Iron Supplements

[Heaven]

Just been told my Iron is a little on the low side. The midwife said it's 109 and should be around 120. So she said get an iron supplement from the chemist and take twice a day with orange juice or something.

So.....which one do I get?

And I don't want to get constipated, should I take something to prevent that too? What is ok to take in pregnancy?

[Visitor7]

I wish mine was 109, mine is 6!!

You can get either Ferrograd or Ferrograd C. Ferrograd has folate in it, which is good during pregnancy, Ferrorgrad C has vitamin c in it. If you're planning on increasing your vitamin c intake, then you won't need ferrograd c.

It can cause constipation, so just beaware of that. I'm not sure what you can take during pg for constipation though.

[OceanPrincess]

Hey SJ,

My iron has been low too so the GP put me on FeFol, which I have been taking instead of Elevit.

I take it with a big glass of OJ and have had no issues with constipation. The OJ just helps it absorb a little better.

How come she didn't tell you which one to take? Can you call for clarification?

FeFol doesn't come in boxes greater than 30 tabs because you aren't supposed to take iron supplements when pg unless your medical carer advises it.

[catherinemoses]

I think any are ok, take it with orange juice or vitamin c and keep your fluid (water) up.
If you are very worried about constipation get into the prunes or pears!
A pharmacist should be able to help anyway

[Devon]

My midwife recommended that I take Spatone - it's an iron-rich water from Wales. It comes in little sachets, and I take one sachet a day with a small glass of orange juice. I don't know if it's better than tablet forms, but I haven't had any problems taking it.

Thanks for your post - it reminded me that I'm out and need to buy some more!

[Heaven]

Thanks guys!

Jodi, omg!! 6!!

OP- well she just kinda said any one was fine, she said something about Fab Iron or something or that I could get one with vitamin C if I wanted.

Can you have too much vitamin C tho? I'm on the normal blackmores pregnancy vitamins anyway, I assume they have some vit C in them already.

[puppies]

The iron tablets I am on are in a green and white bottle and they are little red ones. i take one each morning with my other tablets (vitamins and calcium). I was expecting constipation but I go more regularly now than I did before taking, but doubt that has anything to do with the tablets. Probably the pressure I am getting now doing that.
You can get a stool softner from chemist that is safe during pregnancy rather than a laxative that can be too aggressive and cause cramping.

[Heaven]

Thanks puppies?
Can you take metamucil or something daily?? That's just fibre isn't it?

[Arcadia]

I was also prescribed Ferrograd C, but I found it a bit hard on my tummy. So now I take the iron biocomplex by "nutri-medicine", which is available at a naturopath or health food store. It includes vitamin c (to aid absorbtion) and folate. I haven't had any problem with constipation with them at all (even while taking three times a day).

The other one I've heard people recommend is Flurodix (Sp?) which is a powder you dissolve in water and is available at the chemist - apparently its also easier on the tummy.

Remember to take your iron tablets away from tea and coffee though, because these inhibit your absorbtion.

HTH

[puppies]

Sure you can take metamucil etc but for me thats even too drastic. I am a IBS sufferer although its all but gone since being pregnant (thank God!). I avoid anything that make me move too quickly in that area. The stool softner worked well earlier on when I had constipation for about 3 weeks but I have been good ever since (thank God again!). I just drink lots of fluids cause that will generally soften things up.