As a male runner, can I take an iron supplement or is that not okay without seeking medical advice?
As a male runner, can I take an iron supplement or is that not okay without seeking medical advice?
It's fine.
Um I would definitely check with your doctor first. Do you even know if your iron is low? Taking too much iron can be very serious (look up iron overload).
MAY you take iron supplements, MORON. Do you want to be rude/use bad grammer?
Yes, you MAY.
ventolin ^3 wrote:
MAY you take iron supplements, MORON. Do you want to be rude/use bad grammer?
Yes, you MAY.
He wasn't asking for your permission.
Taking an iron pill every few days isn't going to cause poisoning or have a negative health side effect, but it may help his running if he is low. If you're feeling run down, and you're legs seem to take longer than usual to recover, then taking an iron supplement could help.
teheeii wrote:
As a male runner, can I take an iron supplement or is that not okay without seeking medical advice?
There is no reason to take iron unless you know you have a deficiency. It costs money and there are some indications that it can cause harm (although extremely unlikely at sensible quantities).
But the important point is that if you have symptoms which you think might be helped by taking iron it could be that they point some other problem. You're better off getting a proper diagnosis.
You should probably get a blood test before taking Iron Supplements.
The UK National Health Service Web site says:
" If you take iron supplements, don't take too much, because this could be harmful.
Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. However, continue taking a higher dose if advised to by your GP."
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Iron.aspx
The problem is that if you genuinely are iron deficient your GP will put you on 200mg of ferrous iron three times a day. Taking 17mg will not alleviate symptoms of iron deficiency.
However taking 200mg+ of iron is hard on the stomach and makes ones poo black - it's unpleasant. It's also harmful to your health if you are not iron deficient.
I personally wouldn't take iron without having a blood test. I am currently taking iron because I have been advised to by my GP.