[Monomer]

I had a blood test the other week after I went to the doctor with extreme fatigue and persistant headaches. The results I got back were good for blood cell count, liver function, kidney function and thyroid function, but my iron levels are very low. My doctor said to increase my consumption of red meat and green vegetables, and someone I work with said to drink orange juice, presumably because vitamin C increases iron absorption.

Apparently many people are iron deficient, so if you're one of them please share what you did to boost your levels.

[Johnson]

I used to take an iron supplement containing 15mg of Iron Phospate.

That might help.

Iron deficiency symptoms:

- Pale skin.
- White or brittle fingernails.
- Tiredness.
- Sleeplessness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Itchiness.
- Frequent Illnesses.

Main Functions:

- Boosts energy and reduces fatigue.
- Essential for healthy blood.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Healthy growth and development.

Sources:

- Fortified breakfast cereal
- Liver
- Dried fruit
- Sardines
- Canned Tuna
- Parsley
- Watercress

RDI: 14mg

[Michaelangelica]

I think you really have to take suppliments

I am told chelated iron is better absorbed and easier to take.

Iron deficiency is dangerous for the fetus in pregnancy; are you female?

My wife had problems when she was pregnant; the iron tabs reacted badly with her and she hates silver beet and could never eat enough spinach

The dietitian at the local hospital could give you some clues on foods with high iron (or the net)

There is no bleeding is there?
Are you taking aspirin, ibuprofin or blood thinners?

[LJP07]

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

I think you really have to take suppliments

Iron Deficiency is also called Sideropenia by the way.

Supplements would normally be recommended, ones such as Ferrous Sulfate, Chelate and Iron (II) Gluconate ( Fergon, and Simron ).

Red Meats and Green Vegetables are the natural sources, and also brown rice, Kidney Beans...,Potatoes, and peas are just to name a few.

Also, try to improve Iron intake through eating foods high in wheat/grain like Oatmeal etc.

This is all pointless and irrelevant unless you take in Ascorbic Acid C6H806 , which is a great antioxidant too. You'll find this vitamin in Oranges, actually all Citrus Fruits which are the best natural forms of it, many green vegetables also contain Vitamin C like Broccoli.

[ronthepon]

Oysters are pretty iron rich. Three ounces per day is enough for your needs.

[Monomer]

Wow, thanks for the information guys!

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

There is no bleeding is there?
Are you taking aspirin, ibuprofin or blood thinners?

I am female, but not pregnant. There's no bleeding, and my blood count is okay. Not taking anything that would thin my blood.

Originally Posted by Johnson

Iron deficiency symptoms:

- Pale skin.
- White or brittle fingernails.
- Tiredness.
- Sleeplessness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Itchiness.
- Frequent Illnesses.

Interesting list. I didn't realise that frequent illness is a sign of iron deficiency, but I mentioned to someone a couple of months ago that I've been quite ill lately - not severely ill, but many minor colds.

Originally Posted by LJP07

Red Meats and Green Vegetables are the natural sources, and also brown rice, Kidney Beans...,Potatoes, and peas are just to name a few.

Also, try to improve Iron intake through eating foods high in wheat/grain like Oatmeal etc.

This is all pointless and irrelevant unless you take in Ascorbic Acid C6H806 , which is a great antioxidant too. You'll find this vitamin in Oranges, actually all Citrus Fruits which are the best natural forms of it, many green vegetables also contain Vitamin C like Broccoli.

Originally Posted by ronthepon

Oysters are pretty iron rich. Three ounces per day is enough for your needs.

I thought my diet was quite good, but now I can see that it needs improvement! And I love all those foods you mentioned LJP07, but I don't know if I can eat the oysters, ronthepon, no matter how good they are for me!

[Racoon]

Originally Posted by Monomer

I had a blood test the other week after I went to the doctor with extreme fatigue and persistant headaches. The results I got back were good for blood cell count, liver function, kidney function and thyroid function, but my iron levels are very low. My doctor said to increase my consumption of red meat and green vegetables, and someone I work with said to drink orange juice, presumably because vitamin C increases iron absorption.

Apparently many people are iron deficient, so if you're one of them please share what you did to boost your levels.

I prolly wouldn't blame persistent headaches on iron deficiency , imho..
But women tend to be more iron deficient than men.
Perhaps through menstrual bleeding

Iron is easy enough to ingest.
Broccolli and steak
It takes months to rebuild your Iron levels.

ferrous sulfate supplements, but not on an empty stomach. Grapefruit juice increases absorbtion of minerals, so keep that in mind.

Otherwise, you're pretty good to go.

[InfiniteNow]

Monomer,

You're a well read and intelligent woman, so I suggest you may gain a lot of insight from reading the information available at the following link:

Iron

Originally Posted by Small excerpt from link above

The most common dietary deficiency worldwide is iron, affecting half a billion persons. However, this problem affects women and children more. A growing child is increasing the red blood cell mass, and needs additional iron. Women of reproductive age who are menstruating require double the amount of iron that men do, but normally the efficiency of iron absorbtion from the gastrointestinal tract can increase to meet this demand. Also, a developing fetus draws iron from the mother, totaling 200 to 300 mg at term, so extra iron is needed in pregnancy. An infant requires formula with 4 - 12 mg/L of iron. Iron in breast milk is more readily absorbed.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Racoon

I prolly wouldn't blame persistent headaches on iron deficiency , imho..

The doctor said (and I agree) that they were tension headaches. I've been a little stressed lately.

Originally Posted by Racoon

But women tend to be more iron deficient than men.
Perhaps through menstrual bleeding

Yeah, I'd say that would be the reason. Unless it's a serious wound, men never really lose blood.

Originally Posted by Racoon

Iron is easy enough to ingest.
Broccolli and steak
It takes months to rebuild your Iron levels.

Months? That's probably why I need another blood test in 6 months to check the levels.

Broccoli and steak... now I feel like eating a stir fry...

Originally Posted by Racoon

ferrous sulfate supplements, but not on an empty stomach. Grapefruit juice increases absorbtion of minerals, so keep that in mind.

Thanks for the info! I don't think I've ever tried grapefruit juice, but I'll give it a go.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Monomer,

You're a well read and intelligent woman, so I suggest you may gain a lot of insight from reading the information available at the following link:

Iron

Thanks InfiniteNow. It was interesting to read and I did gain a lot of insight. I know I learnt about iron in human physiology at uni, but that was many years ago now.


Here's some more information on iron:
WHFoods: iron