Hemoglobin results

hondagirl · ‎07-07-2012

My test came back 11.6,,, Dr. says to take iron pills... Does anyone have info on taking these supplements and any side effects. I haven't purchased them yet but told to take one on Monday and another on Friday...

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

I read something the other day about taking iron pills. I think there is some negative things, about them, they have discovered recently

I can't recall what it was. Google will help you

IMW · ‎06-15-2014

Can cause severe constipation. Also difficult to absorb iron. Look up and eat iron rich foods.

Good luck

kitcat51 · ‎09-15-2016

I take 2 iron pills a day down from 4, taking 4 bothered my stomach but I manage 2 fine...I'm grateful I don't need iron infusions. **Don't be alarmed about what is written here, I take lots of iron because that's what my body needs. Taking 2 pills a week, I don't think you'll notice anything. Your Dr will have you take a blood test to see if the iron pills are working & the pill amount may increase, decrease or stop. I have a blood test every 6 months & my count varies from 12 to 13. I drink a glass of water with each pill & found taking them at night works best for me & I avoid the 1hr before & 2hrs after drink & food issues. I buy coated slow release iron pills & they help with stomach upsets, if you have constipation Senokot works great. Hope your iron issue is resolved quickly, be well.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

Can cause stomach upset or constipation. Do not take with dairy or antacids or anything containing calcium. Vitamin C can actually help absorption so you can take with a little bit of orange juice. Take with a little bit of food to help stomach upset. Drink fluids to help with any constipation.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

It can be toxic if you over dose

The Dark Side of Iron - Why Too Much is Harmful

Iron is an essential mineral.

However, like many other nutrients, it is harmful in high amounts.

In fact, iron is so toxic that its absorption from the digestive tract is tightly controlled.

For the most part, this minimizes the harmful effects of excess iron.

It is when these safety mechanisms fail that health issues arise.

This article discusses the potentially harmful effects of consuming too much iron.

What is Iron?

Iron is an essential dietary mineral, mostly used by red blood cells.

It is a crucial part of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for delivering oxygen to all of the body's cells.

There are two types of dietary iron:

Heme iron: This type of iron is only found in animal foods, mostly in red meat. It is absorbed more easily than non-heme iron.
Non-heme iron: Most dietary iron is in the non-heme form. It is found in both animals and plants. Its absorption can be enhanced with organic acids, such as vitamin C, but is decreased by plant compounds like phytate.

People who get little or no heme iron in their diet are at an increased risk of iron deficiency (1, 2).

Many people are iron deficient, especially women. In fact, iron deficiency is the world's most common mineral deficiency (3).

BOTTOM LINE:Iron is an essential dietary mineral that plays an important role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency is common among women.

Regulation of Iron Stores

There are two reasons why iron levels are tightly regulated within the body:

Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many basic body functions, so we must get a small amount.
High levels of iron are potentially toxic, so we should avoid getting too much.

The body regulates iron levels by adjusting the rate of iron absorption from the digestive tract.

Hepcidin, the body's iron-regulatory hormone, is responsible for keeping iron stores in balance. Its main function is to suppress the absorption of iron.

Basically, this is how it works (4):

High iron stores -> Levels of hepcidin increase -> Iron absorption decreases.
Low iron stores -> Levels of hepcidin decrease -> Iron absorption increases.

Most of the time, this system works quite well. However, a few disorders that suppress hepcidin production can lead to iron overload.

On the other hand, conditions that stimulate hepcidin formation may cause iron deficiency.

Iron balance is also affected by the amount of iron in our diet. Over time, diets low in iron may cause a deficiency. Likewise, an overdose of iron supplements may cause severe iron poisoning.

BOTTOM LINE:The rate of iron absorption from the digestive tract is tightly regulated by the hormone hepcidin. However, several iron overload disorders may disrupt this fragile balance.

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

Many foods, and my water are full of iron.

Since you're already at 11.6 and he's only asking you to take two a week, I'd guess he's watching for something else, and how it responds to a predictable, controlled increase in iron.

I never had any negative side effects from daily iron.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

You can always move to a higher altitude. Here in my state of Colorado people have an abundance of HGB because of the altitude. Iron pills don''t sell too well here. But if you have to take them, be sure to take them with your vitaminC for better absorption.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@hondagirl

I have had many Iron Infusions, and tons of blood transfusions. Some because of being Anemic from blood loss, others because my Iron Ferritin Levels were/are way too low.

The only thing that helps keep both my Hemoglobin(14 and above) and Iron Ferritin Levels(higher than 32) in a good range for me, has been the Vitamin B-12 Injection 1 time a month.

For many an 11.6 Hemoglobin is a low number, for some they are happy with that number, as are their doctors. Even higher Hemoglobin numbers(for me like a 13.5), does not correlate with not needing an Iron Infusion. I've needed them with my Hemoglobin numbers low and good, for me anyways.

Never taken Iron Supplements, but I do know that some people(my wife for 1) that cannot tolerate even a low dosage number. She too gets Iron Infusions when her Iron Ferritin levels get too low, and she also gets a monthly B-12 shot.

hn

hckynut(john)