Multivitamins for the permanently tired borderline anemic.

[Hoolahoophop]

I have been told I am borderline anemic by the GP. (ferritin was at 11 and 7 in two different tests i think)They prescribed 200mg a day ferrous sulphate.

I also suffer from constant mouth ulcers, fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, painful joints, headaches and brain fog. I am early 40s many symptoms vary with my cycle mood swings are now quite noticeable and my periods have changed, they are now very heavy with flooding in the first couple of days then spotting for at least a week. All this is getting me down and I am generally not as cheerful as I used to be.

I wanted to try some more vitamins. Have in the past taken high dose Vitamin D so will start that again.

I have heard that B12 can be useful, also magnesium or zinc have cropped up maybe.

Can anyone suggest combinations and strengths that have help them please.

Thanks.

Hey there,
I like the Burgerstein CELA, and B complex.
But some people cannot absorb vitamins when they come in this form, so it is a good idea to try a nutrient dense diet because the vitamins and minerals are generally better absorbed.
Nutrient dense foods: think fatty meat, eggs, organ meats, full fat dairy and oily fish.
If you want to go down a rabbit hole get a nutrient tracking app, like Chronometer, and by tracking what you eat, you can see what you might be missing.

Best of luck!
For me, liver twice a week has made a huge difference to my energy levels.

I was anaemic in my early 20's- mainly partying too hard, uni, work and just not eating enough meat. Not from heavy periods etc. Sorry, but you might already know this info, so ignore if that's the case.

Have you mentioned he periods to your GP? They might give you tranexamic acid or a pill/coil to make them lighter or stop. A hormone check for peri might be worth asking for too and thyroid levels. The periods need sorting, because any gains you make from iron meds are being lost every month.

I did a great deal of reading about anaemia. The ferrous sulphate dose is to slowly correct a deficiency. You will see people saying spatone/floradix are just as good- they aren't! I did the calculations once, and from memory, these contained about 200x less iron than the ferrous sulphate and even less than an over the counter multivit with iron!

Vit C helps to absorb iron whereas tannin rich food/drinks hinders absorption. Try having your meds with a glass of orange juice, or a Vit rich food like kiwis or peppers. I started eating liver and more red meat, because the body absorbs meat (haem) sources of iron easier than vegetable (non-haem) iron.

An algae called spirulina contains iron and can be used as a supplement, along with ferrous sulphate- not to replace it.

20yrs on, I eat a much more balanced diet. I also have a multivitamin which contains iron. Many vitamins are passed out if not needed by the body, so I'd be cautious about adding too many, unless you are actually deficient/have a poor diet. I'm not sure if that's helpful, but I hope you start to feel better soon.

These are all symptoms associated with low iron, a ferritin level of 7 or 11 is very low. Take the iron tablets on an empty stomach an hour after/ before tea and coffee with 1000mg of Vitamin C. I second the tranexamic acid advice. Its rough going with the iron but you'll feel great in a few months. Good luck.

I take gp prescribed iron tablets and then also from boots vit d spray and vit b12 spray and magnesium and general vit supplement. I think taking the iron, b12 and d has made a massive difference to my energy levels

Thank you, I have a basket full of vitamins at boots ready to check out.

Vitmins C, D, B12, Magnesium and Zinc as well as the ferrous sulphate.

Before I start taking them all (aside from the Iron) I am going to try to get a blood test done, so that I can do a before and after test to see if they make an difference to the numbers.

Also, to do that I will need a GP appointment and maybe they will suggest something for my periods as well.

Thanks for all the advice.

Zinc and copper impact each other so if you take zinc, you will deplete copper (which is needed for iron) you should aim for a 1-15 ratio 1mg copper for 15mg zinc

Iron uses b12, folate and vitamin d to make hemoglobin, so it may be wise to take vitamin d and a bcomplex.

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach when taken with vitamin c (1000mg to suppress hepcedin) and an hour before eating. If you take in the day, wait 2 hours after eating before taking iron

Vitamin d needs vitamin k2 to pull calcium to where it's needed. It also will use up magnesium, so take magnesium as well. K2 mk 4 is better, if taking mk7 try to get one that is all trans.

It's an absolute minefield when you start researching vitamin deficiencies and supplements.

If you experience digestive discomfort taking iron, probiotics may help, but if no relief is found, then you may have to change your iron type. Many do well on iron bisglycinate. You can take 5 x your body weight in kg elemental non heme iron or 400mg, whichever is lowest

My level was 11 too - back in August last year. This week's reading it was 30. I have been on 200mg twice a week and have to continue for another 2 months. Level should be between 30 and 328. So don't be fobbed off if you are not getting a good result after at least 6 months. My hair has grown back, dizzy spells, fainting, heart palpitations and restless arms and legs and shit sleep have totally gone.