Iron requirements during pregnancy

[Arimeh]

I started taking iron tablets when I found myself being really lethargic and it was hard to move - a total effort.

I got ones from the chemist, and no constipation issues at all, but I do feel much better. I also introduced meat into our diet just two days a week because we were following a vegetarian diet before that.

[Heaven]

Nope, no constipation or anything here either

[Jaycee]

I would definitely start taking an iron tablet.

I am having to take 2 tablets a day as my iron levels were extremely low, if they're still as low at my next appointment I will need to have an iron transfusion.

I've had a little trouble with constipation, but that's more likely due to the fact that I need 2 tablets a day, but I have been able to combat the problem by taking some fibre tablets too and all is good

[M D]

AE & Jaycee - what brand do you take? and what dosage?

[emc2]

You could try googling lists of food, have a look at which foods have iron in them and which foods have vitamin C which helps you absorb iron.

[Jaycee]

I take ferro-grad C, it's got vitamin C in it, which helps to absorb the iron quicker. I take 2 tablets per day, but that is recommended by my midwife as my iron levels are extremely low. I'd suggest you only need 1 a day.

[M D]

Ok so now I am confussed. The Blackmores multi I take has 5mg of iron in it, the RDI is 27mg for pregnant women. The ferro-grad I just looked up has 105 mg of elemental iron in it? The last thing I want to be doing is taking too much.

[emc2]

Only a certain amount gets absorbed so don't panic.

I would still eat food from different sources, in fact there's undiscovered nutrients in food that they don't know what effect they have.

[sconeonamission]

I take ferro-grad C, it's got vitamin C in it, which helps to absorb the iron quicker. I take 2 tablets per day, but that is recommended by my midwife as my iron levels are extremely low. I'd suggest you only need 1 a day.

I have low iron too (at the last test a week and half ago, it was only at 97), and it had dropped, even after I was eating more foods with iron in. I made an effort - and failed!! lol

My sister recommended ferro-grad C, but I have no idea how much it costs, or where to get it from. I have just been taking Floradix - a liquid iron supplement.

The health food shop also recommended this stuff (I can't remember what it was called) but you mix the sachet with some orange juice to help absorb it better/faster.

My problem is - I KNOW I have low iron, but I just can't bring myself to pay money to fix me...

If you do take iron supplements, take them with vitamin c or orange juice, and stay away from caffeine and other inhibitors for about 30 mins after the iron intake.

Best of luck xx

[Arimeh]

I take the ferro grad c as well. Any extra that isn't absorbed expels out if your body so don't worry about over dosing on it, my poo went a bit green there for awhile lol