Chealated iron causing upset stomach

[nettiboo1982]

Hi as above ive just started taking chelated iron and oh my days its making me feel awful its causing diarrhoea and my tummy starts gurling and i want too be sick. Will this settle down i really need too bring my low ferritin up but i have digestive issues with iron spatone i can take but it wasnt working help ?

[Hidden]

Spatone doesn't contain much iron, so if you were taking the regular dose it wouldn't have helped raise your ferritin much.

Stomach problems are very common in taking iron - that's why I suggested splitting the dose in two. Is it iron sulphate? It should say on the bottle exactly what kind of iron it is. You might find something like iron bisgycinate better, or ferrous fumerate. Start with a low dose, take it over the day, and gradually raise it as you watch your reactions.

Whacking in a massive dose clearly isn't for you.

Diarrhea is a less common reaction than constipation though...

Just looking across to the US official website on this for some guidance for you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

"Adults with normal intestinal function have very little risk of iron overload from dietary sources of iron [2]. However, acute intakes of more than 20 mg/kg iron from supplements or medicines can lead to gastric upset, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and faintness, especially if food is not taken at the same time [2,5]. Taking supplements containing 25 mg elemental iron or more can also reduce zinc absorption and plasma zinc concentrations [3,78,79]."

This is from the NIH fact sheet. It doesn't mean that taking iron is dangerous for you, since you are low in iron, just that reactions to it are common.

Do you have a known gastric problem?

[nettiboo1982 in reply to Hidden]

Aspmama ive only been taking one capsule its ferrous bisglycinate 27mg my doc wants me too take two a day ive not double dosed at all. I brought this type of iron as was suggested too me its better for people who get digestive issues but its causing some horrid effects. Thank you

[galathea in reply to Hidden]

You might do ok on two spa tone savhets? Its reckoned we absorb more iron from spa tone so it doesnt count that there is less per sachet.

here is a chart which explains the logic. nelsonsnaturalworld.com/en-...

Xx g

[nettiboo1982]

Yes but ive had a colonoscopy earlier this year nothing found. I sometimes get pain in the upper right quadrant of abdomen which i had ultrasound for again nothing found im told its ibs. I was tested for coliacs but negative also but that was 2.5 years ago and im meant too be being tested again. So its difficult doc has me down as hypochondriac as nothing has been found .

[Hidden]

Gosh Nettiboo, what a tough position to be in. Halve the pill and try that?

It sounds as though there's an undiagnosed gut issue, doesn't it.

I would think the reaction of diarrhea to iron might be a big clue, and might be recognised by someone on the forum.

Have you tried a gluten exclusion diet to rule out gluten sensitivity? Have you had the tests (serum gastrin, antibodies to intrinsic factor etc) for Autoimmune Gastritis, which can progress to Pernicious Anaemia? It sounds as though there is some major gut related reason why you are not absorbing iron, doesn't it.

[nettiboo1982 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thnks for reply I was recently tested for pa and that was negative. I'm going too try gluten free from January.

[Clutter]

Nettiboo, high dose vitamin C can cause diarrhoea so you may want to stop the vitC for a few days and see whether you tolerate the Blue Bonnet better. If the symptoms don't settle down you might want to return to Spatone x 3 daily and cook with the Cambodian Iron Fish healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Consider trying either haem or ferritin iron supplements. They are often claimed to have little or no impact on the gut.

[nettiboo1982]

Hi all thanks for replies I took my iron with sugar free pure orange juice stuff yesterday and was feel awful today I didn't and the digestive issues were less maybe the sugar free laxative effect in force. Now I just feel very awful in myself