Anemia Support Group

Hello, I have just been recently diagnosed with Anemia. I just ordered Proferrin ES from Colorado labs. has anyone had any success with proferrin ES? Do you take additional supplements with it?

Post edited by: rusticlark, at: 04/13/2012 09:44 AM

Hi rusticlark, and welcome.

I take 3 tablets Proferrin ES 1 or 2xs a day for a total of 36 or 72 mgs elemental iron. I used to take 325 mg (65 mg elemental iron) ferrous sulfate plus the Proferrin, but the ferrous sulfate got to be too hard on my GI, so silly me, I quit taking anything. Of course my hemoglobin dropped to 8.4 and my doc wanted me to have IV iron infusions, but I don't have insurance and can't justify the cost right now. So I've been just taking Proferrin. I haven't been back to get a CBC since I started Proferrin so I don't know if its going to be enough for me at this time due to female issues. However, I think you've made a good choice, it's good stuff. Here's what the Iron Disorders Institue has to say about it:

"Proferrin®: Performance studies indicate that iron absorption rates are between 15% and 20% without erythropoietin (EPO) therapy and as high as 30% with EPO therapy even in patients with high serum ferritin values (>600 ng/ml). In one study, the change in serum iron from Proferrin® was nearly 23 times greater than from an identical dose of ferrous fumarate. Also, study participants were able to tolerate up to 60 mgs per dose on an empty stomach with fewer gastrointestinal side effects; a common complaint from patients taking traditional oral iron preparations. An additional benefit of heme iron supplementation is that patients can take it with their meals, unlike ionic iron preparations, which must be taken on an empty stomach between meals. The FDA allowed the marketing of Proferrin® in the United States in late 2000. It is available in both an over-the-counter at most Walgreen's Drugstores and prescription form." http://www.irondisorders.org/supplements

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Post edited by: cyberscryber, at: 04/16/2012 11:23 PM

Thank you for your response. I just spoke to my Dr. yesterday and she told me to take at least 120-200 mgs. of elemental iron. I might call colorado labs to ask how much proferrin I can take a day.i believe 1 tab. of proferrin is only 12 mgs. of elemental iron. either that, or i just have to supplement it with a non-hemme iron as it absorbs better when taken with heme iron. Thank you!

You're welcome. Yes, one tablet of Proferrin ES has 12 mgs elemental iron, where-as the 325 mgs ferrous sulfate tabs (that most doctors prescribe first line) have 65 mgs elemental iron. So your doctor is wanting you to take 2-3, 325 mg ferrous sulfate tabs a day. Therefore you would need at least 10 tablets minimum of the Profferin daily.

I'm pretty confident that Colorado Biolabs will not tell you to take more than 1-3 tabs a day without doctor's orders because of the liability. If I were you, I'd print the clinical study from the above post and take it and the Proferrin to show your doctor and ask again how much s/he wants you to take. S/he might let you get by with taking less.

Today, I took 9 tablets in divided doses of 3 tablets each which equals 108 mgs elemental iron. Usually I only take 3-6 tablets a day but today I actually remembered to take as many as I need to. No GI side effects at all so far. I know the Proferrin is expensive, but for me its worth it because I just can't tolerate the ferrous sulfate any longer.

My Dr. suggested taking 10 proferrin tabs. a day. She wants me to also try taking proferrin with carbonyl iron (Feosol) or Ferro sequel, that way, it won't be too expensive. I have acid reflux but discontinued my prilosec due to my iron supplement (so far I'm ok without it yaay! as long as I watch what i eat) Have you, tried the proferrin combo with other iron supplement?

Post edited by: rusticlark, at: 04/22/2012 12:26 PM

Post edited by: rusticlark, at: 04/22/2012 12:28 PM

Yes, I have taken Proferrin with ferrous sulfate as it is supposed to help the ferrous sulfate iron absorb better. After looking at the price of the iron infusions, I decided the h.e. double hockey sticks with the non-heme iron. I can supplement entirely with Proferrin even though its $50.00 a bottle and its still cheaper than infusions. The ferrous sulfate is just simply not worth the gastro upset when I have access to Proferrin.

If you need it, you can take ranitidine(Zantac) for your reflux, (assuming it won"t interfere with any other medication you are on--ask your doctor first) and as long as you don't take it 2 hours before or after the non-heme iron supplements. Heme-iron absorption is not supposed to be effected by less acid in the stomach, but I always take my ranitidine at night before bed just in case.