Iron supplements

[fish0ut0fwater]

Hi everyone,

I don't have pernicious anaemia, I'm iron deficient but I thought this would be a good place to ask. My GP prescribed Ferrous Fumerate 210mg tablets to take 3x a day for 3 months to bring my levels back up to normal, and suggested starting by taking 1x day for a week, working my way up to 3x a day, but a couple of days in I got some abdominal pain and I've started feeling foggy and exhausted, and I didn't feel anywhere near this tired before and now I can't keep up with my family if we do any activity like cycling. Has anyone else taking this supplement experienced this? Because as far as I've found fatigue isn't a reported side effect...

I've tried taking a break for a few days and then I started feeling better and had a lot more energy, but then I took a supplement and the next day I felt tired again and just generally under the weather. I've been making sure not to drink any tea/coffee within an hour of taking them, and I've been taking them with orange juice. Does anyone have any other advice? Thanks!

[Xena2202]

From a little reading I just did feeling unwell is a side effect says the NHS. Iron is also a stomach and digestive system irritant, which is why it can cause discomfort or nausea. This is all probably why your dr said to work up to taking it daily, but if I was you I would let them know you’re not tolerating it very well. There are different forms of iron you can take and they may have you try a different one. Good luck!

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to Xena2202]

Yeah that's a good idea, thank you!

[wedgewood]

I remember reading a post about iron ,and the member mentioned that a supplement called Gentle Iron didn’t cause the problems that some iron supplements caused . I have no experience of it myself , but thought that I should mention it . I think it was called Spatone . Best wishes .

[bookish in reply to wedgewood]

The Gentle Iron is by Solgar - iron bisglycinate - and supposed to be easier to tolerate. I use the Spatone (original) sachets and find them very good. Cheers

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to bookish]

I'll ask my GP about that, thank you both!

[Loza73]

I take active iron, it's been the best and most effective one I have tried and believe me.....I have tried a lot of them!

activeiron.com/product/acti...

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to Loza73]

Ok, thank you!

[Nackapan]

I take ferrous fumerate 210mg every other day and solgar gentle and or spartane on the other day.

I'm weary all the time. Ni idea if ferrous fumerate made it worse . I dont think so.

The iron helped me

For it to work you need need more rest not more activity as it becomes counter productive. Usually get a blood test 3 mo ths after.

I wad told to take 2 a day but couldnt tolerate that.

Also was prescribed 320 with folate only took that once . Felt ill on that

Tried ferrous sulphate at the start but gave constipation. Afterwards realised not as well absorbed as not chelated.

Liquid forms work for some.

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to Nackapan]

Hmm ok, thank you for the reply!

[bookish]

As Wedgewood says, Gentle Iron seems to suit some better (Solgar) or try the Spatone sachets in a little orange juice. I took 2 sachets daily for quite a while, now take 1 or 2 when I feel the need. Best wishes

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to bookish]

Thanks!

[Litatamon]

There is a Costa Rican staple called Carao juice. For some, it is hard to take - and smell.

But it works. With zero side effects. I know of someone whose iron was crazy low, at points in her life she had pica, but this raised her iron - and energy - when a lifetime of supplements did not.

Best of luck.

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to Litatamon]

Hmm I'll definitely have a look into that, thank you!

[Hidden]

I use Spatone and it is superb and has raised ferritin from 8 to 177 in about 5 months. No side effects.

[fish0ut0fwater in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I've heard thats quite good, thanks!