Iron Supplement Questions

Killer_banana

I have Crohn's Disease which mainly affects my small intestine so my absorption levels are affected. Before I was diagnosed I was extremely sick aand was anaemic as I couldn't absorb iron. My doctor told me to take spatone but whenever I took it I got nausous and vomited (but then that happened with most things I consumed at the time). After my Crohn's was diagnosed and I was a lot better my doctor prescribed a iron tablet which I forget the name of. I was on it until my iron levels were normal and haven't take any iron supplements since.

I've recently gone vegetarian and although I know the vast majority of vegetarians don't need an iron supplement I'm thinking I might since my absorption rates aren't the same as the normal person. I know too much iron is dangerous so would it be better to take a multi vitamin which contains iron and only move on to a full iron supplement if I experience symptoms of anaemia? Also if I were to take an iron supplement what's the difference between iron tablets and spatone (iron rich water)? I've tried looking it up but the only information I'm finding is on spatone's own site so of course it's biased. I know the iron tablets I was on before were a lot higher in iron than spatone but I think they're meant to be taken for a shorter period of time. Also I know it's easier for the body to absorb iron from food sources than artificial ones. Spatone is water with naturally occurring iron so does that mean the body would absorb iron from it better than other types of supplements?

Thanks for your help in advance.

danlen

First question, are you male or female?

Are you actually currently diagnosed as iron-deficient anaemic? And if so, to what extent/stage?

If you truly need to increase iron intake or increase absorption there are a few things to keep in mind:

As a vegetarian you are cutting out a major source of quality iron from meat products, especially organ meat like liver. However, it doesn't mean you cannot meet iron needs sufficiently. The problem is though, that the majority of vegetarians have to rely on things like fortified breakfast cereals and products made from fortified flour. Both are crap overall tbh.

If your iron status is quite deplete your body will upregulate iron absorption potential in an effort to increase intake. However, I am not sure if your Crohn's will affect this. Check with a medical professional.

On a vegetarian diet it is easy to take in large amounts of phytic acid if you are eating alot of legumes/soya products. Phytic acid in an inhibitor of iron absorption. So just be careful the amounts/regularity of things like that.

Something to promote increased absorption would be vitamin C, so it might be worth considering a supplement, especially as there is no chance of vit C toxicity.

First though, address the two questions at the top before making any decisions. Keep your GP in the loop too.

Zombienosh

If you're looking for a good vegetarian multi vitamin check out solgar.