How do you get enough iron in your diet without taking iron pills because of constipation? Is there anyone out there that knows of any other way. I am extremely tired all of the time. Thanks Grace
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You might want to try supplements again with a different regimen. I would advise to stay away from caffeine as it can dehydrate you and make it worse, eat plenty of fruits and veggies high in fiber to keep things moving, make sure you are drinking enough water (dehydration will make you feel fatigued as well), exercise regularly to help your system move along, and take milk of magnesia to keep things softer inside your stomach. You make want to even ask your doctor about a prescriptions stool softener.
Also, make sure you are not deficient in B12. This deficiency can lead to anemia.
If this still doesn't work, try eating plenty of green leafy vegetables. Spinach and Kale are very high in iron. You could try juicing the kale with fruit or you could try blend the spinach with frozen fruit to make yummy smoothies.
Also, make sure you are taking iron in the ferrous form rather than the ferric form. It is better absorbed in the intestines.
Also, make sure you are not deficient in B12. This deficiency can lead to anemia.
If this still doesn't work, try eating plenty of green leafy vegetables. Spinach and Kale are very high in iron. You could try juicing the kale with fruit or you could try blend the spinach with frozen fruit to make yummy smoothies.
Also, make sure you are taking iron in the ferrous form rather than the ferric form. It is better absorbed in the intestines.
I have iron deficiency anemia and I do not absorb oral iron well at all. Plus they would upset my stomach. I ended up seeing a hematologist who I get periodic iron infusions done with. It has helped a great deal. Have you had your iron levels checked by your doctor?
One out-of-the-box option for women with iron deficiency can be birth control pills. Obviously this approach isn't for everyone, but they (BCPs) tend to reduce menstrual bleeding significantly, and thus reduce how much iron is needed to replace that lost blood.
Someone here recommended liver pills, as they do not cause the constipation from regular iron. I ordered mine online. They're from Radiant Life. I also take Feosol iron recommended by my GI and sold in drugstores over the counter. My numbers, though not very high like before my UC, did go up.
I've had chronically low hemoglobin counts since my colectomy; due to the absorption problems I've been getting IV infusions for the past 6 years for it. First I was on Venofer, but it was needed once a week to maintain my levels, which wasn't ideal. I switched to Feraheme about two years ago and now only need infusions about every two months to keep my counts in a semi-normal range.
I'm taking this supplement http://www.amztk.com/iron-vitamins and I've seen amazing results with it and it didn't constipate me at all. I incorporated Iron rich foods into my diet like pomegranate, liver, and red meat. I was on a ton of supplements which I couldn't take due to the constipation issue until I came across this one. It has really helped me get my Iron levels up without leaving me constipated!!