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Iron supplements and vitamins

Hi, thank you Sandy for the link about supplements to help those who suffer with thier eyes on TKI's.Just out of curiosity, I was advised by my consultant last time to not take any vitamin supplements containing iron. Do you know why this would be, and also are there any other particular vitamins that could help with our condition ? I already take a vitamin C 1000 mg soluble tablet per day, which also contains zinc. Thanks

I think there are lots of doctors that do not recommend taking supplements of any kind- as far as I know we can get a lot of iron from everyday food such as tomatoes etc. However, opinions differ but I have never found the need for iron supplements. I try to eat as much 'whole' food as possible (wholegrain bread rice pasta etc) as well as freshly cooked vegetables and meat/fish rather than pre-prepared... having said that I am just about to eat a preprepared lamb shank for dinner ;o)

I think you must follow your own instincts and preferences- it might be a good idea to ask your doctor why no iron? but extra Vit C, E, D3, all B Vits (complex inc Folic Acid) are pretty essential in my opinion. Personally I take all of the above in quite high doses- but as I say that is my personal choice.

I find Dr.Mercola.com quite a good resource for current information on supplements etc... although it's a commercial site too. But his videos are pretty well produced and his messages are well researched- if a little fast paced in delivery!

Sandy

Thanks Sandy. I have been eating lots of greens and spinach to try get my iron up as i am anaemic but i think it is caused by the treatment. i will ask doc again next time but i am pretty sure he said no iron supplements. Has any one else experienced this?

In my experience, iron supplements can cause constipation (very undesirable!)so you are doing the right thing to try to overcome low HGB count by including dark green veg etc. in your diet. Another way to try to boost HGB levels is to supplement with high dose B vitamins with folic acid (green leafy veg) as well as Vit E (400iu per day)- both of these can help with anaemia.... so iron is not the only thing involved.

You are absolutely right when you say your anaemia (low HGB count) is related to treatment with TKIs. When I was treated imatinib my HGB never got higher than 10.6... but that was a vast improvement on the low 6's that I had prior to and at diagnosis!

Your HGB level might improve over time- but trying to boost it by diet/supplementation does no harm at all in my view.

Sandy