Iron issues

[LewisS]

I was prescribed iron back in May for mild anemia associated with my IBD. Ever since I have noticed that when I do take them, my symptoms worsen which is think is due to the constipating effect iron has. I've also read somewhere that iron can cause bleeding in the GI tract.

During my colonoscopy prep I wasn't able to take iron and noticed an improvement in my symptoms. I have tried various forms (apart from food sources); ferrous sulphate (the worst!), slow-release and liquid.

Since my anemia is mild, would it be worth putting it to the test again for a week or so and see if my symptoms change at all? I'm also on B12 for the anemia which don't seem to have any negative sides when taken alone.

Thank you!

 

[tzvia]

If iron pills upset your gut, can you try getting your iron from iron rich foods instead? Or possibly having an injection on iron?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I was told iron pills are inflammatory. I had to get infusions for my anemia. I agree if it's mild maybe you can try boosting food sources of iron.

 

[LewisS]

Thanks. Gonna bring it up in my next appointment on Tues. I'll just say I had to stop taking them because of the pain. Not sure about the B12, I've continued that without any problems.

 

[SaMay]

Hi,

I have Crohn's and Colitis. I had a severe iron deficiency which was causing me to feel very cold in the middle of summer (I ran my heating unit under my desk at work all day long) and reduced my energy level considerably. I could not tolerate iron supplements of any kind. After my first iron infusion, I felt 100% better. I could deal with my other Crohn's/Colitis health issues.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

B12 is totally fine to take but whether you absorb it is another story. You can do sublingual b12 which bypasses much of the gi tract. It's safe and you easily excrete b12 not being used.

 

[Snitzer1]

I have severe anemia from my Colonic Crohn's.
When my GI did my Colonscopy it looked like a pizza.

I've been taking Solgar's Gentle Iron 2 capsule a day in addition to eating Iron-rich foods such as organ meats, beets, ect.

It can take MONTHS for low Iron levels to get within the normal range.

My Iron levels were BELOW the lowest numbers (esp for a male) and even with new meds and supplements after ONE MONTH I'm JUST at the lowest end but at least within the "normal" range.

I don't freeze my @$$ off like I used to around air conditioning.

But please be patient. Its not like Popeye and his spinach!

 

[alex_chris]

Iron deficiency is something I have had problems with for years but got it under control (finally...) two years ago.

On the supplements (pills) I probably tried 6 different brands between 2006 and 2011 when I finally found pills that helped to effectively supplement iron and did not have any inflammatory qualities. Honestly, it took forever to find them. They are called Tardyferon, a French irom supplement, not sure whether they are available where you live. In addition, I also found liquid iron supplements (Loesferon) but had to learn the hard way that the instructions on how much water one solvable tablet required - basically I needed to add 4 times the amount of water, in total about one litre per tablet instead of the recommended 250ml to have this one not get me into trouble.

So, currently my irom levels are stellar, my Hemoglobin is in the 16.5 range which is amazing. I also take B12 supplements (they are part of a magnesium tab I use daily). But in most cases B12 subs don't help with anemia, for IBD it is mostly the iron that is the trouble.

As to eating iron intense foods, while this is an interesting suggestion, for IBD patients it does not help - the problem is that the intestine need several times the amount of iron mixed in your food than what normal food has to take in enough to get to normal levels.

Lastly, have you tried iron infusions or iron IV shots? I have done that when I had very low levels and it helps in the short term.

 

[Snitzer1]

I did not know about the supplements you mentioned so thanks very much.


Neither my GI or primary told me about Iron shots.
My GI did ask me if I was taking Iron supplements.

 

[Snitzer1]

It does help a lot. Thanks again.

I don't want to take this thread off-topic but are there any more supplements you would recommend for Crohn's?

In addition to my Iron I currently take:

Fish oil,
Vitamin D3
Vitamin B12
Multivitamin
Chorella, Spirulina

 

[Snitzer1]

I'm grateful for all of the extra information-Its much more helpful to get a more holistic idea of how to treat a disorder instead of just the supplements.

I practice mindfulness meditation but will look into TM;Is TM superior to mindfulness meditation or should the type/school of meditation be geared more towards the individual's personality?

I've heard of Eckhart Tolle and his positive attitude approach.

My insurance does not cover D3 levels in my blood tests however I take 5,000 IUs of D3 a day. I have never taken Vitamin K2 in supplemental form but will try it if it works synergistically(SP) with the D3.

Not to inundate you with questions but four months before my Crohn's flareup someone very close to me died. I keep everything "bottled up";Inside.

In your opinion do you think its possible that I had a "delayed stress reaction" to this person's death that MAY have caused my Crohn's flareup four months after they died?

I did not run this by my GI as good as he is, he focuses on the purely physical aspects of Gastroenterology.




Thanks again!

 

[SmellyMelly]

Iron absorbs better if taken with Vitamin C.

And that way you could take less iron, and so less likely to upset you:

http://www.chpcanada.ca/en/blog/does-vitamin-c-increase-iron-absorption

 

[SmellyMelly]

but four months before my Crohn's flareup someone very close to me died. I keep everything "bottled up";Inside.

You may be interested in a new documentary called : The Connection

https://www.theconnection.tv

The Connection:

"A documentary that uncovers the latest science in mind body medicine, and proves we have more to say about our health than we thought".