PLUS which support my endrocrine system. I can handle stress much better, have more energy and PMS is much improved because how these support my body. These are not available in stores. If you want to read about the two I will e-mail you info. or a website. Try the two they are backed with research to be different from the many vitamins out there.

Hope I can help - W.

If your just anemic, then all you really need to take is Iron. As for a multi-vitamin, I highly suggest Nature Made's women's multi-daily vitamin. I have taken there prenatal vitamins for years because it's the only one that doesn't make me sick. I actually happen to be borderline anemic and deal with fatigue every now and again. Anyways, I hope that this helps you. Good luck.