to think that with diet changes I can increase my blood iron level enough in two weeks so I can donate blood?

[CliffordClaveland]

The last 2 times my iron level was not high enough and there's a '3 strikes and you're out policy' so my appointment in 2 weeks is my last chance.
What do I need to consume to boost my Iron levels?
I am taking regular multi-vitamins which include iron (bog-standard vitamins from Sainsburys)
My level(28) is not low enough to require seeing a doctor (32 I think).
Any suggestions appreciated cos' I feel good every time I give blood.
Thanks

yanbu - with diet improvements you can do this
yabu - no way jose

When did you last have it checked? I failed the three strikes by one point and am out for three years. I would have your levels checked or defer the appointment until fairly certain.

Take iron supplements! Available over the counter. Floradix is good as it doesn't cause so many tummy upsets as the usual capsules.

I was on 114, banned for a year, then 118 a year later, banned for 3 months. Waited 9 months and took high dosage supplements, 124 and out . (115+ was normal, 125+ required by blood bank, not sure what your numbers are).

Sorry, I should have said, I'm a man so the threshold is higher for men, 32 I think.
If I started identifying as a woman I'd be fine as the threshold is 25 ... there's a thought.

Iron isn’t absorbed very well by the body via supplements and taking high doses can disrupt the uptake of other nutrients so don’t be tempted to load up on over-the-counter meds (also likely to make you epically constipated!). It’s much better absorbed via food, and make sure you’re also getting lots of vitamin C. There’s a list of foods and their iron content here: www.swft.nhs.uk/application/files/4214/7566/2140/How_to_Increase_Your_Iron_Intake_A4_2015.pdf

Red meat, spinach, broccoli, lentils and Sundried tomatoes! Helped my son through post viral anaemia with no supplements, but no idea if that will do the trick with an adult.

There's really no need to prescribe how people should answer you by using the VOTE function. Just ask for opinions - which you already did.

I suffered from low iron during pregnancy, I wanted to manage it as much as I could by diet, so the list above should be a good place to start. Also if your eating iron rich foods, drink orange juice with them as it doubles the iron intake from the food.

I should have said it's about 4 months since I last tried as they block you from trying for 3 months when you don't meet the threshold.

Do you drink tea? It can inhibit iron absorption.

I donate blood, and my iron levels are always fine - I'm female though. I do eat a lot of leafy green veg (min 4 portions a day), quite a bit of red meat, and a lot of dairy (calcium helps with iron absorption I believe?)

Moving it enough in two weeks might be a bit over-optimistic.

When this happened to be, the vampire recommended Floradix. It did the trick, but that was after taking regularly for the whole time between goes (8 weeks? 12?)

BTW - if you try this get the tablets. The liquid always tastes a bit like the smell of a compost bin

The levels currently required are 125g/l for women and 135g/l for men.

Hope you get it sorted, we don't want to lose any donors. It's taken me ages to help DS get his first appointment, which will be in August, 7 months after his 17th birthday. Seems we have a shortage of suitable locations in town as they're all being taken up for things relating to covid.

I think get some iron supplements. You can get them OTC from the chemist. There won't be enough in a multi vitamin. Is it actually iron they measure or red blood cells? It takes longer to get red cells up, I don't think 2 weeks would be long enough. Be careful though as iron is poisonous in excess

@YourSexNotGenderIsOnFire
"Do you drink tea? It can inhibit iron absorption"

I did know that so I gave up tea about 6 months ago but it didn't seem to have any impact the last time I tried.

Stir torn up kale /spinach into pasta sauce or risotto.
IIRC vitamin c improves iron absorption.

If you're willing to eat it, liver is probably the best food source of iron.

thanks @TurquoiseDragon
"The levels currently required are 125g/l for women and 135g/l for men."

So I missed the first digit, I think I was 128 so need to get to 135.
Black pudding, eggs and baked beans for lunch every day washed down by a spinach smoothie.

Cereals that are fortified with iron might help. With a glass of OJ. When I was pregnant I ate tons of shreddies and the midwife said I had the highest iron levels she had ever seen.
Good luck

Took me a year of high dose iron tablets to raise mine significantly

Go to a doctor, they'll prescribe you a better iron supplement than OTC. Sister had iron issues and was on otc one and was shocking the level in them compared to prescribed. Also gp can tell you the exact amount, so many issues with taking the wrong level and actually it's better you sort out why it's low

Ps I feel your pain, can't donate due to low end bp. Turned away 4 times now

I had to get my iron levels up quickly a few years ago, it was like a military operation. The problem with supplements is absorbing the iron in them. The rules are: 1) You need to take iron in the presence of vitamin C to boost absorption. 2) You need to take in iron at a different time to dairy products and tea, as they basically stop all absorption. So no tea or dairy products an hour before you take iron, or for 30 mins afterwards.

Spatone water is your friend. My doctor recommended it, you can get it from chemists. I used to set my alarm early, then have a sachet of Spatone water in a glass of orange juice. Then go back to sleep for a while before eating breakfast. Then a prescribed tablet about 3pm (with orange juice), and another Spatone sachet (with a kiwi fruit - very high in vitamin C) before bed. It quickly started to make a difference.

So I was completely wrong about the dairy then! 😆