I should think an iron deficiency quite rare unless you are growing in a artificial medium i.e. not soil. As ronalawn82 implied it is more likely an iron availability problem rather than an iron deficiency problem. One way this is corrected is with a "chelate" as suggested. In any event I cannot imagine how iron supplements for animals like acquarium food or human vitamines would work. These might indeed work fine. I just can't visualise the chemical mechanisms BTW, what are your symptoms. Are you seeing chlorosis? If so this could be caused by poor drainage, damaged roots, magnesium or zinc deficiencies or other things.

DH and I have both had Advantage plans since we were eligible for Medicare. Here's how it works in our state: We still pay the Part B Medicare premium (about $100 per month) which is deducted from our SS checks. Then we each pay another $59 for Advantage, which is also deducted (we had a choice to pay it separately or have it deducted). We have co-pays for almost everything (except certain preventive procedures and a physical each year), with a cap of $3,400 each year. Some Advantage plans have dental and vision included. The benefits are often more than what is offered by Medicare Part B. A couple of years ago, we were thinking of moving 65 miles away and the very same Advantage plan would have cost us another $70 per month, each, just living in another county. Some years we have had a $0 co-pays. Then that company stopped offering Advantage plans. Our first year, we were in a plan with no cap and DH had unexpected surgeries, MRSA, and we had co-pays of well over $4,000. So, I learned to check out whether there was a cap and how high it was. We have always subscribed to plans where we could go to whatever doctor we chose (a very few refuse Medicare patients and one year, doctors refused the plan - that had $0 monthly premium and $0 co-pays - so I ended up enrolling, within 90 days of when the plan started, in a different plan that doctors would accept). It's very complicated as it takes several hours each year, online, of comparing plans for what we think will work best for us. Part D is even worse as DH takes over 10 meds. But, overall, it's much, much better than any health insurance we had before reaching age 65 (we had to enroll in private plans for about 6 years before being eligible for Medicare).

I've been battling anemia and low ferritin levels for several years, so I sympathize with your symptoms. Not sure what you are taking, but it does take your body a little time to adjust. I started out taking OTC slow-fe and it really did a number on my stomach. My doctor recommended Ferrochel which is a chelated iron and easily absorbed by the body, with little to no side effects. My brand is from Designs for Health which my doctor sells. A couple of things to remember. Caffeine, chocolate and tannins in tea will interfere with iron absorption, so if you can, try to limit consumption. Popping a vitamin C or taking the iron with OJ will help your body absorb it quicker and more fully. Iron supplements are constipating, so be careful. Good luck!

Iron. Here's something I've had experience with recently. There's so many things so many people do NOT know about iron. For instance: - Yes, cast iron pans give the food iron. But some things detract from the body absorbing the iron so it's equally important to not prevent the body from using what you're giving it, whether it's a supplement or from food or food preparation. - Eggs contain phosvitin and that inhibits the absorption of iron. So do other vitamins. So if you take iron supplements do not take them at the same time as other, such as a multi-vitamin. - Other items inhibit iron absorption: Calcium (so watch your milk, cheese and similar intake), tea, coffee, whole grains, excess fiber... and more. Your diet is important to the effectiveness of medications and supplements. - Vitamin C, however, HELPS the body absorb iron. So that's something that's good to take with the iron supplement. - Many iron supplements will cause your stool to turn black. Blood in the intestines can also, among other things. So know the difference. It can be quite a surprise if you're not aware of it. And when I first saw this after the blood-in-stool issues from before, it's a slap in the face waker-upper. (My GF and sister were about to call 911! LOL) - Medications can work with each other or against each other. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Doctors don't know everything, nor do they tell you everything.