Vitamins, etc.

[cheerigirl]

Can you please comment on the following:

I have recently been tested for anemia with the following results:

Hemoglobin  12.7    (11.7-15.5)
Hematocrit    36.7   (35.0-45.0)

Total iron      43   (40-175)
Iron Binding  279  (250-450)
% Sat           15   (15-50)
Ferritin           29  (10-232)

So while not anemic, I am wondering about iron deficiency as both my iron and ferritin are at the lowest end of the range and the % saturation is the lowest value in range.

It is my understaning that the hemoglobin and hematocrit are the last to drop and the low iron/ferritin are the precursors to anemia.

I am open to any and all comment.  Thank you.

[Renee Radenberg]

Women have a higher demand for iron then men due to monthly menstrual flow. There are 2 types of iron in our food sources, Heme iron and Non-Heme iron. Heme iron is from animal sources and Non-Heme is plant sources. Non-Heme iron has more iron then Heme iron , however, it does not absorbed well into our bodies so it is important to eat foods with Vitamin C and Heme iron foods to enhance absorption. For example, chicken with beans and a fresh orange; drink orange juice with the iron supplement; or have mashed potatoes with meat at a meal. You are within normal range and suggest getting your Iron from food sources. High Iron food sources are all meats, fish, dark green vegetables, beans, enriched rice (cooked), enriched pastas (cooked), and whole wheat breads.

[FurballsMom]

I've experienced lower iron deficiency than what you're talking about.  I'm unable to take prescription iron tablets, so I ended up going to get chelated iron, taking the amount I was told to take at the time.  Then, later on when my levels were at the low level of normal, I was told to only take the RDA amount of iron, which is 25-30 mg.  Gentle Iron by Solar and Easy Iron by Country Life are good iron supplements that don't cause nausea, even in someone as sensitive as I am.  A lot of people have trouble using the prescription iron supplements.