ferrous fumerate

[health2015]

Hi

I have tried to take ferrous fumerate, with plenty of vitamin C (3000mg) and magnesium (200mg). I was about three days in to it and became really constipated/dry, I have now gone back on spatone. Can anyone please recommend or advise me if there is similar product out there which isn't so harsh?

Thanks

Maza

[Clutter]

Health2015, I've seen iron bisglycinate recommended as having good iron content and gentle on the gut.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I have recently started taking supplements and iron is on my list but haven't yet started taking it. I'd read that constipation is a fairly common side effect of ferrous fumerate and as that's something I've suffered with quite badly until recently I decided to look for an alternative. I have got some Solgar Gentle Iron which is iron bisglycinate as Clutter mentions below.

I did contact Solgar to see how much would need to be taken compared to the ferrous fumerate and was informed that it's the elemental iron content that you need to look at. I was told that ferrous fumerate contains approximately 69% elemental iron in each 210g tablet (can be checked by looking at info on box or info sheet) and Solgar's mineral products state the elemental amount on the label. So if you bought the Gentle Iron 25g than you'd get 25g of elemental iron in each capsule.

Solgar also said that their GI is better absorbed than FF so you wouldn't need the exact same amount.

Gentle Iron will work out more expensive. For me I don't want to risk the constipation so I have ordered the GI and I'll see how I get on with that for now.

[Jackie]

Hi Spatone is much milder but not enough iron for a lot of people. Your body should adjust to the iron tablets but make sue you take it with food.

Jackie

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Why a similar product? A different product seems appropriate - though obviously one that still supplies iron. You could look for haem (heme) and/or ferritin products.

A few people have reported that they have done well on them and not suffered constipation.

Available from iHerb and, I think, some UK sources. Have a look at Amazon.