it's possible. calcium can decrease absorption of iron from plant foods (nonheme) such as vegetables beans soy and wheat. animal sources of iron (heme) are more efficiently absorbed (15-35%) than nonheme (2-20%)-- and diet doesn't seem to influence this absorption. examples of heme iron sources include beef turkey and chicken. you can try a few things like taking calcium with snacks instead of main meals and adding vitamin c sources (strawberries tomato products kale oranges kiwi broccoli cantaloupe melon) to increase iron absorption from nonheme sources. adding meat to any meal will also increase iron absorption from nonheme sources. two examples include making bean soup with tomatoes and some ground beef or topping iron-fortified cereal with strawberries. see this article for top iron-rich foods.
can taking a 600 mg calcium supplement with breakfast and dinner decrease iron absorption? . i have ra and take methotrexate. my bi-monthly cbc shows each time that i am slightly more anemic. could the calcium supplement be part of the problem?