Iron tablets

[Rocky]

I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2021, and have been on iron tablets ever since, and my Gastroenterologist wrote to my GP and said I had iron deficiency anaemia and will be on iron tablets for life. He also asked for me to have blood tests done every 6 months, which includes full iron profile. My last ferritin result was 285, but the other iron profile ones were within range. My GP said I needed to stop my iron tablets, which I did. After 3 months of being off them, I had that awful breathlessness and I could feel my heart pounding. I had to go back on my iron tablets again and just had my blood test for full iron profile and the ferritin level is 285 again. I just want to be on a maintenance dose and wondered how everyone else manages. Will I have to take iron tablets for so long and have a break?

[Regalbirdy]

Hi Rocky,

This answer is not quite perhaps what you were originally looking for; however, I think it might be worth considering that you’ve got something else going on.

For example, following my coeliac diagnosis, I had issues with magnesium deficiency –and this can cause heart palpitations. It took me many months to get my levels back up again. The heart palpitations did finally go away though!

P .S. I would also suggest that you consider getting your vitamin D levels and B12 (re)checked as well.

Good luck, I hope you can figure things out.

[Rocky in reply to Regalbirdy]

Thanks for your reply and I have Pernicious anaemia and have B12 injections every 4 weeks, and have a good B12 level. I also take vitamin D and have good Vitamin D levels too. Vitamin D is part of my 6 monthly blood tests for celiac as well as folate too. I also use a magnesium spray every night too, and take a B complex.

[Researchfan]

Hi. Are they prescription strength iron tablets? You would need to further discuss with your GP, or maybe even pose the question to your gastroenterologist via their secretary?

Seems necessary logical to take a break with the high ferritin but rather than waiting to be iron deficient again start a maintenance otc supplement to prevent anaemia when the ferritin is normal? You would need to test after a month and see where the numbers at.

Look at positively your guts good at absorbing iron and must have good coeliac control. However if you end up deficient after three months you should be investigated for where there’s possible blood loss because there’s a high turnover of using up the ferritin store. In menstruating females it’s more obvious but needs looking at.

[Rocky in reply to Researchfan]

Thanks and yes it is prescription 210 ferrous fumarate tablets. I will speak to my GP and I am 60 now and had a hysterectomy so no issues with blood loss.