Low iron. How long does it take to feel better?

[Turquoisetamborine]

I was diagnosed with low iron levels from my 28 week bloods. They didn't tell me the actual level. I've been taking prescribed iron tablets as well as my normal prenatal tablets since last Tuesday.
I've just popped to the shops and felt faint so had to come home. My head feels light and heart is palpitating (was told this is a side effect of low iron). I was off work for three weeks due to heavy bleeding and only went back yesterday, today is my usual day off and I'd normally have done all my housework by this time but I'm sitting unable to get up!
When did you start to feel better?

[jennifer86]

How long have you been on the iron tablets for? I had my bloods checked at 32 weeks due to palpitations and was found to be anaemic (had been borderline at 28 weeks) and started on iron tabs. Noticeably felt better after less than a week of being on the tabs, although still get them occasionally. Bloods were repeated at 36 weeks and it had come back up to borderline level so I'm carrying on with them at least for the next few weeks :) Hope you start to feel better soon.

[Turquoisetamborine]

I've just been on the iron tablets a week so hopefully I'll start to feel better soon. It's so frustrating as I feel lazy and I need to be productive! Having a high iron lunch and tea so this might give me a boost.
The gas man just came and told me I look ill so I must be bad.

[Zahrah5]

Well not all of those tablets have same levels of absorbency into your body.
So I think it depends on the kind of tablets you are taking.

If supplements are of low quality they will not boost the levels much.

Also take with orange juice and avoid eating dairy or any calcium rich foods at the same time.

[WorkingBling]

I started to feel better within a few days, but my levels were only borderline anaemic to start with. I imagine that if you've had heavy bleeding you are quite low already. Also, I think blood pressure and low iron can be correlated - do you know what your blood pressure is currently?

Definitely try taking with orange juice to help absorption and avoid caffeine and dairy, especially at time of taking the pills.

[Focusfocus]

Iron tablets, while containing lots of iron are often not well,absorbed by the body. You might consider asking your midwife about spatone which is a liquid iron supplement, comes in sachets and very well suited for pregnancy you can take two a day both orange juice to absorb it and mask the metallic taste. Much lower iron content than tablets but fully absorbable and no side effects so you tend to benefit more. Ask your healthcare provider of course but that's what I've been taking.

[PenguinTuxedo]

Watching with interest as I started my first dose yesterday....hope it works quickly for you OP!

[Turquoisetamborine]

Thanks Focus, I'll mention that to the consultant tomorrow, sounds like it would suit me better.
Working, I had my blood pressure taken on Thursday and it was fine as it has been all the way through so hopefully it's not that.
What I've been prescribed is Ferrous Fumerate 332mg and I'm glad you all asked what I was taking as I've just realised I was supposed to be taking two a day not one!

[WorkingBling]

Well, if you're only taking half the dose... not surprising you're not feeling better . watch the miracle effects now!

I asked about spatone. My consultant allowed me to try for a week but it didn't have enough of an effect once I was already too low. I was annoyed as last pregnancy I took spatone throughout and the result was no anaemia. I also always recommend it to other pregnant people. I don't know why I didn't do it this time. Fool me.