Low iron levels

Lentils are also rich in iron and are quite nutritious. Folic acid is also known to treat patients with iron deficiency and vitamin B deficiency (pernicious anemia).

After being vegetarian for 5 years I got quite anaemic and so exhausted all the time.
(My iron may have actually been on the low side anyway - I hadn't had a bloodtest in years, but my diet was probably lacking iron .) So yeah as I said I was veggie for 5 years, then pescatarian (fish but no meat) then about a year ago I started reintroducing chicken back into evening meals occasionally for a bit of protein. I still don't have a lot of meat because I don't particularly like it but I eat a lot of fruits and veggies and minimal junk food. I make sure to have lots of Vitamin C as I've heard this increases your ability to absorb iron. I have a lot of greens like spinach, kale and broccoli and try to make iron-rich smoothies and soups. I've taken various iron supplements too and for the past few months have been taking my prescribed iron tablets (ferranate).

I've had 3 blood tests in the past year or so but each time the iron level has got lower and lower! It may also be related to the fact my periods are really heavy. My GP has referred me for another blood test as last one was a few months ago. I have a feeling it'll be lower again as I'm SO exhausted. I'm also an anxious and worried person so this can also contribute to constant tiredness. I don't know what else I can do to increase iron?
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How long have you been taking Iron for? and how much are you taking?

Do you eat fortified cereals? My iron levels are always good despite me not eating red meat, and I attribute it to eating cereal sometimes twice a day (breakfast and supper). I also eat broccoli and things like that. Spatone can be good to add to water or juice once or twice a day, but I wouldn't try it on top of already prescribed iron tablets. It tends to up iron levels quite quickly in my experience.

Lentils are also rich in iron and are quite nutritious. Folic acid is also known to treat patients with iron deficiency and vitamin B deficiency (pernicious anemia). Im currently on an iron supplement called "Sideral" which helps to treat iron deficiency related anemia. Hope this helps and get well soon!

You're pretty much doing it all. Various foods are either high in or help absorb iron or some can hinder. Seems like you know a good amount about that. Being on supliments is the most important one to look at here since your levels are still falling. It takes a while for it to kick in and show on tests and can also take a while to get dosage right. Nothing is going to help as much as the supliments, but keep up with trying to better your diet anyway.

Your best bet is to keep seeing your doc about it and be sure to mention anything else like the period situation. If it doesnt seem to be getting anywhere or getting worse you could ask to see a specialist.

Took me a good while to sort out my defeciancies (a year ish) so just hang in there.

Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful. I've been taking it on and off for quite a while but admittedly I wasn't very consistent with it. But since December I've been really good and have taken it every day. So properly probably about 3 months? The ones I'm taking just say on them 300mg Ferranate / ferrous gluconate ? In the past I've also taken others but they made me feel so sick and tummyachey, a common side effect. Have also tried the liquid Floradix and Feroglobin.



Ah that's interesting. I'll try and find some that aren't too sugary. Maybe All Bran as that's also high in fibre. I've just ordered some Spatone, thanks for your suggestion! Quickly is what I need right now! I'll try it instead of my tablets for a while.



How are you finding the Sideral? Does it affect your stomach at all? I've been trying to improve my diet so I'll get on the lentils!



Thanks! Yeah I guess I just need to be more patient with it! I'll definitely keep going back until it's sorted Are you all healthy now?

Sideral is good, only thing is that it needs to be taken over a long period of time to actually have an effect.

I am as far as the iron goes, but I have a few other things that I'm still trying to work out. Took a good few months for my levels to sort out I think, and the fatigue and stuff is a little unpredictable about how it improves, so even if your levels are back up you may not feel it properly for a while longer still.
oh btw iron suppliments can have a bit of an effect on your um... stools. I overlooked that part of the leaflet and was shocked first time I took them. Made them really dark green. Just to let you know since if its not due to something like iron suplinents it can actually be a cause for concern. :P

Good! Yeah. I've got my Spatone and All Bran and a fridge full of greens like kale, broccoli and spinach! Woohoo! I suppose I quite like eating more healthily though so I'm excited. If my current supplements aren't helpful I'll ask my GP to try Sideral.


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Corn flakes.

Mmm I love Corn Flakes! I didn't know they were iron fortified too. I love when they go all soggy in the milk. Bran Flakes are good too.


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Spirulina. look it up


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I have Spirulina already, add it to smoothies sometimes! And Spatone that someone else suggested which is pretty much pure liquid iron - it tastes like metal railings! Cheers for your input though! 😊

After being vegetarian for 5 years I got quite anaemic and so exhausted all the time.
(My iron may have actually been on the low side anyway - I hadn't had a bloodtest in years, but my diet was probably lacking iron .) So yeah as I said I was veggie for 5 years, then pescatarian (fish but no meat) then about a year ago I started reintroducing chicken back into evening meals occasionally for a bit of protein. I still don't have a lot of meat because I don't particularly like it but I eat a lot of fruits and veggies and minimal junk food. I make sure to have lots of Vitamin C as I've heard this increases your ability to absorb iron. I have a lot of greens like spinach, kale and broccoli and try to make iron-rich smoothies and soups. I've taken various iron supplements too and for the past few months have been taking my prescribed iron tablets (ferranate).

I've had 3 blood tests in the past year or so but each time the iron level has got lower and lower! It may also be related to the fact my periods are really heavy. My GP has referred me for another blood test as last one was a few months ago. I have a feeling it'll be lower again as I'm SO exhausted. I'm also an anxious and worried person so this can also contribute to constant tiredness. I don't know what else I can do to increase iron?


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go around your house and eat anything iron like you see