Started being bloated after main meal

[AnneEvo]

I've recently noticed I'm bloated after my main meal. It's only been the last few weeks. The only differences are: taking iron - ferrous gluconate - supplement (though it hasn't made me constipated in the least); vitamin D plus K2 supplement and magnesium malate. I know some magnesium can cause issues with loose stools but not malate as far as I can see. I do have loose stools but have had for maybe 12 months though they seem a little looser since starting on levo in January but I wasn't feeling bloated when I started levo.

I was just going to ask if it could it be the iron supplement and though it may not be causing the bloating, I've just read the PIL and they can cause diarrhoea so I'm going to stop taking them and see if it makes a difference. Could it be the cause of the bloating as well?

TIA for any other enlightening info.

[HLAB35]

Issues with iron supplements are common possibly due to the fact that some gut microbes love the stuff. Spatone and iron in electrolyte mixes don't do this, but if your levels are very low make sure to take tablets well away from food, but do have soluble vitamin c with the iron. Hopefully your iron levels will improve and you can switch to a more gentle form. Make sure to have Riboflavin and B6 in your diet if you have low iron - they help with its uptake.

[AnneEvo in reply to HLAB35]

It's difficult to know if my iron is low. In January my ferritin was 92ug/L (12-233) I don't know if that level is ok. But when I saw a nurse practitioner as I was tired she put me on 300mg Ferrous Gluconate, saying my haemoglobin was a bit low but had gone up since a previous test. (I've since had vitamin D tested privately and am deficient, so it could be that that was causing the tiredness). I thought I'd stop the iron for a few days to see if that made a difference. If it did I was going to see a doctor to ask if there was a different form I may be able to try. I'll try the riboflavin and B6 - I was previously taking methylated B compound but my B12 was rather high. It's all a balancing act isn't it?

[HLAB35 in reply to AnneEvo]

I'd be ok with 92ug - maybe needs a tiny bit of tweaking, but it's not what I'd call low. If you're taking vitamin d be sure to add in some Magnesium as it'll help to absorb it. Note that b6 (ideally as p5p) helps with red blood cell production.

[AnneEvo in reply to HLAB35]

Thank you.

I am taking magnesium malate, also vitamin K2.