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Post by stillhopefull on Jan 12, 2012 18:31:44 GMT -5
Not thinking about cost right now, need to get my iron up. Advantages of Proferrin ES vs OTC iron? Any?
Terry
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Post by clpeltz on Jan 12, 2012 18:51:06 GMT -5
Not thinking about cost right now, need to get my iron up. Advantages of Proferrin ES vs OTC iron? Any? Terry From what I understand, we absorb the Proferrin much better. However, I am one that does not absorb iron, no matter what kind I take orally. I will be getting IV iron infusions as needed. I am followed by a hematologist who keeps track of my iron labs. |
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Post by Gail R on Jan 12, 2012 18:54:57 GMT -5
I use ferrous fumarate 325 mg. It brought up my iron levels up a bit faster than other forms.
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Post by meredith123 on Jan 12, 2012 19:25:54 GMT -5
Here's what I'm taking, it's called Ultimate Iron - it has Iron (as ferrous succinate) & Heme iron & it's only $11 for 90. It got my levels up farily quickly before my surgery, I think it was about 2 months. I did take double the dose for a month or so because my iron level was so low. I just recently had my 3 month post-op labs and my iron was at a great level. I was worried that I might not be getting enough of it because there is some oil in the pill, but so far it's still working for me. If my levels drop, I'll switch to something else, I still have a few bottles of this so as long as it's working its what I'm using. www.allstarhealth.com/f/enzymatic_therapy-ultimate_iron.htm?gclid=CMiZtYPdy60CFWcBQAodIhmJjg |
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Post by teachmid on Jan 12, 2012 19:34:26 GMT -5
Absorption and no GI upsets.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 20:03:52 GMT -5
I went to see a hematologist to get an iron infusion. I brought my proferrin with to ask him his opinion of it and he'd never heard of it. He also wasn't impressed since it wasn't a high dosage at all (24mg). He said he couldn't speak to whether or not it worked better and didn't need as high a dosage. He said without knowing anything more he'd recommend taking 4 or more of those a day just to get the dosage right. Now, at $40+/bottle that's a bit much for my bank account. I had my infusion and kept taking my proferrin, I've also had my IUD replaced to stop my heavy monthly bleeding as a means to getting my iron in my body instead of the toilet. I also picked up two other irons and just rotate through them on a daily basis.
I was taking 3 proferrin a day for 9 months and my total iron stayed consistent but my ferritin took a nosedive down to 7.2 from 30. Maybe I'm just weird ... or there were other things going on causing the issue.
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Post by stillhopefull on Jan 12, 2012 20:14:01 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. Just one question, is the Ferous Fumarate OTC?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 20:18:23 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. Just one question, is the Ferous Fumarate OTC? It is. VitaLady sells it along with Proferrin and Carbonyl Iron. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2012 16:16:23 GMT -5
I went to see a hematologist to get an iron infusion. I brought my proferrin with to ask him his opinion of it and he'd never heard of it. He also wasn't impressed since it wasn't a high dosage at all (24mg). He said he couldn't speak to whether or not it worked better and didn't need as high a dosage. He said without knowing anything more he'd recommend taking 4 or more of those a day just to get the dosage right. Now, at $40+/bottle that's a bit much for my bank account. I had my infusion and kept taking my proferrin, I've also had my IUD replaced to stop my heavy monthly bleeding as a means to getting my iron in my body instead of the toilet. I also picked up two other irons and just rotate through them on a daily basis. I was taking 3 proferrin a day for 9 months and my total iron stayed consistent but my ferritin took a nosedive down to 7.2 from 30. Maybe I'm just weird ... or there were other things going on causing the issue. I am really surprised that a hemo doc didn't recognize a heme iron and also know that because of it being heme iron it is absorbed (by most people) more completely than iron salts or other form of iron. Trying to calibrate a dosage of heme by comparing it to salts or other irons is like adding apples and oranges. That being said, there are quite a few peeps that keep both their iron and ferritin up by combining heme and another form of iron. There are also quite a few that absorb nothing and need infusions. Personally, I think it has to do with how much of your duodenum the surgeon leaves and how well you absorb iron at all, pre or post-op. JMO |
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Post by Band to DS on Jan 14, 2012 23:51:32 GMT -5
How is ferrous fumerate on your stomach? I can't stand the carbonyl iron from Vitalady. I burp it up for hours after taking it.
Thanks,
Shelli
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Post by bugirll on Jan 17, 2012 8:47:05 GMT -5
Proferrin's web site says it an be taken with food. Can it be taken with calcium and other supplements?
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Post by sheanie on Jan 17, 2012 9:29:49 GMT -5
Pre-DS it was difficult for me to absorb. Only way I could substantially raise my iron was taking dessicated calves liver capsules and liquid chloryphyl (Gag, choke, spew). But it worked. Now you can't buy the liver capsules because of mad cow disease abroad. I've tried Proferrin, no good. Currently I'm doing a trial run with Bifera. I've gone through every other iron on the OTC market with no luck. I'm currently taking one dose middle of night in an experiment to see if that helps any, and always with C.
The iron absorption issue is a highly personal one, everyone is different.
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Post by jillybean720 on Jan 17, 2012 12:03:38 GMT -5
Just so you know, Proferrin ES is also OTC. It is the Proferrin Forte that is Rx. switchedup beat me to it - I was also going to point out that Proferrin ES is OTC, NOT prescription. You can buy it from Vitalady (or a couple other websites) without a prescription. My experience was similar to what someone else mentioned - I was taking 2 Proferrin ES per day, and it kept my iron up just fine, but my ferritin was slowly dropping. I'm now doing Vitalady's Tender Iron instead but haven't had full labs drawn since I switched, so we'll see how my next lab results come out. |
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Post by bugirll on Jan 17, 2012 12:09:13 GMT -5
I just called the Proferrin people and they said you can take it with calcium...Im still going to keep it separate.
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Post by bugirll on Jan 17, 2012 14:35:06 GMT -5
They say that you can take it with calcium and food and all other supplements. I read somewhere tho that proferriun is best to take WITHOUT vitamin C tho. Not sure why? When I called the proferrin people I quickly became suspect of anything she said. When I asked why the Forte needed a prescription, the lady said "when you mixed two things together [meaning the proferrin and folic acid that is contained in the proferrin forte] then the government wants to be involved...I dont know why the folic acid is even in there anyway"  |
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Post by Sandra C. on Jan 17, 2012 15:02:38 GMT -5
I have been taking Bariatric Advantage "Iron chewy Bite", 30mg with good labs. Now I need to eliminate all acids- the vitamin C because of irritated bladder spasms. Probably not for ever, but long enough to give things a chance to calm down, then add everything back one at a time to see whats tolerated. What OTC iron can I take that doesn't have C, or Ascorbic acid ?
Thanks for any ideas. ;-)
Sandra
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Post by hala2215 on Jan 17, 2012 15:03:25 GMT -5
I took the profferin for over a year. My ferritin dropped anyway. I think there is some study (can't find it now) that claims that heme iron absorption is affected by calcium and coffee and everything else taht affects other iron.
For me the only difference taking carbonyl iron or any other iron and profferin is that profferin did not cause any pain or spasms and every other iron did. But the results I got the same - no absorption. Last year I got iron infusions. I most likely will get that once in while. Probably every 2-3-4 years, if my ferritin drops below 50 again. Based on my hematologist - he does not want me to wait until I bottom up again, but come and see him if it gets below 50. I do not have periods - so unless I need surgery - my ferritin drops app 3-5 points every 3-6 months. Now it is 90... so even one point a month - gives me 40 months or close to 4 years.
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Post by stillhopefull on Jan 17, 2012 15:56:15 GMT -5
So basically it is trial and error on which one is best. Just have to start with one and keep an eye on my labs. Thanks for all they good info everyone.
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Post by bldeck on Jan 17, 2012 17:35:30 GMT -5
I was on ferrous fumarate, levels were just above low and I could not get them higher. I changed to the Proferrin ES and levels went up but ferritin went down. Went to the Hematologist, he loved the Proferrin ES and wrote down everything on the label (think he is going to suggest it to other patients) he wanted me to add another pill before doing the infusions, so I added a carbonyl iron with C. I go back in a couple of months for new labs to see if the levels have improved.
Betty
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mesa0102
Junior Member
open DS 08/18/2009 Dr. Henry Buchwald
Posts: 65
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Post by mesa0102 on Jan 17, 2012 22:33:07 GMT -5
The heme iron in Proferrin is supposed to be the most easily absorbed oral iron available. Different people have differing results with different supplements, but most people who will do okay on any oral iron will do best with proferrin, from what I've gathered. After DS, it seems to be a crapshoot whether you'll absorb iron through your digestive tract at all. Lots of us end up needing infusions at some point. I'd be interested to see the study that hala2215 mentioned- everything I gathered from Michelle (Vitalady), the vets, and my hemo said that heme iron was OK with calcium, that it didn't compete for absorption with calcium in that form.
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Post by feeder3565 on Jan 17, 2012 22:46:58 GMT -5
I was told by my endo that by adding the folic acid it makes it a food supplement, or something like that and insurance will then pay. This is the only iron I take. Take it with my calcium. Break it in half. One at night, and morning been on it for 3 years.
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Post by Carol P. on Jan 18, 2012 11:53:57 GMT -5
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mesa0102
Junior Member
open DS 08/18/2009 Dr. Henry Buchwald
Posts: 65
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Post by mesa0102 on Jan 18, 2012 20:58:15 GMT -5
Yikes! Good to know, and great info! Thanks, Carol! |
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