Ferrous Gluconate for Iron Deficiency

[hippie4lyfe]

Hopefully I am getting to the bottom of whats causing this serious fatigue, my doctor said I was slightly anemic. He told me to take 325mg of ferrous gluconate. What confuses me is the box I got at the local drugstore says 325mg (5 grains) but the amount per serving says 36 mg. The guy at the pharmacy said something about how it was 325mg but blah blah blah and I didn't understand him.

I really need a high dose iron supplement to correct the anemia so I hope this is not 36mg and it is the right amount. Has anyone had iron deficiency and could enlighten me? Thanks to god for this forum.

Love,
Eric

 

[hippie4lyfe]

Also for anyone who has had anemia or knows anything about it. How long should it take to start feeling relief from the fatigue, dizziness, sleepiness, and general feeling of I am gonna fall down.

 

[katiesue1506]

It depends. You won't be automatically cured, it will just get a little better day by day. Also, make sure your vitamin B12 levels are okay. If they aren't and you are just using iron to cure the anemia, the B12 part will still be causing fatigue.

I take 325mg of ferrous sulfate a day.

 

[hippie4lyfe]

thanks katie, the doctor said it was just iron level that was the problem.

i dont mean to act like a child but im gonna ask it anyway.

how long do you think it will take, not to fix, but to start feeling like im not gonna fall.

i feel silly asking because everyone is different, im asking out of desperation since i cant function and have basically been disabled here. going out to get the iron was a trip for me. so i hope that i will see my energy levels go up soon, i understand its day by day. i cant wait much longer!

also how does it effect your stomach? i read iron in high doses creates inflammation especially more so in ppl with CD and UC.

 

[katiesue1506]

I would definitely take it with food. My doctor told me to even though the bottle says to take it on an empty stomach. Also don't take it with or anywhere near orange juice. The two combined make an explosion of pain in the tummy.

Oh and timewise... I would say after a week you should notice subtle effects. Maybe the fact that you can walk longer or go up stairs easier... or can miss a nap or two during the day.

 

[hippie4lyfe]

thanks katie, its good to have some frame of reference timewise. i am only slightly anemic so maybe ill come back to normal faster. the iron deficiency coupled with weaning off of prednisone is a bitch to say the least.

 

[Babe123]

i was anemiac jsut before christams. my blood was down to 8! it was touch and go wether i would need a transfusion but i awas put on 3 iron tabs a day. i started to feel better after about 2 weeks but i did nothing but sleep
x

 

[hippie4lyfe]

babe- you kept sleeping after you were put on the iron?