How do you time your supplements?

[red37 116]

I have been taking a multi Vitamin, b-12, and calcium citrate. I now have to add extra Vitamin D and Iron (blood builder). I know there are certain times of day to take these, some that can't be taken with others, some that can make your stomach hurt. I am Trying to figure out how to add these new ones in. What is your schedule like for taking daily supplements? Do you have something that works for you?

[Cervidae 2,389]

I take a multi, an antacid, an iron/folic acid/b12 supplement, and Calcium in the morning. in the evening I take birth control, krill oil, another multi, and a Biotin tablet. I've never had any problems, except when I was accidentally taking the wrong kind of calcium, which made me dump. >.>

[wicked 61]

I take 2 Ursodiol (to prevent gallstones), 1 Multivitamin, 1 Vitamin D, 2 Calcium, and 1 Iron pill per day.

I take B12 Vitamin every other day because at my last check up I had too much of it in my system so they switched it from every day to every other day.

I take my 1st ursodiol and calcium first thing in the morning. I take the Multivitamin, vitamin D and b12 together with food (usually lunch time) and than I take my 2nd ursodiol and calcium in the late afternoon and finally the Iron before going to sleep (paying attention to have at least a 2 hours gab in between calcium and iron).

The calcium is my favorite supplement because it tastes like a miniature chocolate brownie:

https://www.celebratevitamins.com/calcet-creamy-bites-chocolate-fudge-90-count.html

Edited September 16, 2015 by wicked

[red37 116]

Thank you @@wicked! That is helpful. And yum, that Calcium sounds delicious!!

[Daisee68 2,493]

My B12 is nasal spray and only 1 x per week on Saturdays (super easy to remember).

I take Synthroid in the mornings, so I cannot take my supplements (especially calcium) within 4 hours of that. The only restriction I know of other than that is not taking your Iron at the same time as the Calcium. Of course there are so many multi-Vitamins that contain both calcium and Iron, I am not sure I understand that rule. Having said all that, I take 1 multi-Vitamin just after lunch (and sometimes my calcium which is combined with D) and then my other Multi-Vitamin with iron and Biotin at dinner. My first labs at 3 month follow up came back great. In fact, my calcium was a little high (which is a problem for me because my body doesn't process calcium correctly so I have long term chronic kidney stones). My endocrinologist took me off the calcium citrate as long as I was having 1 Premier Protein drink per day (contains 50% of RDA calcium) and 2 oz of cheese (which is a no brainer for me because I love cheese and it helps with my Protein and calcium). I will see how this worked at my next labs in a couple of months.

I think likely the most important thing is to a) take them all with food (unless they state differently) and be consistent. With those consistencies, your dr will be better able to adjust once your labs are done.

[red37 116]

Thanks cervidae and daisee! I am going to create a plan to start tomorrow on a new schedule.