Really low Iron Levels..

[PeytonsMummy]

Hey all,

I am almost 29 weeks pregnant, i had some blood tests done last week and my midwife called to say that i have dangeriuosly low iron levels and thats about all she said. She said to go to the chemist and get Floradix and inner health plus. I have never been one to beleive in herbal remidies as they never work for me.

I am going to go get them though, it might explain why i have no energy at all and have a never ending cold. This may be TMI but wont all these iron supplements as such make me constipated? I havent been yet during my pregnancy but dont want to be either! Can i take Metamucil or something? Is that safe? or any other suggestions would be great!

Also i have been resting alot lately Obs orders as my blood pressure is high and had some leaking the other day but was neg for amniotic fluid... thankfully! I want to do soem excercise but my mother and partner try to insure i dont leave the house to much lol very over concerned. Should i get like a light work out dvd or something? i feel like a blob atm.. i dont want to over do it just feel good again.. any suggestions?

sorry about the long post!


Thank you!

[butterfly_warrior]

I had chronically low iron levels throughout my pregnancy. The iron tablets did help, but only for a bit and we had to keep increasing my dosage - I guess it was due to the baby getting bigger and demanding more and more iron. Make sure you take vitamin C with your iron, it helps with absorption. Vitamin B is also helpful to keep energy levels up.

Definitely take the metamucil. I lived on it for most of my pregnancy, and it did help and is completely safe.

Must dash - sorry for the quick and short reply, upset baby calling for me.

BW

[Manhattan]

Hi MsJames

I also had my bloodwork yesterday, and was my Iron has been plummeting since i got PG. The midwife told me I'd be best taking Spatone Liquid Iron as it is easily absorbed, and isnt prone to causing constipation like other supplements. Its a tad pricier than other supplements too, but i thought the benefits definitely outway the costs.

Hth

[BellyBelly]

Floradix is a great iron supplement, midwives find that it's more absorbent, less side effects (eg constipation) and more effecive than other iron supplements.

Sometimes you can get a leak in the amniotic sac, but rest assured they can reseal and amniotic fluid is always replenishing. Keep drinking lots of water (or drink more if you're not!) and you should start to feel better when you have some iron in you - it makes you so tired when its low!!!

Floradix is also iron, so it's not a 'herbal' remedy as such that wont work. It's actual iron what your body is lacking.

[PeytonsMummy]

Ahh thank you guys!

That all makes me feel alot better thats its not just me! I have been drinking so much more water the past couple of days.. just means i have to go to the toilet more often! Which is quiet alot now lol..

Well i'll head to the chemist now

Thanks again!

[mbear]

Hon, i got the same phone call at 30 weeks from the midwives....low iron levels. Again, told to take inner health plus and higer dosage of fefol tablets. It worked - at 36 wk bloods my iron levels had risen. Im a vege too, so had to work a bit harder, but the inner health plus and the fefol defn helped...

Good LUck !!!

[Alan]

I would also suggest Floradix. It is absorbed better than other preperations and less likely to cause constipation

[KatieRabbit]

Well I agree and disagree with other posters. My iron was and is very low also. I went on Floradix three times a day with a Vit C tablet for a month and my iron rose by 1 point! (Obviously nowhere near enough) I still take the Floradix and it doesn't cause constipation but I also have to take iron tablets as well. I tried a number and they caused bad constipation and I tried to manage it until I found iron piccolinate tablets which causes v little constipation. Const. is a nuisance but low iron levels are not good for your health and wellbeing and you will only suffer if you don't increase your levels. I get health palpitations from low iron and you prob already know about the tiredness. Make sure you keep your levels monitored. Talk to your chemist and GP about what you can take for constipation in preg and b/feeding as this can be managed whereas iron levels are much harder to deal with.