Can't take iron tablets

[Hollings]

Hi, I'm anemic but every iron tablet I've tried to take gives me stomach cramps and diarrhea any suggestions?

[Catty1234]

hi hollings ask your gp to prescribe you liquid sodium feredetate aka Sytron , it’s a liquid which they usually prescribe for children , so much gentler on the digestive system . Hope you feel better soon x

[MyStar86]

I had to have iron infusions where they give you the iron via IV and that didn’t have side effects. You would need a gastro to prescribe this though

[Bishbashbosh23]

I have exactly the same problem., but I am fine with Spatone iron sachets, they are fantastic

[edwangy]

Iron usually consipates

[JulieB5200]

Hi,so I cannot stomach iron tablets either.They cause me very bad bowel pains and constipation.My levels became as low as 3 some years ago so I was sent to the hospital for an iv infusion.Since that time I tend to have yearly infusions which do the job without any side effects.However they will only send you after trying you out on numerous forms of aural iron.Hope you find something that works but just as a side not I’m convinced my anaemia is caused by having ibs.

[drax83 in reply to JulieB5200]

My anemia maybe due to benign small mass on one of my kidneys, but blood guy said it could also be my arthritis or sometimes my diverticular plays up occasionally. No 100% diagnosis. Some years it doesn't effect me at all. Wierd!!

[drax83]

I had this problem a few years ago, my consultant was aware I had tummy issues, he arranged for me to have what I needed in two visits by intravenous Iron drip type feed. Hospitals have a special unit for this simple procedure, you sit in a type of dentists comy chair. It does take some time to complete the whole procedure, but it does bypass your intestines, and the dose you get is one session, you have to back in two weeks to complete the course. It's much better and more effective than oral tablets that take a long time to deliver, with associated dark stools and upset stomach.

[Meleber]

I have chronic mild anemia, can't take tablets either because they worsen my functional bowel problems. The mild anemia might be caused by longstanding low grade inflammation as a result of my functional bowel problems (anemia of chronic disease / anemia of chronic low grade inflammation). I now am trying to add taurine (tablet) because this could help a little I've read. I started with 500mg twice daily for a week, then one week 750mg twice daily and currently am taking 1000mg twice daily. Will get my blood examined again in a fortnight. But if it helps I should feel it too (soon), hopefully a bit less fatigued.

Link to article (pdf-file) "anemia of chronic disease" published in the new England Journal of Medicine jvsmedicscorner.com/Medicin...