My hubby had an op for a open lower lobe lobectomy for lung cancer niw has anemia op was 14th may .

[Canabeans]

Anemia how long before iron tablets start working already been on them 8 days

[Bkin]

Not sure if 8 days will be long enough if you are deficient and anemic

Absorption is the key. From days of giving blood when iron tablets were given (Australia) the indication for me was when the poo goes very dark or black. I would take the course that the doctor has prescribed you though. No doubt the doctor will want to recheck your bloods afterward.

I think you need to be sure to drink plenty of water and absorption better with citrus fruits or foods rich in vitamin C.

I recall one time I was eating home grown spinach quite regularly and I would have carrots with the meal with some melted butter on the carrots. I found this boosted iron absorption too.

Foods rich in iron : nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-...

Foods rich in Vitamin C: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-...

..

Your doctor may have explained about diet,

Try taking the tablets with or soon after food to reduce the chance of side effects.

NHS link: nhs.uk/conditions/iron-defi...

Hope your husband is recovering ok.

Best wishes BK

[Desanthony]

Takes weeks for these to make a difference. I am sure my wife was told to take them with orange juice or something high in Vit C to aid absorption or to drink orange juice soon after. Ask advice from your pharmacist. Its also helpful to eat foods rich in iron as iron is generally lost in the cooking of meat and don't over cook the green vegetables which are high in iron - Kale, spinach,chard, broccoli, string beans, cabbage.

Depending on how low his iron count was - and remember some people whose iron count is generally lower can function at the lower side of normal count but people whose iron count has usually been on the higher side might only need a small fall in iron to feel fatigued and poorly, he should start to see some improvement towards the middle and end of the course he has been presribed. My wife was so low in iron that she had a 12 week course and then some more. Hopefully at the end of the course your husband's levels will be checked again and then reassessed.