My issue with PMR, calcium and iron
Posted , 8 users are following.
Just wanted to mention that I recently discovered I have low iron. My GP never checks my iron but a specialist happened to do it when I asked her about my hair loss. So now I'm on iron pills (and yes, having side effects from that too). My thyroid test was ok - she said low thyroid is another common cause of hair loss.
Dr Google says that if you take your calcium with meals it can block the absorption of iron from foods so you should take calcium between meals. Since the Pred has caused me to have osteopenia I take lots of calcium and had been taking it with all 3 meals.
I think my main problem is that I don't eat enough meat so I'm rectifying that too.
Not sure if this will help anyone else.....but wanted to tell you about it in case it rings a bell with anyone.
Im hoping the low iron is part of why I have had so much fatigue with my PMR. It would be a bonus if the iron pills increased my energy!
0 likes, 29 replies
constance.de Mrs_CJ
Posted
i had a terrific surplus of calcium, the result being kidney stones, so please, please, ask yuur doctor how much iron you should be taking.
constance.de
Posted
Sorry! I meant 'calcium'!
Mrs_CJ constance.de
Posted
as I just wrote above, I am very sentive to all dairy so it's important that I take calcium pills plus get some from my diet. Recommended amount is 1,200 mgs so currently I take about 2/3 of that with pills and get the rest from diet.
Yikes, kidney stones don't sound like much fun!!
Mrs_CJ
Posted
I should add that I have been taking Pred for almost 4 years and am currently on 3 3/4 mg. I am 67. I'm also puzzled why my GP never checks my iron. I've been reading that low iron is common with seniors so it seems like something we should be routinely checking.
ptolemy Mrs_CJ
Posted
Anhaga Mrs_CJ
Posted
Calcium best got from diet, dairy not best source, go for the leafy greens and, if you like them, tinned fish like salmon and sardines - eat the bones. There are other sources, like some dried fruits, etc. Too much animal protein provides you with an excess of phosphorus and that can leach calcium from your body. Aim for half your calcium to come from diet, half from supplements. I also have to take iron. As I do not like tablets and would have been a non-compliant patient, my doctor suggested liquid iron supplement, and I've been taking that with no difficulties. I take one dose in the morning when I am having my pred anyway and can't take calcium. I usually have the second dose mid-afternoon if I'm home then, or at lunchtime. I take calcium supplements at suppertime and bedtime. If I were taking three doses of calcium I'd take one at lunchtime and make sure I had the iron mid-afternoon.
Taking Vitamin K2 can help to avoid side effects from too much calcium. You want the calcium to go into your bones, not your blood vessels or kidneys, etc. Vitamin K2 and magnesium make sure that's what happens. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, but does not guide it into the bones, so you need all these nutrients and more. Most of the other micronutrients will be present in your well balanced diet.
Mrs_CJ Anhaga
Posted
Thank you for explaining about your calcium, iron and Pred. Lots of things for me to think about if I decide to change my schedule.
I was reading that molasses is very high in iron, 1T has 3.6 mg, so I will look into ways to incorporate that into my diet. And it's the season for gingerbread 😄
Anhaga Mrs_CJ
Posted
Yes, I seem to remember that blackstrap molasses in particular is one of those wonder foods! It has a very strong flavour, however, and can't really be used in baking. I expect the other, tastier kinds of molasses also have significant iron.