Advice on taking iron pills

[amberj]

Due to a post partum haemorrage and a few other issues, my iron levels are pretty bad and I need to get them up. My dr has said to eat lots of red meat, and to take iron pills- I have heard so many bad things about iron pills and their nasty side effects.

Does anyone have any tips for what brands of iron pills might be best, and how to take them to minimise side effects?

I have been considering Floradix, but I think the iron is lower than in iron pills? But if it gives better absorption, maybe its worth it??

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I take Ferrograd-C. Has vitamin C in it to aid absorption.
I have a glass of metamucil a day to help keep me regular and we have encoutered no issues.

[Kazbah]

I take spatone (available from health food shops & some pharmacies) which is a liquid iron supplement. I put it into my berrocca every day. Because its liquid, the consitpation is apparently less?
It works for me!

[shorty]

I think the ones i take are called "ferograd C" the ones in the red bottle have added vit C, so it helps the iron to absorb into your body. I havent had any side effects that ive noticed, but (TMI) it dose make me more regular( and turns it black sorry TMI).

HTH

Simone

[MrsFabuloso]

I do exactly the same as cookiemonster. Just make sure you have plenty of fibre because iron can cause constipation. Eating foods rich in vitamin c with things rich in iron is a good idea too, vitamin c helps with iron absorption. Meat is the best source of iron (haem iron), though other sources (non haem iron) are spinnach, broccoli, almonds, cashews, lentils/chickpeas/soybeans etc...

[The[cookie]Doctor]

and when you take the pill dont take it with caffeine because caffeine hinders absorption.

[Visitor7]

I have extremely low iron, to the point that I collapse at any given time. I also take Ferrograd C. Like cookiemonster said, don't drink tea or coffee one hour either side of taking it. Also eat plenty of red meat, and put salt on your food. You can get Ferrograd C over the counter at the chemist.
It might be best to also get your iron levels checked with your gp. My gp has said that if the Ferrograd doesn't boost my levels, than I'll need an iron fusion.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Sheesh Jodi that's scary, the collapsing.

[Visitor7]

Sure is Ash. Even moreso when it's happening around the girls, or while I'm driving. I flipped my car a few years back as I blacked out once. That was from low iron as well. Fortunately I wasn't injured too much, but totalled my car.

[Kazbah]

geeeze Jodi!

[satya]

I took FGF which is available at chemists. It's iron and folic acid as apparently you need more folic acid when you are low in iron. I had no nasty side affects from it.

[belle75]

Fefol capsules is a slow release formula and has less constipative effects. Try taking with orange juice to help absorb and take heaps of fibre (metamucil is great) 2 tsp in a glass of water three times a day with another glass of water on top. you get constipated because iron just sits in yours stomach without getting absorbed - that's just how it works ( or doesnt work lol). You can also get ferro-liquid. Spatone is a bit pricy and not that concentrated. Dried apricots, brocolli are a good source of iron as well. and yes, no caffeine at the same time (at least 2 hours apart) ie, tea, coffe, cola. hth.

[SJL]

I take Ferro grad c and the only side effect I have had is black bm's, I have been on them for about 2 months and I am almost ready to come of them because my levels have come up to almost normal.

Sjl

[AliBaby]

ferro grad c are best i reckon.

A few years back i had really low iron (it came back in a random blood test i had) The doctor was shocked that I hadnt had worse side effects but because I lived with it for most of my life without knowing I suppose I just got used to it. And i just thought I was tired because of everything else that was going on in my life.

I had to have an iron injection once a fortnight for 3 months. I then went on ferrograd c and havent had a prob with any side effects (but everyone is different). Always have with vitamin c like a glass of oj and when you eat meat make sure you have it with vitamin c. Meals like spag bol are good for boosting iron.

Hope you can get it under control soon. If they continue to stay low ask about the injections to boost your levels up. they arent to painful as they put it in just above your bottom.

PM me if you want some more info on it.

[BellyBelly]

Many midwives recommend floradix as it's more rapidly absorbed, more readily absorbed and with less side effects. It has a berry taste so easier to take than most other liquid supplements.

[Cassius2]

the floradix is good if you have below average iron, BUT when you are borderline anaemic it isnt in a high enough concentration to be a full supplement itms. i tried it for awhile but because my levels were so low it just wasnt upping the levels as my body would use it up and not store it...

i had success also with spirulina and it doesnt have the same side-effects or damage on the body as normal iron supplements, but again, because of it's low grade, i was taking 22 tablets a day i did it and feel it was worth it, but could only maintain it for about 6 months. so now am back to ferro grad c which TBH is just gross, but is only 2-3 tablets for me...

iron injections are beneficial to get over the initial 'hump' of iron deficiency too (at least to help minimise blackouts etc).

[jamakin]

I just started taking spa tone too, same as Kazbah, just from the chemist, its a liquid formula so no constipation and more easily digested, i take it in some oj to help with the absortion. could be worth a try? I highly recommend it.

[RoyaUK]

I've got very low iron levels (and due to give birth soon) and learnt that only about 15% of the iron in tablets are absorbed (at best) by the body. Many have more success with ferrous sulphate liquid.

I actually had an iron infusion today - it took about 5 hrs to do. I'll find out in 2 weeks after a blood test how successful it has been but given the tablets, liquid and lots of red meat (with vit C veggies etc) have done little for me i have great hopes for the infusion!