Hi all - after a year of ttc #2 I have just had the day 1-3 and day 21 blood tests. I got the results this morning and all my hormone levels etc are fine - I am ovulating etc...

Only problem is my iron level is VERY low. It should be between 20-200, mine is 7. The GP says this could definitely be the problem. He has prescribed iron tablets 3 times a day for 3 months and then I'm to repeat the bloods then. He's also given me Mefasomething acid to make my periods lighter as he thinks the low iron could be due to that. I've just read the leaflet in that packet and it says that taking it can stop you getting pregnant!!! I specifically asked the GP that and he said taking it was fine if you are ttc.

CONFUSED!

Anyone else had very low iron - did iron tablets help you conceive?

xx

i am always anaemic with low iron. tablets give you constipation...i hate them

try increasing your iron intake, reduce your caffeine (it stops you absorbing iron) and increase your vit c. if you do take the iron tablets take them with orange juice

Nappyhead

Think your GP is trying to treat the symptoms but is seemingly not actively looking for the actual cause.

Mefanemic acid may or may not help, at best it is only a short term solution.

The following is particularly important.
Have you ever been evaluated by a gynae to check for either fibroids or endometriosis as either of these can cause heavy bleeding which can cause anaemia. If not, you should be tested further and without undue delay. Also after a year of ttc without success you should be referred to a gynae as a matter of course.

You need to go all out to establish the actual cause of the heavy periods which likely caused the anaemia to arise. Your GP should be referring you to a specialist now.

I had low iron during pregnancy, not the same I know, but FYI, floradix is a better way to take iron than iron tablets.

Mefanemic acid is not something you should consider taking if you're trying to conceive - it even says that on the bottle!
I despair of GPs sometimes. I can't remember the exact reason, I think it's to do with thinning the lining of the womb.

When i was pregnant i had low iron and coul;dn't take any iron tablets as just made me constipated and feeling sick. So on hte recommendation of midwife friend i went and bought some spa tone from boots. it is a sachet of iron enriched water, can take it on its on or in orange juice. This helped me and has no side effects, you can get it on prescription also.
This may help your iron levels naturally, but do suggest you go to see a gynaer aswell just to rule out anything else.

I was given iron after having ds2 - gave me terrible stomach cramps. Midwife on the wards told me about floradix - fantastic stuff - iron/mineral supplement, have a look on google - It in health food shops, Boots didnt have it but our is only a tiny store. I felt really well, its fantastic stuff in fact I could do with some now as am quite run down.

I've got low iron but i cant take the tablets with my thyroxine as i get terrible stomach cramps. Just have to be tired!

ooh Floradix you say? sounds interesting I might try that. I wonder if i can take it with thyroxine Worth a try!

Thank you so much for all your replies - completely brilliant as usual and much more useful than my GP.

I think I will go back to my GP next week and ask for a gynae referral - I have to be referred don't I? I had some investigations when I was about 21 as I became very anaemic then due to heavy periods. They couldn't find anything, but I'm now 35 so that was a while ago!

I won't take the Mefanemic acid - I did think it was odd that my GP said it was fine - and then as soon as I read the packet it said absolutely do not take this if you are ttc.

So is it correct that low iron levels can stop you conceiving? I don't trust anything the GP tells me.

Thank you all again.
x

this is interesting nappyhead

Thank you so much - very interesting. I'm definitely going to get a bit more pushy about this. It took 18 months to conceive DS and I wonder now if this is why....xx

Hi,

Just a thought and hope I am not complicating things but a friend had low iron for years and was thought to be due solely to heavy periods. Eventually she was diagnosed with coeliac disease which can stop iron being absorbed(she did still have heavy periods aswell!). It is an autoimmune disease triggered by a reaction to gluten a protein found mostly in wheat. It is relatively common and one of the many problems associated can be infertility. Am not sure if it is the possible lack of iron due to the condition or the condition itself that can reduce fertility. She was told as she didnt have any bowel problems that she couldnt have it for ages.

Mefanamic acid is a nonsteroidal antinflammatory medication in the same family as Nurofen/ibuprofen. Usually not taken during pregnancy due to its effect on the babies heart. If not recommended in pregnancy then why prescribe it for someone who hopes to get pregnant???!!

This is what the british national formulary (Drug advice book used by most Dr's)says "Most manufacturers advise avoid (or avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk)"

Hope that is of some help although think you may have already had similar responses!