Iron tablets not raising my iron after four months! Anyone had this ?

[kissmelittleass]

Had a fbc back in October and was told to take Galfer 305mg one daily for one month to see if it helped and to come back for a repeat blood test in one month. My level at this stage was 11.7
November fbc showed it was still 11.7 so hadn't risen but doctor said it wasn't low and not going down so to stay on the tablets same dose for three months and to come back for repeat blood test then.
So beginning of March I had a fbc again and rang for results Friday to be told by nurse that my level is still 11.7!! Told me to continue on tablets and as our surgery is only open for emergencies at moment that the doctor will ring me to discuss one day.
So why has my iron level not risen? Any ideas?
Background info.. I'm 51 , no periods, I am near enough vegan but I do eat live yogurt a few times a week. A lot of green veg I can't eat as I have terrible pains and wind after eating but I do eat green beans, lettuce leafs green apples, nuts and seeds. I also drink kefir some times.
I have just started this weekend to take my iron tablets with a small glass of orange juice just to see if this will help.

[kissmelittleass]

@slowco4ch Thanks for advice!

[underneaththeash]

OP - Iron tablets often aren't absorbed well.

You need to find ways to increase your iron within your diet, so lentils, soybeans, tofu - if you google how much of the DV they each contain for a few days, you can measure portion sizes etc until you get an idea of how much you need. Try and have an egg every day.

Ultimately though, vegan diets (especially when you're restricted on the amount of veg you eat) often don't contain the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals for most people and you may just need to eat some fish or meat occasionally to keep you healthy.

[kissmelittleass]

@underneaththeash I've been a vegetarian/vegan since 1993! There is no absolute way on earth I would eat meat or fish for my own personal reasons that I don't believe animals are there to be eaten!! but that is another subject!

[underneaththeash]

@kissmelittleass that may be your belief, but we are omnivores who need a certain range of nutrients and minerals to be healthy.
Its a bit like saying dogs can eat only veggies or cows can eat meat!

[lborgia]

I was seen by a haematologist who said that if your b12 was fine, then you're getting enough of the right sorts of food, just not absorbing iron.

I second giving spatone or pregnancy supplements a go, but the only thing that worked for me is infusions.

Oh, and weetabix is a shockingly old fashioned concept. There's so much fibre in there the amount of available iron would be very low. Fibre binds with iron, making it far less helpful .

[kissmelittleass]

@lborgia Thanks!! I'll
give Spatone a go see if that helps!

[kissmelittleass]

Just a question about spatone if anyone knows?
I had a look today but didn't buy it because the Galfer tablets the doctor prescribed are 305mg one a day which as I've said hasn't risen my levels after four months of being on them. The spatone has 5mg a sachet so that is extremely low and not going to help raise my levels if the 305mg tablet can't?? Any ideas?

[Wereonabearhunt]

Have you been tested for coeliac? My cousin had a very similar story and it turned out she is coeliac (with ZERO abdo issues and a high gluten diet i'll add) and it was stopping the iron absorption. Since following a gluten free diet her bloodwork comes back almost perfect

[lborgia]

Sorry if I didn’t mention this earlier, I did write it all out in a previous thread... maybe you can find it.

Essentially, the kind of iron in normal supplements is like trying to absorb minerals from a rock. Only a tiny amount is actually absorbed by the body. With spatone (and meat for example) it has a much much higher % of “bioavailable” iron, so there may be a lot less in it, but you’re absorbing a much greater part of it.

Cannot remember the numbers I had, but with spatone you can take it up to 3 sachets a day, I’d take it away from food, but in juice/vitamin c.

HTH.

[kissmelittleass]

@lborgia Thank You so much for that info!