How to control anemia.

[Cheyenne]

For those of you who take iron supplements, do you get the type with a type of iron and plant extract combination added to combat the constipating effects?

I take capsules like this and have never had any issues with constipation. I've also tried one liquid, but the taste was too much for me. You can talk to someone knowledgeable at a health food/supplement store to get recommendations, although what you're looking for is Iron/Ferrous Gluconate or iron chelate and the bottle should talk about "minimizing constipation/gastrointestinal problems" right on it if it's a formulation with that purpose. Extended-release formulas and those with Vitamin C (though it's probably cheaper to just take the C w/ your iron) are less likely to cause GI problems because they're absorbed better.

Yellow dock Root is supposedly excellent for anemia and very gentle on the system.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:
http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/USA/Products/R64771.htm#R64771 (Liquid in a fruit juice base with a bunch of good stuff)

GNC Time-release 18mg (very cheap and should be available at Rite Aid, too)

http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=11502 (Iron + Yellow dock and other herb extracts to maximize absorption and minimize constipation/GI upset).

I take ferrous gluconate twice per day, purchased at Walgreens for $5.99 for100 pills.
I also take chewable vitamin C with it, from Sunkist
I have no constipation issues.
I have the vitamin B12 absorption issue so I take nascobal spray (prescription and NOT cheap) once per week. THAT has helped me the most, I think.