Iron supplement without constipation

[HKAnne]

Hi,Can anyone recommend an iron supplement that does not cause constipation?

Thank you.

[seveneleven]

Heme iron is generally well tolerated. Three Arrows is the one usually recommended here, and I've found no gastro trouble with it.

[HKAnne in reply to seveneleven]

Thanks seven eleven, much appreciated.

[helvella Administrator]

helvella - Iron Document

This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[HKAnne in reply to helvella]

Many thanks helvella, I will read through the summary tomorrow. This is much appreciated.

[bagsypartime in reply to helvella]

I have the iron problem too.On an iron prescription that is not working.Do you think making my stomach acid stronger could help?

[helvella Administrator in reply to bagsypartime]

What are you taking?

The standard approach of taking vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with things like ferrous sulphate does seem to help. But I have my doubts if you are taking a bisglycinate or similar formulation.

[bagsypartime in reply to helvella]

Ferrous fumarate alternate days 18wks blood test shows anaemia.What can i take that might work? Sorry to interrupt thread but it is a similar question.

[helvella Administrator in reply to bagsypartime]

Not sure if acidity affects ferrous fumarate.

Maybe look at my blog link and consider a haem source?

[Sheffibeth]

yes ive been much better with ferrous fumerate but still get constipated during my period a bit if i eat too much rice. Stick to that and smaller amounts of carbs and that should help i think. Hope you feel better.

[McPammy]

I take ferris fumerate 210mcg. It doesn’t cause me to have constipation at all. If anything it’s the opposite. I take one tablet every other day with my evening meal. My bloods for ferritin are now much better and stable.

[Calliope62]

Hi there,

I can recommend Floradix or Spatone. I have Graves, Fibromyalgia and IBS and both of these are well tolerated.

[HKAnne in reply to Calliope62]

Thank you I will give Spatone a go.

[HKAnne in reply to Calliope62]

Thank you, Spatone seems to be the way to go. Will give it a go.

[Insomania]

I could not tolerate any iron tablets, due to unexplained gastro issues.

I was recommended iron infusions in this forum.

The GP referred me to haemotology. There was a long wait so I had my first infusion privately because I felt so desperate and unwell. It was incredible. I walked out of the hospital and I could hear the birds singing in the trees, my mood was improved, the world more technicolour.

I’m under nhs haematology long term, I get quarterly iron panel and iron infusions when ferritin gets low.

To maintain, I can tolerate spatone so I take 2 sachets/10mg per day with 1000mg VitC to maintain and it’s working!

I’m also prescribed by GP tranexamic acid for heavy periods.

Hope this helps!

[HKAnne in reply to Insomania]

Thank you. I am glad you are getting the iron fusions. Thanks for the Spatone tip.

[Insomania in reply to HKAnne]

For me, when my iron has been low, spatone is not enough mg to increase it. I use it to ‘maintain’ following an iron infusion.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I can say from experience Three Arrows recommended by TiggerMe has helped my Ferritin more than anything else I tried. Worked in 2 months. Am now saving £££ taking it alternate days.

[Hungryrobin]

There is a liquid iron supplement I have taken. which worked really well It was recommended to my cousin in London by a midwife. It' s 'Floradix,' which is available from some large branches of Boots and also from Holland and Barrett. It contains iron derived from plants, not mineral iron which is usual in anything that a doctor prescribes. It contains Vitamin C as well, as that's needed to absorb iron and being plant-based, gentler on the digestive system, which is why the midwife originally suggested it.

[HKAnne in reply to Hungryrobin]

Thanks Hungryrobin, that's really helpful, I will have a look in Holland and Barrett.

[Insomania in reply to HKAnne]

Floradix is delicious (7.5mg iron per 10ml), as is Feroglobin (14mg per 10ml)) but as with Spatone (5mg per sachet), it isn’t enough to ‘boost’ very low iron.

[HKAnne in reply to Insomania]

Thank you Insomania, that is so helpful.

[asidist]

You may want to look into Iron Protein Succinylate. It is one of the better tolerated forms. I like it much better than the others.

By the way, Vitamin A is needed for the body to properly utilize iron, and I always feel better if I ensure I'm getting enough in my diet when supplementing with iron pills of any kind. (Edit: Also take Vit C alongside iron for best absorption.)

Best of luck.

[HKAnne in reply to asidist]

Thank you assist - that's really helpful.

[HKAnne in reply to asidist]

Apologies asidist, just saw my typo on your username.

[Zazbag]

Avoid ferrous sulphate. I get on perfectly fine with ferrous fumarate.

[HKAnne in reply to Zazbag]

Can't use either of those I'm afraid but many thanks for the reply.

[HKAnne]

Can't use either of those I'm afraid but thanks for the reply.

[Goldenbeads]

the iron spray helped me by Better You . I can’t tolerate any iron tablets etc. Spatone not too bad . Had iron infusions in the past.