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My doctor said to use over the counter Vitron C for Iron. It contains iron plus Vitamin C, which facilitates absorption of the iron.
Regarding Vitamin D deficiency, that's definitely a talk-to-your doctor issue. In some cases you might need prescription Calcitriol, for example. As my dr explained to me, regular Vitamin D supplements must be "converted" or "activated" in the body, and some people need the pre-converted/pre-activated prescription form called Calcitriol.
I used Vitron C as an iron supplement a little over a year ago when it was discovered that my hemoglobin had dropped significantly over 6 months and I was seriously iron deficient. The doctor didn't specify a brand or the amount when she
instructed me to take iron, but I was looking for a brand that I could tolerate without GI issues, and read that taking Vitamin C ( or drinking orange juice) with an iron tab would enhance absorption of the iron. I found the Vitron C ( has 65 mg elemental iron, and vitamin C), followed the directions to take it on an empty stomach a couple hours before any other meds. I woke up at around 5AM anyway to heed the call of nature, so I took it then. I had no problems at all taking it.
It didn't do very well at correcting my iron levels and anemia when I was also having issues with some serious GI bleeding. This turned out to be colon cancer, but fortunately I have beaten that so far, and the Vitron C helped to get my hemoglobin and iron levels back to somewhere approaching normal once I wasn't bleeding anymore- this after a booster of two iron infusions. They wanted to do a third iron infusion some time later, and I talked them into letting me try the Vitron C again to see if that would help. It did and they were happy with the results.
I've recommended Vitron C to my PCP and cohorts, and the oncologist just for their information. They had never heard of it.
I have taken a variety of over-the-counter vitamin D supplements 5000 I.U. and had my blood redrawn to test for improvement, and I have found it doesn't matter which brand I take, fyi. They all work.
That's definitely not true. It varies from person to person (melanin content of their skin) and the latitude where they live.
Rule of thumb, if you're burning, you over did. Otherwise, enjoy the sun, it's good for you. Many more people die from causes linked to too little sun exposure than they do to skin cancer.
My meticulous neighbor and friend complained to me after a year and concerted effort her vitamin D levels remained low. I clued her into needing K2 with D3. She gave it a try and retested and it worked ... Once in a while I know something she doesn't.
20 years ago I went to give blood. They told me I was anemic. They told me to go to the drug store and get ferrous sulfate. I remember my iron levels recovered very rapidly. It was then and is a cheap generic way to recover iron levels.
Instead of supplement brands, what may matter more are the specific formulations of iron and Vit D based on what your specific needs happen to be. Do you actually have a deficiency or iron/vit D sensitive health conditions? Some formulations may address those better than others. I tend to avoid dotcom links because I know they're trying to sell me something and they're going to suggest theirs is best. Educate yourself about how those supplements work overall. Non commercial information sources like these may provide more baseline nutritional information you can use to evaluate and choose brands:
Study up on the brands that Olympic and other athletes use for their supplementation. I did that years ago. I take Usana (though I believe that is usurped by something even better now). I use Douglas Labs a lot. I feel if I am going to supplement I should use a high quality or there may just be no point to it.
My meticulous neighbor and friend complained to me after a year and concerted effort her vitamin D levels remained low. I clued her into needing K2 with D3. She gave it a try and retested and it worked ... Once in a while I know something she doesn't.
That's definitely not true. It varies from person to person (melanin content of their skin) and the latitude where they live.
Rule of thumb, if you're burning, you over did. Otherwise, enjoy the sun, it's good for you. Many more people die from causes linked to too little sun exposure than they do to skin cancer.
I used to believe this too, until I was plagued by skin cancers. I'm fair and blue-eyed (Swedish) and now being told to stay out of the sun altogether. I can see blotches form after just a few minutes.
Now that we retired on the beach, at the equator, lol.
So I take Life Extension Vit. D with K and sea-iodine. 5,000 units. We both take it and DH is b-12 deficient so he takes LE sub-lingual B-12. We trust LE and have taken their supplements for over a decade.
I wear sunscreen on my face and just cover up everything else with sun-protective clothing. Yeah, it's too hot, but what can ya do.....
Best iron to take is Slow Fe. I need to take two a day as I am borderline anemic. Any brand of Vit. D works as my wife had a Vit. D deficiency and she took about three different brands over a period of six months. When tested again, she was no longer deficient in it.
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... Once in a while I know something she doesn't. 
