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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taking Iron Supplements As Iron Is Low. Feeling Tired. How Long For Supplements To Work?

I have just started taking iron supplements as my recent blood test showed I was low. I am 51 years old - female - going through the normal "life" changes so this is not surprising to me at all. I am so unbelievably tired though. My question is how long should it take for the iron supplements to begin to work? So I can feel normal again! Also what dosage would be recommended per day?
Thanks,
Laurie
Mon, 20 May 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Although Iron supplements, usually  start to take effect within the first week. However, the length of time it takes for your body to completely replenish your depleted iron stores will depend on ,how severe your anemia was to begin with, how long you've been anemic, how well your body is able to absorb the iron in the supplements, and how good you are at remembering to take them and what way you are taking it.
If you are taking with food or with antacid or with milk,very less iron is going to get absorbed.However if you are  taking it empty stomach or with VIT C ,then amount of iron absorbed would be much more.
On an average your iron levels should become normal in 2 to 3 months time.
Dose should betaken according to your doctors advice but in general it is 325 mg of ferrous sulphate,once a day.
Thanks
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Taking Iron Supplements As Iron Is Low. Feeling Tired. How Long For Supplements To Work?

Hello, Although Iron supplements, usually  start to take effect within the first week. However, the length of time it takes for your body to completely replenish your depleted iron stores will depend on ,how severe your anemia was to begin with, how long you ve been anemic, how well your body is able to absorb the iron in the supplements, and how good you are at remembering to take them and what way you are taking it. If you are taking with food or with antacid or with milk,very less iron is going to get absorbed.However if you are  taking it empty stomach or with VIT C ,then amount of iron absorbed would be much more. On an average your iron levels should become normal in 2 to 3 months time. Dose should betaken according to your doctors advice but in general it is 325 mg of ferrous sulphate,once a day. Thanks