Iron Q
Joan,
On this Cipro thing. I also take 300 mgs Nifrex iron a day. How can I adjust the
timing so I can have milk for breakfast (will take a calcium pill with), then at
what point do I work my iron in which requires no dairy products for 4 hrs near
it!! I’m frustrated. Sure hate to go 10 days w/o the iron. I’m tired enough as
it is. 
Jan
August 27th, 2003 at 8:05 pm
Ok Jan, you’re having fun…
First, when was the last time your endo did full blood workup including a
complete blood count, and TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)? Anemia workup
at all???
How long have you been on Nifrex?
Iron is absorbed mostly in the gut so antacids, cimetidine, tetracycline, and
Vitamin E decrease iron absorption.
Spread out your meds so you allow that 2-4 hour spread.
Should not take your iron with milk…won’t absorb…better with juice
especially with o.j., (blow the sugar a bit, but better absorption).
Vitamin C helps absorption.
Do not take yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk, whole-grain breads, cereals, tea and
coffee with iron…again, won’t absorb.
Could speak to your nutritionist and let her give you a list of Iron rich
foods that are more palatable than taking the good old pill.
You’re taking Cipro 2x/day or 3x/day? Spread it out. Drink a TON of water
or you can develop crystals from the cipro in your kidneys and end up with
stones….NOT NICE!!!
Ask your endo for your hemoglobin level, hematocrit and reticulocyte counts
so you know how you’re doing…should know the acceptable range of
normal…later, Joan
September 1st, 2003 at 5:16 am
Joan,
I have the following tests done every 3 mos. I have been on Niferex about 4
years now. Since my kidneys function at 25% I have been getting 8,800u EPO
bi-weekly for the same time. The EPO causes the bone marrow to produce iron.
It’s all kidney related. Here are my latest results (10/18/99):
Creatinine CL. 22.6
24 Hr. Urine Creat. 1.16
24 Urine Prot. 2.32
Glucose 94
BUN 63
Creatinine 3.0
Sodium 140
Potassium 4.7
Chloride 105
CO2 18
Calcium 8.9
Albumin / TP 3.7 / 63
TIMC / Fe 199/74
Bilirubin T/D 0.3
Alk. Phos. 160
SGOT/PT 21
HDL/LDL 60/
WBC 6.71
Hb/Hct 11.6/35.2
Platelets 383
T3/T4 31.7/4.5
TSH/FTI 1.170/9.5
??% Sat. (?)37
HbA1c 6.9
I usually take the iron (neph said take all 300 mgs at once since too hard
to time around dairy prods) about 2-3:00 in aft. I am now taking the Cipro
about 2:00 p.m. Have milk and calcium pill for b’fast then no more calcium
until dinner. Take the 2nd Cipro about 10:00 p.m. I decided that if I
happen to wake up at 4:00 a.m. would be the only time I can safely take the
iron. So I woke up at 2:13, 2:38, 3:34, and finally at 3:54 decided it was
time to get up to take it. Sure preferred my head staying on the pillow!! I
know all about taking iron with dairy - get very bound up. try to watch for
sure the 2 hr. gap. As far as drinking lots of water, I was told to only
drink when thirsty to not over tax my kidneys to help keep them working. I
was told by pharmacist to drink lots of water with the Cipro. It’s almost
like when I was on that ulcer diet in ’70s = here, do the best you can. The
list was full of puddings, baked chicken, baked potatoes and such. No home
BG testing then. I have yet to have my first cup of coffee - ruined a glass
of milk once with some in it. Sure love smelling it :). I drink decaf Iced
Tea.
I don’t eat many whole grains, fresh veggies, oranges/juice, bananas, that
are full of potassium. I was told with the decreased kidney function causes
the waste to stay in me (Yeah, I know - I’m full of it!) and the potassium
does not pee out. That is what regulates the heart and too much can cause a
heart attack. It’s just too difficult to give up potatoes at this point. My
favorite food is fresh mashed potatoes w/butter.
BTW: I’m having heel spur surgery 12/1.
Thanks for the input and help,
Jan
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