Low iron and trying to conceive

[SuiGeneris]

Does anyone know about the effect of low iron (but no anaemia) on the chances of conception, please? I had a set of blood tests done recently (for non-ttc-related matters) and they came back all clear/fine except iron stores were low (at 9, where the normal range is 14.5 to 34, I am told).
The GP I saw (a trainee, but she is supposed to be very good) said she did not think supplements were necessary, but I am not sure she took the ttc'ing into account. Also, I have been taking a pre-conception supplement with 100%RDA iron for 6+months and despite that my iron stores were low. A relative, who is also a doc, recommends iron supplement because she says I will otherwise feel the tiredness, despite lack of anaemia. I am slightly concerned that if I take the iron tablets, than I cannot take the other preconception tablet, which has all sorts of minerals that the two "get pregnant fast" books I have read say are important for conception (I would of course still take the folic acid). Any views/suggestions gratefully received. And sorry for the ramble, am rather new to MN...

The preconception tablets have iron in them. You shouldn't take an additional iron supplement with them.

But you could spend 3-4 wks taking iron supplements with vitamin C, get yourself feeling stronger and less tired and then switch to the pregnacare tablets.

I was anemic (9 in fact) and perscribed very strong iron supplements + vitamin C tablets (to help absorbtion) and I got some stomach problems as the iron levels were so high, but by god I felt better fast (within about 10 days).

I stopped them when ttc and then started pregnacare immediately (got preg immediately - so the anemia was resolved and I doubt had any effect on actually conceiving).

But you can get anaemic during pregnancy so best sort it first, if that makes sense?

It makes a lot of sense, thank you. Good to know the iron tablets work quickly too. I have been taking them plus folic acid for a week now (pregnacare box was finished, iron tablets an folate handy and work manic) so with any luck will feel the effects soon. I have not done the vit c stuff, but will try to down the iron tablets with grapefruit juice and see...

No problem.
I forgot to mention, there are foods and drinks which you crave when anaemic which are actually iron depleting.

red wine, chocolate icecream (or chocolate anything) and coffee

so cut down on those if you've been needing to consume them

and good luck on the conception front. I hope its not too long.

MrsTiddles - I've never heard of foods being iron-depleting, can you explain further please?

Thats all I know. When I was anaemic this is what the doctor told me, and I was in fact guzzling red wine (that can MAKE you anaemic apparently) and hoovering down chocolate icecream!

hmmm
well chocolate contains iron

drinking tea will reduce your absorption of iron from food

never heard anything about coffee or wine though

well I'm glad to be of help but you're probably better off talking to the experts if you want to know more. I can only tell you about my very limited experience.

Thank you both, will keep fingers crossed and stay off the tea etc...