Supplements: what helps, what to avoid

Helpful, when your team advises: folic acid (commonly prescribed, often about 1 mg/day); calcium and vitamin D for bones (around 2,000 IU vitamin D daily); and zinc if a test shows it’s low. A daily multivitamin WITHOUT iron can be reasonable.

Be careful with vitamin C. In high doses without active chelation it can release stored iron in a way that strains the heart, so it’s only used in small amounts and usually alongside a deferoxamine infusion (about 2–3 mg/kg/day), on medical advice. Small amounts from everyday food are fine.

Avoid iron supplements entirely (and check any multivitamin is iron-free) unless prescribed. Run herbal or “natural” products past your team first — some (like silymarin for the liver, or L-carnitine) have a role but need medical guidance, and others lack evidence.