Replied By Ian Noelle (United States) on 10/19/2019
I have problems absorbing iron. It is important to note which part of your blood iron is showing to be low - serum ferritin or iron. Serum ferritin is like cash in your wallet whereas iron is cash in your bank. Both are important and knowing the numbers will point you in the right direction to fix it. To increase my ferritin (low) and to maintain iron (normal), I've had to take iron in the middle of the night away from food and beverages. In addition, perhaps consider checking to see if you have a methylation problem. If so, you will not be able to use the unmethylated B vitamins (folate, B12) which is a big contributor to certain types of anemia. Google specifically what your bloodwork shows - meaning the iron (Is it low, normal, or high?) plus the ferritin (Is it low, normal, or high?). You will get better info by being specific regarding both types of bloodwork for iron and ferritin.Replied By Amy (USA and Canada) on 10/23/2019
Has your doctor mentioned copper? I ask because western medicine is so ill-informed when it comes to copper-an essential trace mineral that's crucial for iron levels and anemia. It's been very demonized in the media and a lot of people are under the impression that copper causes cancer, dementia, inflammation, etc when this isn't the case. If you get the wrong copper test, it can show you're high when in fact you aren't. An intracellular test, like a RBC (or WBC, some SOD) copper level and NOT a serum or plasma level, is what's needed. People who don't respond to iron supplements are especially low in copper quite often. Also, a lot of natural remedies, natural health, truth in general, are being suppressed and censored by Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. If you search with Duckduckgo.com (there are others too, like Qwant, SearX and Good Gopher are others I've seen, but not used yet) you will find some good information and there's a lot copper does for the body. I started copper and my energy has increased, arthritis pain is a lot better, sleep is better and cognitive abilities have improved. Anemia is gone and iron levels normal-without taking iron! Taking zinc supplements can easily lower your copper levels and a lot of people are low-level copper deficient, as it's very under diagnosed. It's usually only caught when someone is so low that they have ataxia and peripheral neuropathy. This is something I wrestled with for years and once I found the copper, it improved so many areas of my health. These days, iron is in everything and is even built into GMO foods and excess iron isn't a good thing. We're more susceptible to viruses, pathogens and more iron isn't the answer. Low copper issues; Poor immunity, grey or unusually light hair, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, HBP, high plasma cholesterol, fatigue, lower melanin, dry skin, high risk of clot formation, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, malabsorption issues, low white blood cells, joint and muscle pain and more. Of course you can get too much copper, like you can get too much of just about anything and it could be dangerous. Also important to get the right kind of copper. In the US and Canada, the soil is quite depleted. When I lived in New Zealand, I was impressed by the way people took care of the land. it's been a while and I hope that's still the case, but if you have GMO food there now, be especially diligent about what you eat. I really hope this helps, but please do some research on it. It really sounds like that's what's going on but hopefully you can get to the bottom of it. Good luck!Replied By Paloma (Idaho) on 10/25/2019
What is the right kind of copper?Replied By Cheryl (Pico Rivera) on 11/07/2019
Yes! I have anemia due to a heavy parasitic infection also. Just go easy with the parasitic cleanses as the die-off can make you really sick. They release toxins and virus into your body as they die.Replied By Mich (Alberta) on 03/24/2024
Don't know if you ever resolved it, but inability to absorb iron can be a common problem and is usually related to low stomach acid. The trick is to have something acidic such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in water prior to taking the iron supplements or high iron foods. Alternatively you could try hydrochloric acid pills (hcl) but they can be hard on the stomach and you may not need to increase the acidity by that much.Replied By Tonya (Canyon Lake, Texas) on 10/14/2024
Hi,
I had the same problem. They ran my insurance to the end...
Then, a brilliant naturopath from Ontario, CA, asked me to take Copper supplements. He said my cellular iron was fine, but it's the serum that they measured. Copper opens the gateway for iron to enter the bloodstream. He said this is common knowledge in India. Low iron means one is lower in Copper. He also said I'd know when I had enough copper as my hair would lose the grey. I did, and at 72, I have no grey today.
Grey hair is also a sign of low copper, which indicates cardiovascular complications. He was a brilliant man. He saved my life.
I am only repeating what I was told and have experienced... I hope it helps someone.
