calcium and iron

In article <[email hidden]>,

ken said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

Thanks

ken

I don't know the answer to that question, but how much meat do you eat?
If nothing else, you could try dessicated liver tablets, or ask your
doctor about Iron injections......
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

On Fri, 24 Jun 2005 09:57:55 -0500, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy :

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

ken said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

Thanks

ken

I don't know the answer to that question, but how much meat do you eat?
If nothing else, you could try dessicated liver tablets, or ask your
doctor about Iron injections......

BTW, I've been told by my doctor that vitamin C helps iron retention.

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy

--
Enrico C

It takes iron, L-isoleucine and B12 to convert to haemoglobin. Iron alone
could kill you or make you very sick. Iron and calcium could give you some
nice crusty arteries.

"ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

Thanks

ken

"ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

Thanks

ken

It all depends. While there is an antagonism between calcium
and iron, extra Ca supplementation is not likely to be much of
a problem if you do in fact need both, just like foods containing
both minerals generally don't create a deficiency of either one.

However if your doctor simply *assumes* that you need extra
calcium, but in reality Ca levels are normal or on the high side,
then an inhibiting effect of Ca on iron may well be taking place.

On the other hand, if your zinc level is high (which would also
inhibit iron), then taking calcium would actually help you since
calcium is a much stronger antagonist against zinc than iron.
Higher intake of Vit C provides an acid base and lowers Ca
and zinc, so it helps iron absorption all around. Red meat is
generally considered the best dietary source of iron.

On Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:49:11 -0400, Pizza Girl. wrote in
<news:1119667473.402b41edbb3161cae4ef67c10371df57@teranews> on
sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy :

Quoted message said:

It takes iron, L-isoleucine and B12 to convert to haemoglobin.

[...]

That's interesting.

I know that animal products are a good source of vitamin B-12.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp#h2

About L-isoleucine:
"Some dietary sources include nuts, such as almonds and cashews, as well as
chicken, liver, fish and soy.
http://www.aminoacidpower.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=3_22&products_id=278

Besides,

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron.asp#h3
What affects iron absorption?
Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron that the body obtains
and uses from food. Healthy adults absorb about 10% to 15% of dietary iron,
but individual absorption is influenced by several factors [1,3,8,11-15].

Storage levels of iron have the greatest influence on iron absorption. Iron
absorption increases when body stores are low. When iron stores are high,
absorption decreases to help protect against toxic effects of iron overload
[1,3]. Iron absorption is also influenced by the type of dietary iron
consumed. Absorption of heme iron from meat proteins is efficient.
Absorption of heme iron ranges from 15% to 35%, and is not significantly
affected by diet [15]. In contrast, 2% to 20% of nonheme iron in plant
foods such as rice, maize, black beans, soybeans and wheat is absorbed
[16]. Nonheme iron absorption is significantly influenced by various food
components [1,3,11-15].

Meat proteins and vitamin C will improve the absorption of nonheme iron
[1,17-18]. Tannins (found in tea), calcium, polyphenols, and phytates
(found in legumes and whole grains) can decrease absorption of nonheme iron
[1,19-24]. Some proteins found in soybeans also inhibit nonheme iron
absorption [1,25]. It is most important to include foods that enhance
nonheme iron absorption when daily iron intake is less than recommended,
when iron losses are high (which may occur with heavy menstrual losses),
when iron requirements are high (as in pregnancy), and when only vegetarian
nonheme sources of iron are consumed.

====================================

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy

the concomitant administration o calcium ang iron is not indicated, calcium
blocs the absorbsion of iron,
take your iron 2 hours before calcium

"ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

Thanks

ken

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I take iron elixir twice

a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week. <<

Well according to the .. facts .. you presented .. as TO .. the
DETERMINATION .. of .. iron 'deficiency' ..

It hasn't been properly .. proven ..

Unless he has gone the extra mile to .. POSITIVELY .. diagnose .. iron
... DEFICIENCY .. the fact he IS going to give you iron infusions .. is
... stupid ..

Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com
Man Is A Herbivore!
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking

Name said:

"ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

COMMENT:

You're not going to die or even get sick from a hemoglobin in the 12's
and a ferritin of 20. If I was in your condition I'd sure as hell be
eating fried liver before I'd let anybody shoot me up with iron
infusions. How much money does your hematologist make for that? Does he
do it in his little private chemo clinic and bill $300 for it? Howard,
now don't you start calling me cynical.

And if you're lactose intolerant, why don't you try lactose free milk?
Or take your calcium at lunch? Or stop it completely for a few weeks,
if you're wondering about it's effect on iron.

Name:

Quoted message said:

It all depends. While there is an antagonism between calcium
and iron, extra Ca supplementation is not likely to be much of
a problem if you do in fact need both, just like foods containing
both minerals generally don't create a deficiency of either one.

However if your doctor simply *assumes* that you need extra
calcium, but in reality Ca levels are normal or on the high side,
then an inhibiting effect of Ca on iron may well be taking place.

COMMENT:

What?? Nobody would (or should) assume *anything* about body calcium
status from calcium levels in the blood. The doctor won't, and you
shouldn't either. It's irrelevent.

Quoted message said:

Red meat is generally considered the best dietary source of iron.

CORRECT. And if you don't absorb it will from iron elixers (which will
be iron salts) you still may get great absorption from liver, red meat,
and blood pudding. It's a separate iron absorption system.

SBH

On 23 Jul 2005 11:42:40 -0700, Sbharris[atsign]ix.netcom.com wrote in
<news:[email hidden]> on
sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy :

Quoted message said:

Name said:

"ken" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

My primary care doctor has me on calcium/D bid becasue i am lactose
intolerant and can't drink milk....But I have iron deficiency anemia
and have a problem with low iron absorption - I take iron elixir twice
a day..my ferritin is very low (below 20 and my hemoglobin is in the
12's...My hematologist is starting me on IV infusions of iron next
week.

My question is this - is my taking calcium inhibiting my iron
absorption to a signifcant degree?

COMMENT:

You're not going to die or even get sick from a hemoglobin in the 12's
and a ferritin of 20. If I was in your condition I'd sure as hell be
eating fried liver before I'd let anybody shoot me up with iron
infusions.

[...]

Why *fried* liver? 🙂

What about ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) tablets, in case the original poster
doesn't like liver?

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthfitness/health_advice/netdoctor/archive/100001040.html

X'Posted to: sci.med.nutrition,sci.med.pharmacy

Enrico C said:

Why *fried* liver? 🙂

Boiled or raw is just as good, insofar as iron goes. You like it like
that?

Quoted message said:

What about ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) tablets, in case the original poster
doesn't like liver?

They are not absorbed as well, and certainly would not be any better
absorbed than the liquid he's already taking. The iron in liver, meat,
and blood is heme-iron, and is especially well absorbed.

SBH