Liquid iron supplements

[Para28]

Hi all,

Wondering if anybody takes liquid iron supplements or sachets, and if so, do you find that they cause fewer stomach problems than tablets? And do they work in increasing your iron levels?

Thanks!

[tak1ngchances]

I'm on spatone for a week but am going to ask for something else. I have diarrhoea since I started them so clearly they don't agree with me!
I would prefer constipation to this so might take the tablets...

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

My iron was a bit borderline last time, so I've been taking them. But just one sachet a day, not the pregnancy two as it's only a preventative measure. So far my levels are looking pretty good and no noticeable side effects. But of course I could have had that without the spatone!

[Para28]

I'm thinking of taking something preventatively too - in my first trimester my iron levels were a bit borderline, and now I'm ~20 weeks and eating better but suddenly feeling incredibly tired and breathless. tak1ngchances, are you taking 1 or 2 sachets?
I'm a bit wimpy but I can't swallow tablets, so another reason I was looking for an alternative. But pregnancy has also made my IBS flare up and I'm on medication for reflux/heartburn too, so just don't want any other digestive issues! x

[jennyl131]

The spa tone suited me (& dh & ds) but gave dd dreadful sulphur smelling burps. I'm still taking spa tone when I remember, probably every other day. (newest dc is nearly 1)

I gave up on pregnancy vits and switched to spa tone as the tablets made me very constipated (tmi) You might just need to try it for a while to see if it suits.

[eurochick]

I'm taking spatone too. it affects digestion much less than the tablets.

[Suzietwo]

preggo amaemic and told spatone wouldnt help. probably ok to maintain pre preg levels but no good if theyve dropped, apparently.

the other stuff is vicious on digestion but would prefer to up iron and suffer now than deal with potential consequences of low iron post birth

[MrsMonkeyBear]

I'm taking Vitabiotics Feraglobin liquid. Taken it for about a year and had no issues with it. Upped my dose to 3x5ml a day, a spoon with each meal as accordance to the instructions. It also contains folic acid and other B vits so if I forget to take my preggo vits I don't feel so bad. It tastes ok too, it's orange and honey flavour. No tummy troubles with it at all.

[NunoBettencourt]

I can't swallow tablets either.

For the last pregnancy I was borderline with my Hb for needing iron and as I was only about 20 weeks I decided to take spatone to try and preempt it dropping any further. Previous pregnancies I have needed iron supplements so wanted to avoid it again if I could. Seemed to do the trick for me. I took 2 a day mixed in orange juice.

If you do end up needing an iron supplement the GP can prescribe ferrous fumerate (liquid) instead of the usual ferrous sulphate tablets. I've had it a few times now. It's grim tasting though!

[weebigmamma]

I'm on tablets and they give me diarrhea but I'm sticking to them. Yesterday I tried Spatone and didn't feel I had as much energy as with the tablets, didn't sleep well etc. Might have been just a fluke though. I only have 10 days to go however and I'm having a section so I figure diarrhea might not be the worst way my digestion could have gone and maybe I should feel glad it's not constipation. :-/

[Misty9]

I've been taking floradix liquid iron for a couple of months now (nearly 39wks) and do feel it has helped. My levels were borderline at 28wks and gp agreed I could try floradix first :) I'm absolutely rubbish at taking liquid meds but this is ok.

[Misty9]

Oh, and no obvious side effects :)

[Lagoonablue]

I think the tablets are quite strong so you would gave to make sure your dose of liquid iron matched your prescribed dose.

[Misty9]

You won't get liquid iron in the same strength as the tablets prescribed - but I'm pretty sure the liquid stuff is more easily absorbed as it's a natural supplement? Therefore, you need less... But I'd always chat to your gp about what they recommend.

[Para28]

The floradix liquid looks interesting - all natural stuff right? My iron levels haven't been checked since about 12 weeks (I'm now almost 20) so I don't actually know if low iron is what's causing my massive drop in energy. I guess I should speak to my GP or midwife before taking anything. I'm a bit surprised they don't do any blood tests for such a long time in between midwife appointments.

[Misty9]

I was surprised they wouldn't check iron until 28wks too para and I too was very fatigued, light headed and breathless. A lot of which can be attributed to low blood pressure and a toddler as well - do you have this? I did, and do. Blood pressure lowers in pregnancy (generally) due to the increase in blood volume; it may be this causing you to feel ick too.

[Para28]

Yes, I had low blood pressure before pregnancy and was prone to fainting, and I've noticed this is worse now - I avoid having too hot showers and getting up too suddenly cos of dizziness, and I get breathless easily. I didn't make the connection that it could be linked to fatigue too. I don't have a toddler to run around after though :)

[cakeymccakington]

my hb levels were 8.5 at 12 weeks

i started taking spatone (3 sachets) every day and by 26 weeks it was 10.7 and at 36 weeks it's 11.8

much easier on my tummy than tablets

[cakeymccakington]

sorry, meant to say my ferritin levels were also low, and that has increased too