If you have low iron do over the counter supplements work?

[BobbyBearsAll]

I have had some hair loss gradually over a year or so. No one can see except me- my parting is a bit wider and I lose stray hairs all the time, especially when I comb out after washing.

I'm on HRT which gives me a 'period' (false period) and lose quite a bit of blood. I rarely eat red meat- maybe once a week or less. I've recently increased this amount and also tuck into high iron vegs.

I don't 'feel' unwell, but I've begun to wonder if my ferritin levels are low.

I could ask my consultant to check my bloods, but meanwhile for around a month I've been taking Floradix and Spatone. (I have read that the max amount of iron daily in supplements is 48mgs and I'm nowhere near that.)

Question is- would this OTC supplement be enough because I've read here that women are prescribed 200mgs for anaemia.

Iron is tricky and I wouldn't supplement without a blood test. Having too much iron can be dangerous.
I eat plant-based only so at the beginning I became deficient, then over-corrected it and now I think I can manage it. I tried spatone, the iron fish, but now I supplement in the evening if I know I haven't had many iron rich food.
I have also learned that tea and coffee basically block iron absorption, so I tend to have my iron rich food in the evening when I don't have any tea or coffee , even decaf.

I agree it would be a good idea to get your levels checked. Then the best versions I've found are the liquid forms like Floradix or Ferroglobin. Not so keen on spatone if you need to get levels up. It's a bit weak.