Iron supplements/foods

[natgl]

Im anemic, taking iron supplements (have been for 8 months) and still feel extremly tired, exhausted, no energy. Ive had blood work, i guess everything is ok I havent received a call from the doc yet. What I would like to know, is what foods do you eat or how do you get your iron intake? How do you battle lack of energy and fatigue?

 

[bigtruck]

get your self some guinness from your local liqor store. seriously they used to give it out in hospitals over here to patients who needed built up and women in the maternity ward. good luck

 

[DanSJVDavis]

My fatigue tends to come from a lack of B12, but that's because I had a section of my ileum taken out that is responsible for the absorption of B12 in the digestive tract. Sooo, as a byproduct, I don't absorb the stuff. I have to get/give myself periodic injections of B12.

Iron loss is a big problem with Crohn's in general. I know too much caffeine will leach iron, as well as certain Crohn's meds. Both Iron and B12 are needed to create healthy blood cells and being deficient in one of the other can both cause anemia.

As a side note, anyone on prednisone should watch their potassium levels because that one will leach potassium.

 

[natgl]

Thing is Ive been losing about 1/2 cup a day of blood for about 1 1/2 year. Sorry if TMI. I had blood work done about 8 months ago and since have been on iron supplements for low IRON. My count was at 21, Im not anemic but borderline my doctor said. Although, I recently had blood work done to check my B12, Iron and others... its been 1 1/2 weeks and no call from doctor, so I assume things are not bad. I take 1 capsule of Palafer 300 mg a day (at night), I told the doc my energy level lacked alot and Im wondering if my blood work comes out ok what could this be? I feel the same as before I was prescribed my iron supplements. No matter what I do, I cant seem to get my energy back up. I can be watching tv all day and its like I ran a marathon. I feel exhausted , no energy :eek2: I started taking Ensure, see if this will help a bit but maybe I should consume foods rich in Iron.

 

[Exodus]

Apples with honey = iron, be sure to chew very well.. B12 under the tongue, through the blood. You can find these specific suppliments at any local health food store, or on the internet. Hope this helps.:smile:

Basic grounding meditation is good as well,. =P

The book "Ask Your Angels", is a good source of information about meditation. sounds religious, but it's not really.

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Been considering meditation for a number of reasons, the biggest being focus. I've tried the sublingual B12, but it doesn't work near as well as an injection and sometimes irritates the area under my tongue.

 

[natgl]

get your self some guinness from your local liqor store. seriously they used to give it out in hospitals over here to patients who needed built up and women in the maternity ward. good luck

haha ok isnt alcohol bad for you if you have crohns.. and maternity ward alcohol huh what? lol

 

[teeny5]

How is your weight? If you are malnutritioned in general and underweight you will feel tired too. I felt better when I was taking liquid nutritional drinks like Ensure or Boost 3 times a day. It was the only way I could get enough food in me to feel better.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[forum contributor]

Hey, Natgl. No such thing as TMI on this forum!
I'm anemic as well. I take 2 iron supps/day. I had lost 3 units of blood from rectal ulcers. I still don't get enough iron in my food intake b/c I'm a picky vegetarian.

 

[natgl]

Hey, Natgl. No such thing as TMI on this forum!
I'm anemic as well. I take 2 iron supps/day. I had lost 3 units of blood from rectal ulcers. I still don't get enough iron in my food intake b/c I'm a picky vegetarian.

Well I was at 21 and a couple weeks ago got my blood test results and Im up 125 so I was told to quit my iron supplements. How do you know how much you lose blood? Ive told my GI I lose about 1/2 cup a day for 1 and a half year but if the colonoscopy im having still doesnt show anything I dont know what Im going to do.

 

[Procyon]

I swear by my cast-iron skillet. You can do pretty much anything with it. Like, even if you want toast, consider making it toasty with the skillet instead of a toaster.

Fish tend to be really iron-rich, if you can tolerate it. Or peanut butter. Or most lean red meats.

 

[forum contributor]

Well I was at 21 and a couple weeks ago got my blood test results and Im up 125 so I was told to quit my iron supplements. How do you know how much you lose blood? Ive told my GI I lose about 1/2 cup a day for 1 and a half year but if the colonoscopy im having still doesnt show anything I dont know what Im going to do.

I had my blood tested in June 2007 because of sudden migraines, and then when it was tested again, I was told that I had lost 3 units. 1/2 cup/day - that's not cool :confused2:

 

[Procyon]

I was reading the nutrition facts on my Corn Chex this morning. Apparently they're a pretty good source of iron. One cup with or without milk is 50% daily iron value. Which probably isn't enough for anyone with iron-deficiency problems, but if you eat a few cups worth, it would amount to some good iron.

 

[SilverWillow]

haha ok isnt alcohol bad for you if you have crohns.. and maternity ward alcohol huh what? lol

Tis true, many pregnant women still drink guiness to help with anaemia, in moderation of course.
I quite like a guiness and blackcurrant when feeling particularly run down it always seems to perk me up somewhat. As for the alcohol and crohns thing....technically speaking yes it should be bad for you but I think it depends on the individual. You know your own body, if you know you'll pay for drinking alcohol then don't have any. Personally i'm ok with small amounts of guiness during a flare. I'm talking like half a pint, if that.

Xxxx

 

[Wizbit]

Remember folks... vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so most fruits are helpful in that way.


BTW - too much iron is also bad for you!