Ferrous sulphate tablets 200mg - any advice much appreciated

[NaomiMay]

Hi,

I had my iron levels checked which came back as ferritin: 8 ug/L and given a prescription for ferrous sulphate 200mg.

The box is saying to take 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach, or avoiding certain foods (milk, grains, tea, coffee)

I'm pregnant and having extreme nausea and sickness, nibbling on crackers every hour is helping the nausea subside, but taking these tablets along with my morning levo on an empty stomach is proving impossible. I've also read conflicting advice online that they should be taken on a full stomach?

I've also read a lot of negative comments about the tablets, about them not working, or side effects etc which is getting me down and not giving me much motivation to get them down my neck.

I'm feeling exhausted and looking for any advice if anyone has successfully taken these and felt better!? Has any food suggestions/times to take tablets that could help me? I have a healthy diet rich in iron foods, confused why I'm iron deficient. Is there other vitamins I should be taking or other tests?

I'm currently take vitamin D and B vitamins inc folate. My last TSH result was 1.89mU/L.

My Drs are beyond useless, hence coming here. Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

NaomiMay

but taking these tablets along with my morning levo on an empty stomach is proving impossible.

You're not taking your iron tablets at the same time as your Levo are you? You should leave 4 hours between them as iron affects absorption of Levo.

I've also read conflicting advice online that they should be taken on a full stomach?

Iron is said to be absorbed better on an empty stomach, but if that causes stomach problems it can be taken with food to help overcome this, it just may not be quite as well absorbed. So you can do either, whichever is right for you.

I've also read a lot of negative comments about the tablets, about them not working, or side effects etc which is getting me down and not giving me much motivation to get them down my neck.

Some people get side effects, some don't, so don't make the mistake of thinking you will, you'll only know if you use them. If they don't suit you ask your doctor for an alternative, he has options.

I'm feeling exhausted and looking for any advice if anyone has successfully taken these and felt better!?

If you are taking iron and Levo together then as I mentioned this will affect absorption of your Levo, so maybe your thyroid hormone levels have dropped. Get your levels checked, and start taking iron 4 hours away from Levo. But of course your pregnancy will be having an effect as well.

My last TSH result was 1.89mU/L.

Testing just TSH isn't helpful, you need FT4 and FT3 as well for a full picture as these are the thyroid hormones, TSH is a pituitary hormone. If the thyroid hormones are low then you'll have hypo symptoms including fatigue.

Is there other vitamins I should be taking or other tests?

Nobody can suggest any other vitamins unless you test key nutrients:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Presumably your GP is monitoring your iron levels as he's prescribed iron, he should be testing regularly.

[NaomiMay in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie,

Thanks so much for your reply. I am taking my first iron tablet 2 hours after the levo. This is where I am struggling, spreading out 4 different tablets to take on an empty stomach. I read 2-4 hours for iron and levo and had to settle on 2 as struggling. I will try my hardest to do 4. Im thinking of setting an alarm for the middle of the night to take levo? 🙈

I asked GP to test B12 as well, and seems they haven't unfortunately, but randomly did my TSH which I didn't ask for, but always good to know. I agree without T4 and T3 useless. Classic lack of listening from my docs.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[humanbean in reply to NaomiMay]

This is where I am struggling, spreading out 4 different tablets to take on an empty stomach. I read 2-4 hours for iron and levo and had to settle on 2 as struggling. I will try my hardest to do 4. Im thinking of setting an alarm for the middle of the night to take levo?

Fitting in three iron tablets plus Levo is not easy. The only ways I know of doing it are one of the following :

1) Take Levo immediately upon waking. Then take first iron pill late morning, the second one late afternoon, and the third just before bed.

2) Take first iron pill immediately upon waking, second one late morning, third one late afternoon. Take Levo just before bed.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to NaomiMay]

Hi

I don't know how early in your pregnancy you are but you could try taking it at night if you get up to pee. I remember peeing an awful lot both in early and late pregnancy lol. Like a hosepipe. Another alternative is to take your Levo at bedtime. As long as your stomach is empty. Vitamin C helps iron absorption so you could take that at the same time as your iron.

I've had iron deficiency most of my adult life, now post menopause so no longer an issue. I must admit I found iron sulphate rather harsh on the stomach and got on much better with iron fumarate or gluconate, which seem gentler on the system.

My advice would be take the tablets as your clearly need them. But if you do develop side effects which don't settle or are awful, ask your GP to prescribe one of the alternatives I've suggested.

[humanbean]

If you want info on all the types of iron supplements there are available in the UK this reply I wrote to another member should help - ignore the stuff about pregnancy :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[mstp]

Might it help if you took your lemon at bedtime? Lots of people find taking it then is beneficial anyway and the daylight hours would be freed up for other meds.

[Clara4741]

Ferrous Bisgylcinate Chelated Iron is a much gentler type on the stomach or for people who are sensitive to it. There are various brands you can buy as the Iron is a patented version (Albion). Moss Nutrition Ferrochel Select is the one I have used and you can get it from Amrita Nutrition online or other places. It contains 27mg per capsule and you'll need to do more to get your levels up to begin with initially. You could also ask your Doctor to prescribe you it but I'm not sure it is one they offer. Generally they offer the ones that can upset the tummy. Hence I went this route for myself and my husband.

[fiftyone]

I started taking ferrous sulphate about 3 months ago. I take two tablets a day after my evening meal, with my metformin tablets. I have had no adverse side affects at all. My ferratin has increased but not greatly so I will continue with them until I am at a more satisfactory measure.