RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Hi Shane,

I'm in exactly the same boat at the moment. Mine is caused by Colitis, which is a bowel disease that causes malabsorption and internal bleeding. I can't take any of the oral pills/liquids they prescribe as they make me extremely ill. I was told a couple of months ago that I may need a blood transfusion, but I thought I'd try and get it sorted myself.

I'm taking a supplement called Spatone. It comes from a natural water supply from Wales which is rich in easily absorbed iron. It comes in sachets, boxes of 28. I take two a day, with the occasional day off. It seems to be a lot gentler on the stomach than the stuff you get prescribed. Give it a go. You can get it from health food shops and some chemists, or you can order it online. I did try Floradix, but that didn't feel as if it was doing anything. Plus, it wasn't convenient to take, you have to keep it refrigerated.

The other option is to ask about injections.

It's the pits being anaemic, isn't it?

Tiger.

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

It may simply be that

Ferrous Sulphate

is an inorganic form of iron, so not easily available to the body, but this should be less of a problem with Gluconate. so it does sound that you may actually be intolerant, sensitive or even allergic to iron. [:o]

I accept that may sound a bit bizarre as it is an essential mineral, but oddly it's not uncommon. Suggest you have a look on the Allergies subforum under ailments.

Are you veggie? [sm=scratchchin.gif]

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

I've had low grade anaemia for many years, but it's usually stabilised at a manageable level for me, without having to take iron supplements.
When my levels have dropped in the past then the docs have tried various iron preps, starting at the cheapest and more crude forms, but most preps have had awful side effects: gastric and nausea problems

Then recently thought I'd try a prep of ferrous glycine sulphate (touted to help hair and nails as well) so I thought I'd give it a go ....
And yes, sure enough diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

Did a quick check and found out it should be used with caution in inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
And I was diagnosed as having mild colitis about three years ago.
I'm really mad about it because I'm still having mild gastric problems four weeks on[:@]
The company were very sympathetic and apologised (they didn't label their product with a warning) and needless to say I was refunded.

I'm determined not to be medicated again so I'm taking a Marshmallow and Gamma Oryzanol Formula with plant enzymes, to help the colon and digestion process:

Information
Marshmallow and Gamma Oryzanol is a formula designed to soothe the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, combined with plant enzymes to aid in effective digestion.
Marshmallow has been shown to have soothing and healing properties upon the epithelial tissue lining the gastrointestinal tract.
Slippery elm is a soothing nutritive demulcent. It helps to buffer the membranes of the intestinal lining from irritation from foods and assists the passage of foods through the intestines. It may also help to support the healing process of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gamma oryzanol (natural extract of rice bran oil) is traditionally used to help sooth the lining of the stomach and may assist in the stimulation of gastric (stomach) secretions including digestive enzymes.

and can be purchased from here

It has eased enormously so I'll stick at this formula for some time yet to give it a chance, along with some dietary restrictions...

Meanwhile I'm not taking any iron preps until the colon is healed of the inflammation. If my iron levels have dropped again since all this has happened then I will consider iron injections in the interim (the docs did suggest this to me some time ago)

I've not heard of the supplement Spatone Tigerlily, please let us know how you get on with it in terms of raising your iron levels.

love and healing
astra

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Dear Astra

Spatone is a liquid supplement, so I think the iron it is in the form of a colloid. Smaller particles than in a suspension & larger than a dilution.

It's possible that your system is adverse to iron it's not uncommon & there may well be other factors that are aggravating your colon.

You may not have considered it & I can explain the related immune physiology, but please consider taking a look in the Allergies Forum.

Namaste - And.

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

what's the problem with aenemia actualy?
is there some symptome or disease related?
i'm supposed to have sort of it, since maybe 6month, then i've never been so healthy ^_^;;

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

There are various forms of anaemia, another main one is megaloblastic anemia, which is caused by a vitamin B12.

The type that Astra refers to is the most common & more common in women (presumed to be due to menstruation) and is a problem with the absorption of iron. Iron is very important for the production of red blood cells - it's what makes them red & is critical for these cells to be able to carry oxygen around the body to where it's needed. A lack of oxygen to cells causes them to degenerate faster than they can be replaced by a flagging healing & maintainance system. [>:]

Advocates of oxygen therapies even suggest that a chronic lack of oxygen can cause mistakes when our DNA & RNA replicate & reproduce new cells, resulting in rogue or cancerous cell formation. I don't know, but it sounds a reasonable theory. Also, I wouldn't dwell too much on that one, as there are lots of other ways of raising blood oxygen levels in the meantime.

Coupled with the bowel problems, I do still suspect that the most likely underlying cause (within the physical & pschological realms) is that of sensitivities & allergies. I know a talk about these a lot, but it does sound like a classic senario.

When our immune system reacts in an innapropriate way to essential nutrients, such as, iron, calcium, vit C, etc. What happens is that the body blocks the absorption of any more than is absolutely needed for survival. This means it can minimise the amount in the system & therefore the adverse reaction to it & still survive. [&:]

However - all are survival mechanisms have only developed for short term, emergency type situations, so if it goes on, then there can be a serious undermining of health in the long term.

So supplementing can actually aggravate the problem. From a professional point of view & without examination & all the info at hand - it would be innapropriate for me to advise against taking a supplement. [:o]

I've been recommending all manner of supplements for years & taking various ones myself for longer (& a few I still do). But the outcomes have varied & I never understood why until I started studying NAET, allergies & the immune system. Now so much more makes sense - but much still to understand, as always. [sm=scratchchin.gif]

If some of this sounds reasonable you can have a shuffle around some of my older posts & see what you think. Most are in the Health section and under various Ailments & you may even dig up my own story under Arthritis, so you'll get an idea of where I'm coming from.

Namaste - And.

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Dear Andrew
Thank you very much for this info.
What you say about allergies and the immune system makes sense to me and my body definitely wants to reject iron supplements[:'(]

You may not have considered it & I can explain the related immune physiology, but please consider taking a look in the Allergies Forum

Again very helpful, hope to PM you in the next couple of days.

Love
astra

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Hello! I have severe acid reflux and last summer I was diagnosed with iron deficiency which turned into anemia last fall. I'm taking 300mg of Niferex. I've had no problems with my stomach on it. I think my doctor picked it, because it is easier on your stomach. As far as the taking it with food, my information sheet that came with my prescription says it works better without food, but if it makes your stomach sick to take it with food. Also, stay away from milk products, coffee, tea, whole wheat products, and eggs within a few hours before or after taking it. They will make it upset your stomach more. I hope this helps!

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Folks with a stomach ulcer can have vit B12 depletion due to the lack of intrinsic factor.
One symptom is spoon shaped finger and toe nails. Worth checking that out?.

Foods high in Vit B12 are: Fortified soya milk,
cereals.
soya products.
Yeast extract.
Dates.
dried apricots.
As a vegan I have to make sure I eat lots of the above and my Hb is 13.5mmol, which is very healthy.

There is a liquid iron that you can get, cant remember the name though!.

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

Many years ago I was diagnosed with anemia for which I took iron pills, which made me very unwell. I was told that it was because I had too much iron, sounds like a contradiction I know. I was told I have Hemochromatosis (celtic disease).

RE: Iron defficiency anemia problems Help!!!

hey,
why don't you have foods high in iron...like jaggery, green leafy vegetables, beetroot..etc...i am sure it will set you right..
also check your blood regularly especially iron binding capacity

fausta:D

I have plantar fasciitis in both feet. I could feel how comfortable these sneakers were from the moment I put them on - EVEN BEFORE I STOOD UP!!! I could feel the heel of the shoe cuddling my heel. I can not bear to wear anything but my orthofeet shoes! I like the hammer toe for toe comfort. Fit is great. I like the colors and the mesh.