Iron deficiency

[FloppyDrooper]

I'm living abroad at the moment and not sure about some advice I received from the doc here. Been having v. heavy periods for the past couple of months and my iron levels are down (Total iron 7.1 umol/L, saturation 13%, ferritin 22 ng/mL). The docs has advised me to take 162mg iron supplements twice a day for 3 months. This sounds rather a lot, does this sound safe, I have no idea?

Yes sounds normal. Depends on the type of iron (ferrous sulphate, fumerate or gluconate). They all have slightly different doses.

I take 210g of ferrous fumerate twice a day.

I take 3 x 210mg a day, as prescribed by my doctor, so you’re fine with the advice given.

I currently have lower levels than you but the normal dose for my tablets is two or three a day to treat iron-deficiency anaemia.

Really sorry...I’m gonna sound like a poo troll now

But while taking the iron do you need a little extra help...and if so what do you take

Thanks so much, glad to hear it's ok, I knew Mumsnet would come to the rescue! It's a combo of ferrous fumarate 162mg, folic acid .75mg and B12 (cyanocobalamin) 7.5 mcg in each tab.