Can Iron tablets trigger AF?

[Frustrated12]

I have now resumed sinus mode after a 36 hour episode. Thank you everybody for advice and encouragement.

The GP has just started me on iron pills (Ferrous Fumarate 210 mg) for iron deficiency. I took the second tablet this morning and (as an overthinker) I realised my episode of AF coincided with taking my first iron table.

As It was my first episode for nearly three years, so I thought I would explore if it was a 'coincidence'.

And an internet sites did state that this was possibility that iron tablets could cause problems with people who have AF. I did ask the doctor if there were any interactions with drugs already being taken but she said there were none.

Naturally I hope it is just a coincidence but has anyone any experience of this possible issue?

[Jalia]

I've been taking the same tablet as you fir years with no connection to my AF episodes.

[Frustrated12]

Big Thank you Julia . I suppose it was a bit of a daft question to ask but checking on the internet is sometimes like saying black is white and then finding someone who says it is.

[Peony4575 in reply to Frustrated12]

Not at all a daft question . My first AF episode was caused by taking Celebrex an anti inflammatory , it happened after the second capsule . Can’t comment on the iron pills and everyone is different , Celebrex is known to trigger AF in a minority of people by interfering with the potassium channels in the heart , but most people can take it without problem . Just the way I am constructed lucky me . So I think it is sensible to be wary and try and find out if there is a known association and if other people have have it . My cardiologist didn’t know about Celebrex till I showed him the clinical papers. Hope you are ok

[secondtry]

Important: we are all different.

I would take half the dose and if no reaction increase slowly.

[Ppiman]

I gather that iron salts are quite tough on the system and can easily cause some level of direct gastric irritation which often this leads to diarrhoea or constipation or both. This could, I imagine, cause bloating or intestinal movement and push up against the diaphragm, which can itself press on the base of the heart to cause ectopic beats and, in those prone to it, AF.

Steve