Multivitamin plus Iron

I suggest that if one has anemia they need a larger and more potent form of iron than that found in a multi-vitamin. I would ask my doctor or a pharmacist or a trained clerk in a health store for a recommendation.

My doctor just prescribed that I take two iron supplements a day for my anemia. He prescribes Polyride Fe 350mg because it is easier on the stomach.

What did your doctor recommend? Based on your bloodwork, the Dr. usually recommends what is needed. Sometimes you need more than just a multi +iron. I take Ferrosequals, over the counter and they are easy on the stomach.

Shaklee's Vita-lea with iron for women.
If you need immediate results, as Marda said, you probably need an additional iron supplement. I recommend Shaklee's Liqui lea. When I had open heart surgery, my hemocrit dropped very low and the doctor wanted me to have a transfusion. I asked if I could wait one day. I took 3 doses of Liqui Lea and my blood work was fine the next day. Another friend of mine also had great results when she had cervical surgery and passed a baseball sized blood clot.

Regarding Diane's comments, yes supplements, especially those purchased in a store, including health food stores, are usually not worth what you pay for and may cause harm. That is not the case with Shaklee. They have all the science done on their actual products to back up the safety and efficacy. Too bad people dismiss them without doing the homework--their loss.

I would get a doc recommendation as well. But I know when I was anemic I took something called ferro sequels (something like that). You'll definitely need a stool softener as well!

Be very careful about taking a vitamin pill, which is absorbed about 15-30% max. So somewhere between 70 and 85% of your money is being wasted and eliminated. (Reference: Physicians' Desk Reference and any of 20 studies of municipal water/sewer treatment systems showing high percentage of undigested pills.)

Also, science is pretty clear that individual nutrients (this vitamin, that mineral) are absolutely ineffective if consumed individually - so an iron supplement, or a vitamin D supplement or a you-name-it supplement are not well absorbed. Check with your doctor on how many nutrition courses he/she had in medical school or afterwards. The good ones will tell you honestly that they maybe had one at the most. They will tend to throw a quick solution at you to cover them from a malpractice standpoint, but if you ask them for an absorption study or new guidelines (not the 40 year old RDIs), they may not be able to produce anything.

I work with a lot of women who've suffered from anemia and who have taken every iron supplement you can name, as well as the usual over-the-counter or health food store multivitamins, with few if any results. It's very difficult to find something with enough absorption and enough of the other ingredients required for effectiveness.

You should look for a comprehensive formula (upwards of 70 ingredients even if you don't think those are your "issues"), a US government patent, clinical studies on the entire formula (not just an ingredient or two), high absorption (upwards of 90-95%), a powder that is mixed in water at the time of consumption (NOT a pre-mixed liquid, where the proteins break down over time), a guarantee, and free support from trained consultants. You want cellular nutrition - something absorbed quickly and working at the cellular level within about 20 minutes of ingestion. Let me know if you need more help.