i've had absolutely no gastric discomfort from the pills. if anything, my feces has really hardened up, quite a lot - which is supposedly normal. so, my body isn't giving me any signals that it wants me to slow down on the iron.

i am concerned about metals & alzheimers, but i seem to be a long ways from needing to concern myself with iron buildup. and, while i don't want to take zinc pills, and will resist it unless necessary, if it seems like it's an absorption issue with phytates, then it might be the better answer than eating more meat.