liquid iron and stomach upset

[lorelei9]

hi all
apologies if this is a "how long is a piece of string" thread.

I am borderline anaemic and the tablets from the doc don't agree with me. For the last 3 weeks I have been taking the Vitabiotics liquid "gentle" iron and felt much better, I was really fatigued before.

However, 2 days in a row I woke up with acid indigestion and last night I had cramps and - sorry TMI - a couple of loose motions so I took some Imodium.

I am wondering if it's the iron as it seems strange to have it about 3 weeks in - it could just be a random stomach thing I guess? I haven't eaten any rich foods or anything that causes me issues lately. (To be honest the only thing that really seems to cause issues with me is porridge or coffee, otherwise I don't really have stomach problems).

Just wondered if anyone else had this experience with the Gentle Iron formula.

Thanks.

[lorelei9]

Bump

[Pleasemrstweedie]

I never found an iron preparation that I could take, even with vitamin C to improve absorption, until someone on MN put me onto Cytoplan Wholefood Iron, which worked for me.

Everything else, including so called ‘gentle’ preparations, gave me cramps and constant explosive diarrhea.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Oh god I'm the opposite with iron, bungs me up like no-ones business.

It's relatively easy to bump up your consumption through what you eat - lots of green leafies and drink a glass of orange juice with your meal as vit C helps absorption. That's the only way I can manage it, I can't get along with iron supplements. I'm not fully anaemic though, I was just a wee bit low after childbirth.

[lorelei9]

Please, thanks for the recommendation. I'll make a note in case issues carry on.

I'm eating loads of greens etc so it's not been enough. I agree that the dosage in this liquid is relatively low.

As it was a three week block before I got an upset stomach, I think I might keep on but if I get any sign of indigestion then I'll give it a break for a few days. Or maybe I should reduce my dose? a colleague takes it and she says that her stomach tolerated it well after a couple of problems. I really do notice it making me feel better, which tbh I haven't really experienced with any supplement before so I would like to keep trying.

[tallulahturtle]

Im on Spatone and never had any trouble.

[RomComPhooey]

Everything else, including so called ‘gentle’ preparations, gave me cramps and constant explosive diarrhea.

I'm the same with ferrous sulphate. My GP prescribed ferrous fumarate for a bit - its more expensive (for the NHS) but apparently better tolerated by some people who don't get on with ferrous sulphate. Not me. I can cope with Spatone but not much else. It took a very long time to get over the post patum haemorrhage I had with DS2.

[RomComPhooey]

partum

[lorelei9]

Tallulah, such timing!

I continued to have problems so I just bought some spa tone today. I stopped the liquid iron on Tuesday and I really noticed my fatigue again, I haven't even worked out which is rare for me.

I'm even concerned about taking spa tone as I'm away on holiday from end of next week and ideally I'd like to be able to take on holiday. I'm always knackered from the flight etc.

So from tomorrow I'm trying one sachet of Spa tone. Really don't want upset tummy on long haul flight either so hope it suits.

If that doesn't suit I will try the whole food one suggested by another poster. I'm annoyed the one I bought didn't work out as I bought quite a lot (on 3 for 2).

[lorelei9]

Romcom, cross post, good to see another one who was okay with Spa tone. I guess I won't take it the day before the flight just n case!

[RomComPhooey]

If I recall, Spatone says 3 sachets a day. I'd start small and build up. I never got to 3 sachets on a regular basis as that bunged me up!

If you are having heavy periods, it might be worth seeing your GP about tranexamic acid to slow your bleeding - a pincer move if you like, less blood out and more iron in. Its helped me a lot.

[lorelei9]

The one I have says 1 a day, 2 if pregnant, which I'm not, but that you can take more if you are in a hurry to get levels up. I'm not in a hurry so I think 1 will be fine. I'm on the pill so don't have heavy periods any more.

This is going to sound odd but when told I was anemic in the past, I didn't really feel it. But this time I can. Mum has the same history as me, oddly fluctuating iron levels, but hers is fine post menopause.

Thanks for the advice on the transthingy acid, I'd not heard of it and it might be useful information in future.

[Aquamarine70]

All iron tablets upset my stomach but I can take Spatone with no problems at all. I think you would be fine with 2 sachets. Take one in the morning & one later in the day. I mix it with apple juice.

[lorelei9]

I had one this morning in water. I think I'll stick with one atm....it does say one a day anyway?

[SmallGreenBouncyBall]

liquid iron didn't agree with md at all. in the end I was prescribed acid resistant tablets. they did the job and I hardly had any side effects.

[Realitea]

Spatone!!
It's the only iron I can stomach and I have ibs so that's saying something!