After quite a while my husband's af has returned. He has had a rough time lately with bowel cancer followed by liver cancer and is in hospital at the moment with bronchitis. Tests have shown that he, after the removal of most of his liver, is anaemic. On researching this i find that being anaemic can make you very breathless. This is the most debilitating thing about his health, the breathlessness. He cannot take the prescribed iron tablets at the moment because he is due a colonoscopy. Iron coats the bowel in black. I researched treatment for anaemia and found that iron is often given via an infusion. I have asked if he could be infused instead but they do seem reluctant and mentioned that it can cause anaphylaxis. I have told them that I will be surprised if he will take more than one or two of the iron tablets if they cause him even a sniff of constipation! He is paranoid about his daily bowel movement. Does anyone have any advice on managing the anaemia in any other way? I know that red meat is recommended. Is Guinness still recommended? I don't think he likes it but it might help with the constipation?
Return of AF: After quite a while my... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Return of AF
Guinness and Mackesons were always suggested but actually contain only smallish amounts of iron, unless he enjoys them anyway. I had an iron infusion when pregnant but I guess as it's 50 years ago the same proviso may apply. Some iron by mouth is less constipating than others, Feospan if you can still get it was always better as slow release and less tummy issues with Ferrous gluconate. Attached shot of a more modern alternative
He really needs prescribed iron medication to sort this as over the counter supplements just will not touch this level of iron deficiency. Meat and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli are high in iron but cooking meat can remove 80% of the iron contained and the same if you over cook the veg. You must encourage him. Yes he may well get constipated but you must ask the Doctors to explain to him that this is a necessity for his continued health it may be that there are some prescribed medications which do not have that side effect so much. Yes Guinness and other stouts were also said to be good for this they really are not that was just mainly advertising. They may contain some iron but not enough to cure anemia.
Thanks. The GP has prescribed some tablets to be taken three times daily. He can not, at the moment, take them because they coat the bowel lining and he is booked in for a colonoscopy. We are doing our best to eat red meat and green veg though.
I hsve daily Ferrous Fumarate 210mg and it definitely does not promote constipation for me. Just Google foods high in iron ...you might be surprised at what could help
He is on iron tablets from the GP to be taken three times a day when the colonoscopy has been completed. I am just worried that if he has just one day of being constipated he will stop taking them.
Thank you for all the replies folks 
I have always wondered how we are supposed to absorb the iron in these tablets if they are coated to not be absorbed in the bowel?
Hello, I've only just read your post. My input may be helpful but please feel free to disregard it if it's of no value to your husband.
After having hip surgery a couple of years ago my GP surgery determined that my iron levels were too low and prescribed iron tablets. However, before they were issued my husband bought me a bottle of Floradix liquid, having used it effectively on a previous occasion, so I didn't take the iron tablets. A subsequent blood test showed my iron levels were back to what they should be, plus I felt a lot better as well. Floradix is a herbal remedy, very gentle on the body (an online search will list all the ingredients). My husband bought it from our local chemist but I believe it can be sourced from other outlets.
I wish you and your husband all the very best.
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