Low Ferritin levels - What is the best way of boosting them quickly

[snowaddict]

I'm taking iron tablets but don't tend to eat a more than one portion of red meat a week. I love chicken and fish. Level is 18 - Should be around 50/70.

Also I drink quite a lot of coffee - Usually 2 cups and day and usually one cup of tea.

I have read that this can slow down absorption of the iron. I have had these problem for a number of years now and still no answers hence my other question/test.

Any experiences. Thanks

[greycircles]

The thing with the tea is not to drink it near eating, it does hinder iron absorption.

The iron tablets can be taken in different doses. Might upping the dose be an option?

Iron also in dried apricots (I think!).

[HoneyDuke]

Drink Orange juice with your iron supplement. Vit c helps iron absorption.

[javo]

Hi - I too have struggled on and off with low ferritin. The iron supplements are a good way to boost it quickly but they can make you constipated so drink plenty of water or change to a liquid one if that happens. If your ferritin gets too low you can have injections.

Tea and coffee can interfere with iron absorption if drunk with your food - so you could cut them out (drink caffeine free tea usch as redbush instead) or make sure you don't drink them with food.

Good food sources of iron are - red meat and chicken. which you already eat. Kale is very high in iron and broccoli, asparagus and chinese greens are good too. Spinach is less good as it contains oxalates that make the iron hard to absorb - vitamin C from juice etc can help counter this as vitamin c helps the iron to be absorbed. Nuts are also good - cashews and pistachios and dried fruit such as apricots and peaches are also high in iron. Ground ginger and curry powder also contain iron - a teaspoon has about 1mg. Seeds are great such as sesame, pumpkin and flax and can be sprinkled on cereal. Oatmeal (porridge) is good - I usually have it with dried fruit and lots of seeds. lentils, kidney beans, quinoa are also good. Fortified commercial cereals such as special K have iron added - check for ones with high amounts.

Good luck

[snowaddict]

Thanks everyone, I might look into the liquid iron then just as an alternative and stock up on juice.

[Jules125]

I've been doing the liquid iron with Vit C (orange juice) for two months now and its really helped. (my ferritin levels were at 7 - I was tired and could not exercise - now I'm running up to 4 miles again!) I was on tablets before that with little benefit. Its quite expensive but worth it!

[snowaddict]

Thanks Jules. Is it possible not possible to get liquid iron on prescription.

[Jules125]

it might be - depending on your GP. But most prefer to prescribe the tablets which are much cheaper. Worth a try I guess though.

[ihatethecold]

i have ferroglobin, which doesnt give me any side effects. its a liquid supplement, costs about a fiver and lasts me about 2 months as i dont take as much as the dosage says. i usually have about 5-10 mls a day