Multivitamin and mineral supplements that include iron

[violaine]

is it true that you should not take a multivitamin and mineral supplement containing iron unless you have been diagnosed as iron deficient by your doctor?

[WendyW]

According to http://www.thevitamindigest.com/news/2000/feb2200s
upplements.htm They say that Iron is one of the most frequent causes of fatal poisonings in children who take supplements meant for adults. High doses in adults also are linked to heart disease.

[comloulou]

And I'll tell you what, when I take it I get a black tongue and my number 2's go black. Probably best avoided...!

[Gef]

If you eat a balanced diet then there is no need to take any supplements of any sort.

[sweetheart]

I disagree - you still need what you CAN'T possible get in a days worth of eating.

[FP]

My doctor told me that you should not take iron supplements unless you have been told that you need it.   He also told me that they used to give iron tablets out automatically to pregnant ladies years ago, but stopped doing it because apparently only 10% needed it and the remaining 90% were taking it unnecessarily.  I was one of those who was given iron when I was pregnant but told to stop as it was making me really sick and I didn't need it anyway.