After recent blood test results, Dr P says that... - Thyroid UK
After recent blood test results, Dr P says that I need to take iron. Please could someone tell me which is the best form--liquid or pills??
I believe spatone water is gentle on the stomach - you can buy it in most chemists. When I was severely anaemic I used to liken taking iron tablets to swallowing a brillo pad! You can "food state" iron tablets in health stores. I personally found the only over-the-counter one I could take was Ferrograd. This only costs a few pounds from chemists and is slow release.
When I was seeing Dr. P, he recommended Spatone.
I also recommend spatone, take it with orange juice (vit c) so it increases the absorption.
I took spatone on Dr P's recommendation due to lowish ferritin, I think 2 sachets a day. Unfortunately my ferritin dropped out of range whilst taking the spatone 
I have found ferrous fumerate much better, but not as gently on the stomach. I think Pregaday is a brand name for ferrous fumerate and is available over the counter.
I also started my own after low levels. I take ferrous sulphate - Ferrograd® tablets
Available without prescriptions but at Pharmacy stores only.
Just read up on when to take it and any interactions with your current meds including for thyroid issues! With vitC it does help absorption.
They are coated so won't taste bad and modified release so easy on the stomach.
Liquids tasted bad for me plus they were messy. It's probably not a slower release.
My private doctor recommended Spatone, but it made no difference to me at all and was very expensive for something ineffective.
Spatone didn't work for me so have gone back to Floradix. My iron levels aren't as high as they should so possibly need to take it twice a day.
I would echo Clare's point above that my iron fell very low whilst taking spatone. It seemed like a nice enough product to take but simply wasn't effective at managing anaemia. I take ferrous sulfate, I know it doesn't agree with some people but I haven't personally had a problem with it.
I have only just started on 'Globifer Forte';(which seem fine for tummy).I thought they might be good cos contain natural haem iron(bovine haemoglobin powder)+ also non-haem iron(ferrous sulphate).it says that the haem iron isabsorbed much better than non-haem..
Hi, like many of the guys who have commented on this question, I take Spatone as I didn't like taking the Ferrous Fumerate 210mg I was prescribed by my GP - they tasted disgusting. I found some Spatone on offer and the only trouble I've had is when I increase my dose from 1 sachet to 3.
My recommendation if you decide to go with Spatone is to gradually increase it - babystep at a time - each day. And make sure you take it with Vitamin C - so empty the whole sachet into some orange juice. Oh yes, and 4 hours away from thyroid meds!! Some Spatone already comes with Vitamin C, mine do and they have an apple extract added which helps take the metallic-iron taste off. With me I still get an aftertaste of the iron in it so I just neck it now. It's better for me to take it than not have it at all! 
Good luck and I hope this helps! 
Jo xxx
