Asarver's Journal, 06 Jan 15

You mentioned feeling tired so I wanted to share that when I went to doc with same complaints she mentioned that I might be both in need of iron and a little sugar. The sugar part struck me as crazy! Anyway since I don't do well with iron tablets due to stomach upset I opted to supplement my diet once a day with liquid iron. It can seem unpleasant but the best one so far has been "Gaea" brand Plantforce Liquid Iron. I got the small bottle because it must be used in 30 days (says so on the bottle) and after that it changes. What worked for me was to take it with a meal and when I knew I routinely get tired. Usually it works to take it at 3:30pm or 4pm with my midafternoon snack. I am not diabetic so I save the teaspoon of sugar trick the doc taught me for use like an energy drink - like last night, when my niece came to visit at 8pm. I was tired and flagging but could not risk drinking coffee so I had a herb tea with one teaspoon of sugar which revved me right up. I only use the sugar trick when the days have been really long - most of the time just the iron is enough.  

Do you think if I start taking my multivitamin again that it might help? I don't eat a lot of red meat, and I'm not to keep on the vegetables that have iron in them. I don't know if I would need an actual iron supplement though, because my blood work has always come back fine. 

I am not a doctor but based on my own experience I know that when she showed me the bloodwork I was at the low end on iron (still within acceptable range but low end) - it may be that there are people like me that just need more than others or it is not well absorbed from the food I eat. Based on US dietary guidelines how could any of us go wrong if we take our multivitamins - if you have stopped you should ask yourself why - maybe you did not like the brand you were taking? As for needing the iron supplement, or any supplement it is simply case of try it, if it works for you (as it - luckily) - worked for me then there's your solution.