Low iron levels + reaction to iron

[Kazbah]

So my iron is low - 4 and 97 (whatever that means). Today I went in for an iron transfusion, but after 5 mins it was stopped cause I was having a bit of a reaction to it - short of breath, flushed, feeling hot, tingling lips, tight chest. So they gave me oxygen and cortisone and observed me for a couple of hours.

They asked about other iron supplements - I am slack with taking iron cause I get horrid constipation, and have been having bad nausea after taking the tablets. I got iron injections when I was pregnant with Pip and still have the staining - I thought it was just cause the doctor missed the proper spot but apparently that's an allergic reaction too.

So has this happened to anyone else? Or does anyone know what my options are? They were talking about kicking me out of the birth centre program if my iron levels got too low, but if I can't have anything iron, the registrar was saying it may be something I may just have to live with (and the FBC)

Ta in advance.

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

hmmm not sure if i can help, my iron level was at 10 in my last lot of bloods and i was told to take either ferro grad or some other type of tablet - but like you, i get severe constipation on the tabs, so my ob suggested Spatone which a liquid iron supplement (apparently it is "clinically proven" not to cause constipation) . As it is a liquid supplement, it is not as strong as the tabs so i have to have two satchets a day, one in the morning and one at night with a half glass of orange juice for better absorption. Now, so far (i have been on them since i was 9 weeks) i have not had any constipation!

HTH

[luna moth]

Not all iron supplements constipate. If you own any ferrograd, throw it, aggressively, out the nearest window. Spatone or Floradix are good liquid supplements. Use them in conjunction with a chelated iron supplement, like Fefol or Fabfol. Every day, eat 6 dried apricots and dates - these are high in iron, and definitely do not constipate. Every second day, I also take spirulina tabs, 6 in the morning and 6 at night. If all that doesn't work, I'd say that yes, maybe it is something you have to live with. And you clearly are, and doing fairly well. But give it a try.

The 4 and 97 is your ferritin and haemoglobin levels, and both are really low.

[Alan]

Hi Kazbah

Iron infusions can be quite nasty and a lot of people react to it. The staining caused by the iron injections is not an allergic reaction. It is just staining and usually caused by a poor technique, however if you had a few injections then it would be very difficult to prevent some staining.
My suggestion would be for you to take a liquid iron supplement such as Floradix or Spatone. They are more expensive than the tablets but are absorbed better and do not cause constipation like the tablets do. If you also take vitamin C this will help your body absorb the iron.

[Kazbah]

I'm just scared to take anything - I have been forcing the tabs down. Have an appt with the FBC GP on Friday to discuss - hope all's OK. Will try the spatone - I was taking it with Pip and it really didn't do much for me, and any OJ has been giving me really bad reflux

[Alan]

If you are having trouble with OJ then take Vit C tablets

[dusty]

I'm taking Flurodix in liquid form. I have to avoid constipation right now (due to anal tear) so I make sure I'm on high fibre diet and the flurodix works really well. Audax's additional suggestion of apricots and dates is good, and I recommend prunes, prune juice and pysllium husks on your cereal are fantastic (cheap version of Metamucil) to keep you regular. I had them every day I was pregnant.

I really hope they allow you to stay on in the BC!

[Pandora]

There's also sodium ascorbate (non acidic) powder that you can take mixed with water for vit c

[Mother Goose]

Iron infusions can be quite nasty and a lot of people react to it.

I'm sorry Alan, I just want to actually say that the chances of someone reacting to an Iron Infusion is actually relatively low. I do A LOT of these at work and am yet to have anyone react to it. The chances of a reaction are so low that in some countries, it is given as a push in stead of infusion.

Kaz, did they give you anything prior to the infusion? I'm sorry you've had a reaction to the infusion and glad they stopped it quickly. I hope you can still have your birth centre birth.

[Rivlas]

Liquid iron works alot better & quicker than tablets and usually without the sife effects. Kiwi fruit is very high in vit c. The ones we have used are Floradix and the Booth brand.

Hope the FBC staff help, they are really good and the DR is also able to help with some ideas

[Alan]

MG

perhaps I should not have said a lot of people. I have also done a few iron infusions and seen a couple of reactions to it. (mild thankfully). I don't think I would want to be present for a push

[luna moth]

OJ is not your only source of Vit C. Potatoes are a really good source too (chuck a boiled spud on your brekkie! ) But also try capsicum, raspberries, blueberries, broccoli and watermelon; they're pretty gentle on the old reflux, too, and will help you boost your levels.

I second dusty on the psyllium husk to relieve constipation - I have a lot of it, and find it's also really good for heartburn.

[beckoes]

sorry to hear your having trouble! i had low iron last time and was told i was anemic. i had iron tabs but they made me very consitpated, the liquid one i ended up taking didnt really help too much although i dont remember which it was. this time round my midwife advised me to try a high iron diet as my levels arent TOO low yet, see if i can manage it that way.

Lots of meat, chicken, fish, eggs, leafy greens etc etc and lots of high in vit c fruit etc. maybe combine that with a liquid iron and it might improve enough for you to stay at the birth centre!

hope all goes well for you.

[Kazbah]

thanks ladies & Alan.

MG - the doc who put in the line said there was a 1 in 1000 chance of reaction - lucky me!

Beckoes / Audax - curiously I've been craving meat (on the med-rare side of the bbq!) and green salads and watermelon. DH (who isn't a red-meat eater!) has agreed to eat meat every night - yay! Might also put tabouleh on the list of salads

[PollyA]

Hey Kazbah,

I am a low iron gestator and can't take oral supplements due to severe reactions,
I also sport lovely iron stains from injections in my first pregnancy
I have never had an iron infusion although that is my plan next pregnancy as my last ditch effort with Floradix in this pregnancy got me so unbelievably constipated that it actually interfered with labour and if I hadn't laboured at home may have ended in emergency C-section...no more oral supplements for me

Anyway, as a vegetarian of 10 years, eating meat every other day was teh only way for me. Combine it with vitamin C tablets.. The Haem iron from red meat is easier to absorb than the iron from tablets. My kids will hopefully one day realised there aren't many people in the world I'd eat meat for but for them...anything!

If you're already craving it your body is one step ahead!
Good luck