It always seems like there is something to worry about. Now the problem of the week is a drop in my iron levels. In one month's time my iron went from 58 to 40 (normal range 50-170) and iron saturation went from 15 to 9 (normal is 15-50). I am hoping it is the new supplements I started a month ago 1,200 mg. of calcium and also grape seed extract. Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.

Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.

Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.

Ms. Anxiety:

I have personally had no experience with this during peri. the only time I can remember being iron deficient was when I was pregnant both times. I took iron supplements through both. I can believe that during the change when hormones are fluctuating that iron deficiency could be a problem.

I think it is an excellent thing that you are going to the doctor. You did not say why you changed vitamins to one without iron, could that be the problem? What about changing your eating habits some to include more iron rich foods?

I am sorry I am not more help to you. Hope you get answers quickly. I am sure someone here knows a lot more about this than me.

Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

I take a herbal/iron tonic called Floradix. It's wonderful. When my iron levels dropped I started taking it - you notice its effects within about a week and the next blood test showed everything back to normal.

Thanks for the tip. I read the reviews on this product on amazon, it sounds like it is a great product. I think I will try a bottle.


Do you by chance know why your iron levels dropped?

I have been told by docs that with even normal periods a woman can get to a point where she loses more blood that she can make. Since your drop is more sudden, I would try stopping the new supplement with calcium since that does inhibit iron uptake. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't somewhat normal for females to be anemic during pregnancy and peri when periods often get heavier. The body works in mysterious ways. I love Floradix too though it is very pricey.

Maybe the heavy, gushing 17-day period had something to do with it.... just a guess.

Ooooo. That would definitely do it. Well mine have been heavier, but not that bad. The stuff we must endure...unreal. I read the reviews on Amazon for the Floradix and it sounds like it works great. I bought some today. I'm hoping it will solve all my problems. Ha. They say that the heart palps can be from low iron and boy do I have them this month.

bleeding depletes iron so the heavy period may have everything to do with it.

Give the Floradix a week or so... that's what I found anyway. It was recommended to me many years ago at a time when I was caring round the clock for a terminally ill person as well as two young children and I was perpetually exhausted - I began to take it not expecting any great result but after a week or so I suddenly realised I had a lot more energy.

Anyway I remembered it again when I was feeling so lousy a few months back and the latest bloods said my iron was low, so I gave it another try and sure enough, after a week or so I noticed the difference. The result shows in my blood tests too because iron levels are now back up to normal.

Apart from anything else it tastes really nice!