I've been donating to the Stanford Blood Center for over a decade, and there was a time when it was a real challenge for me to pass the hemoglobin test (partly because I rarely eat meat). It seemed like I'd fail the hemoglobin test more often than I'd pass it, because it was just too much work for me to beef up my diet and nutrition for 2-3 weeks before a donation. I had to buy expensive vitamins and drink spinach smoothies, in order to just get to the 12.5 passing rate, and sometimes I just couldn't afford to do those things.
I felt guilty when I'd fail the hemoglobin test, because I was told my blood is in the rare percentage that can be donated to babies. I feel like I should donate as much as I can. I know that I am very blessed to have found ways to maintain good health, so I think it's important to give back when you can... but it was just so hard to keep my hemoglobin levels up!
But thankfully, I finally discovered a cheap and SUPER easy way to keep my iron levels high, every single time. Now, I am able to donate every 8 weeks, which means I can schedule my donations for every 8 weeks, and actually DONATE, instead of being sent home because my iron was too low. Now, I can do about 6 blood donations per year (as opposed to donating only 4 times a year).
The key, for me, is to take Nature Made Prenatal vitamins. I'm guessing there are many other brands that would work well, but this is the one that I used because it was just $15.99 (on sale) at Costco, for a 5-month supply. That's less than $3 a month! (UPDATE: Please note, with the soaring cost of inflation, the price has gone up, but it's still by far the cheapest iron-boosting method I have found)! You can CLICK HERE to see if it's on sale at Costco.
My hemoglobin levels used to typically be in the 11-12.5 range, but when I take these pills, they are usually at LEAST 12.5, and have been slightly above 15!
I love these pills because they are not only affordable, but they're very easy to swallow (despite their slightly large size). The surface is very smooth and kind of "slippery" so it goes right down my throat as long as I take it with a bite of food. And they don't make me feel nauseous. Some iron supplements make me queasy, but not these : )
Here's a link for the type I take (I think it's even cheaper at Costco).
When the gut isn’t protected by correct nutrition and a balanced microbiome, it can become more permeable, which leads to inflammation in response to toxins, partially digested foods, and opportunistic pathogens.
Mucous-loving microbes
Another important function of butyrate is its ability to reinforce the mucous layer of the intestinal layer. The mucous layer is covered in a protein called mucin, responsible for its trademark gel texture.
Butyrate can increase the production of MUC2, the most abundant mucin in the gut lining. This is the mucous layer. The gut microbes responsible for producing butyrate are both nourished by prebiotic fibers and fed by fellow microbial neighbours.
Certain kinds of probiotics can actually help you to raise your iron levels.
GoodBelly® Probiotic Supplement for Digestive Health & Iron Absorption- Includes 10 Billion Live & Active Cultures of Lactobacillus Plantarum - Vegan Probiotic (30 Capsules per Bottle)
I'm copying and pasting all the reviews with the word "iron" (whether they're positive, negative, or neutral).
FILTERED BY
containing "iron"Clear filter
35 global reviews
This filter only shows ratings with reviews.
From the United States
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019
Keep in mind there are different versions of this pill - one with DHA, one without. For pregnancy, make sure you buy the version WITH DHA. It is listed on the back, second to last on the list, as Omega 3 (DHA) 200 mg. I've been taking this for 3 years, during which I had 2 pregnancies, and I have no complaints. Two healthy babies! No smell or taste. This vitamin stood out to me because 1. it contains a full daily dose of Iron (most other prenatals do not) and 2. you only have to take 1 pill per day. Beware that any gummy vitamin will not contain Iron. It's not possible to put Iron into a gummy formula (scientists haven't figured that out yet). This prenatal really has nothing missing. Some people complain about the low amount of calcium. But, keep in mind, a full daily dose of calcium in 1 pill would be a HUGE pill! Therefore, if your calcium is low and you dont eat dairy, take a separate calcium pill as needed.
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020
Switched to these from a popular brand of prenatal gummies when my leg cramps (which I get with all of my pregnancies) started flaring about 18 weeks. I had been very low on energy, needing to take daily naps and generally feeling rundown when I realized the gummies did not have any iron or much magnesium so I decided to give these a shot. They can be tough to swallow but wow have I noticed a dramatic increase in energy levels and how I feel! A night and day difference. Now 25 weeks pregnant, I can make it through the day without needing to nap and the painful charley horses have not returned since. I feel healthy again and very happy with this product!
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
I wish I hadn’t been so cheap while I was pregnant and I would have bought these! I am not currently pregnant, but “they” say that women “of child baring age” should take prenatal vitamins. So here I am. I’ve gone through two full term pregnancies (over the last 5 years) and with both I took the Target brand prenatals. With both pregnancies I was anemic and had to take extra iron supplements. I’ve been taking the target brand ever since, until the pandemic hit and I ran out of vitamins. I am at the age where I can tell if I missed a day of vitamins so I ordered these and I’m so glad I did. I can feel the difference! I have even dropped my extra iron supplement and I feel great.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2020
I've bought these vitamins from NatureMade before, but something about the last batch I was shipped is super off. They smell so strongly of blood/iron that it made me gag, and I couldn't imagine asking a pregnant woman with morning sickness to swallow them. Even left my hands smelling like it for an hour after taking one despite washing them. Not happy!
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
I love it! I started off chewing gummies but it got too sweet to eat 2 candies before going to bed every night, so I switched to these. I was scared I was going to get sick from the iron but it doesn't bother me at all. I take it at night before going to sleep, on a full stomach, to minimize risk of feeling nauseous from the vitamins.
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2019
Long after the 'morning sickness' phase, these caused all sorts of digestion and nausea issues. After getting an ok from my Dr, I tested a week on/a week off/a week on and was able to determine it was this multi vitamin. I switched to another prenatal with less iron and haven't had an issue since.
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2020
I can not evaluate how well these vitamins work, I have never tried any other prenatal vitamins but a serious downside for me is a strong metallic taste in my mouth in a few hours after I take them. I know that it might be because they contain iron and zink and it is very individual but I consider buying different vitamins to see if I experience the same. One day when I accidentally forgot to take the vitamins, I did not have any unpleasant taste sensations. Unfortunately, my doctor has not given me any recommendations as to vitamins so I am trying to find what works the best for me on my own.
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2020
Has no flavor to me. Super easy to swallow. And it seems to work really well! It doesn’t make me sick like some other prenatals have. It also has extra supplements to help with my low iron deficiency.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2020
I wanted at least 100% daily value of Iron, Vitamin D3 and Folate and something that wouldn’t break the bank in a Prenatal. I’ve been taking this since a few months before pregnancy and have continued to take it post pregnancy for breastfeeding and general health. I’ve been very happy with this product.
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2020
Doctor wanted me to take prenatal vitamins because they have iron in them. I am anemic & 78 yrs old. I’m very pleased with them, but they are very hard for me to swallow. I have a had time with most larger pills getting them down. Wish they had this brand is gummies
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
this product horribly upset my stomach so i switched to a prenatal gummy and an iron supplement. these made me vomit every time i tried to take them. also, these pills are GIANT. i much prefer the target brand gummies i have been taking.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
Pretty good vitamin, except taking them several days in a row made me constipated, likely from the iron content. I switched to an iron-less vitamen and switched to an easier to absorb iron.
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2019
The only thing I don't like is it do NOT have iron in it so you have to take that extra
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
Keeps my iron up.
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020
Great vitamins. However with iron and the ingredient to help counteract iron side effect it upset my stomach. I’m sure its hit and miss for everyone.
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2014
I routinely give blood to the Red Cross and so must keep my system built up to replenish my blood. This prenatal multiple with iron and DHA is easy to use and gentle on my stomach. I am now a senior citizen but prefer this multi over all other brands.
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2015
I want to be fair to this product, but I also need to tell what happened to me after taking these. I started taking this supplement because my doctor recommended I start taking a prenatal up to 6 months before trying to conceive. I loved that this was only one soft gel a day and was easy to swallow with no aftertaste. Soon after, I started to get seriously ill..I thought it was pre wedding nerves and stress. I don't want to go into detail but let's just say it was like I had severe food poisoning, I could barely work and felt absolutely awful. Then finally, I realized the only other thing that was different was I was taking these pills! So I stopped, and literally the very next day went back to normal. I did some research and if you are not currently pregnant the high level of iron in these can greatly affect your stomach. I'm just glad I figured out the cause before my honeymoon - would not have been romantic!! I'm sure these are great/fine to take if you are actually pregnant, but I would recommend taking an iron free version if not.
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2017
I found these hard on my stomach, probably the iron. Like the gummies better although not thrilled about added sugars.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2018
they're not as iron/vitamin smelly
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
In terms of the vitamin make-up of the pills, these are some of the best. But in terms of taste and nauseousness, they are awful. I take them directly before going to sleep or I'm incredibly nauseous. And never, ever take them on an empty stomach - the one time I did, I ended up vomitting. It's bad enough when you're already nauseous from pregnancy but these tend to make it a bit worse. But again, they do have everything I need - some are partial to the gummies but those often don't contain iron.
From the United States
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2017
I used to love these vitamins, but ever since the new and improved formula, I have gotten three bottles that have had an leaking vitamin in them. The iron/fishy smell when I open the bottle is disgusting, and I can't swallow them because I can taste it in my mouth. I am looking for a new prenatal vitamin now.
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2017
I can't tolerate these and had to throw them out. They caused horrible black, tarry diarrhea because of the excess iron. Why do they have 150% DV of iron? That's likely to make anyone sick!
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
Nobody really knows if vitamin pills do anything, but in this case, I know this much: This product contains 150% of the recommended dose of iron. Got my blood tested recently, and was told that my iron levels were high, possibly TOO high. Seems like maybe the iron dosage in this pill is a bit overzealous? Depends on your needs, of course. But I'm not buying them again.
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2018
This hit the needs for a prenatal, except for giving me horrible stomachaches. I spoke with a few family members that tried & discontinues this prenatal (it’s readily available online & local stores), and they had similar issues due to the high iron.
The slick coated capsule was easier to get down than most vitamins, so def a plus.
The slick coated capsule was easier to get down than most vitamins, so def a plus.
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2018
Great vitamins because they contain everything you need, and price is not very high. Yes, these are not gummies (i just finished a bottle from some other brand, and that was a bottle just for a month, i had to take 6 gummies every day and there was no iron or calcium!). But swallowing just one this pill you get everything you need, I personally feel how my nails are getting better day by day. There is some unpleasant smell, but I don’t care as far as i can swallow it and forget about vitamins for today.
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2020
This prenatal vitamin has all the necessary nutrients a growing baby would need (including iron, which is missing from a lot of the gummy prenatal vitamins out there) at a very cost efficient price. A word of caution to those in their first trimester and experiencing bouts of morning sickness though -- the pills have a slight seaweed smell and taste, which could be very off-putting depending on your food aversions.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2015
I tried several different kinds of vitamins and these were, by far, the best. Gummy prenatals are easier to take on the tummy, but they don't contain iron. In my opinion, these are the best bet for an all-in-one daily prenatal.
PROS:
-- They contain DHA and iron, so you only have to take one pill.
-- They're not too huge AND they're smooth, so they go down easily.
CONS:
-- They have a fishy odor (especially when you open the bottle and get a whiff of a bunch of them), which can be highly unpleasant when you're pregnant. Get your husband/BF/partner/friend to get one out for you if your sense of smell is on overdrive!
-- They turn your pee neon yellow soon after you take them.
-- Like all vitamins (especially those with iron), they can contribute to your nausea (I found that taking them with food and at night lessened the effects!!)
PROS:
-- They contain DHA and iron, so you only have to take one pill.
-- They're not too huge AND they're smooth, so they go down easily.
CONS:
-- They have a fishy odor (especially when you open the bottle and get a whiff of a bunch of them), which can be highly unpleasant when you're pregnant. Get your husband/BF/partner/friend to get one out for you if your sense of smell is on overdrive!
-- They turn your pee neon yellow soon after you take them.
-- Like all vitamins (especially those with iron), they can contribute to your nausea (I found that taking them with food and at night lessened the effects!!)
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2017
Only prenatals I will take. Take at night because the iron is super high as it is a prenatal and it might make you sick.
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2018
Great for people who are anemic! Have the required Iron that we need!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2016
So far I take these at night with my dinner and I like that they have iodine and iron. Might need to get a calcium supplement though if you don't drink much milk like me.
From the United States
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
I really like these prenatal. They do have iron but I do not get sick from it when I did with other vitamins with iron.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2015
I've tried a dozen different prenatal and these are my favorite. It's one gel cap that includes everything you need (most prenatals still don't have DHA) and no aftertaste at all. This is by far the best prenatal for those who suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum like I did throughout pregnancy and need something that will have ZERO taste and also not make their stomaches worse with hard iron. I have used this throughout breastfeeding as it contains all the necessary supplements for that period as well, and I recommend it to all mommies-to-be.
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2013
So I am a pharmacy student, and will be graduating shortly. I chose this for my fiancee to take (whom isn't pregnant) to try and condense some of the other supplements she takes. This provides folic acid, B complex vitamins, iron and fish oils. Its a bit pricey but it eliminates all the other supplements needed so the cost balances out. She likes taking them and says they are easy to swallow and easy on her stomach.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
I've read many reviews saying they were very harsh on your stomach and LADIES THEY WERE NOT LYING!!! I tried them with food, without food, different foods. Whenever I take them it made me feel like I have the flu for a few hours. I'm not saying they are bad, I'm just saying I cannot handle them. Good luck
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2016
No overwhelming foul taste. Easy to swallow. I take these at night so that may help with noticing any taste. Easy to have everything in one pill, though I have to take a separate Iron supplement as well.
