Anaemia and iron supplements?

[plimsolls]

For the past week or so, I've been experiencing racing heart, skipped beats, and a thumping in my chest. I've also felt breathless at odd times. I'd kind of out r down to some kind of latent anxiety but it occurred to me this morning as I crunched my way through a million ice cubes before having a brief nap that perhaps all my symptoms were related.... All symptoms of low iron.

I spoke to someone from my midwifery team on the phone (my midwife is off for the next few days) and she said that it would be fine to just start taking iron supplements straightaway as they'd do no harm, but they can take a while to work.

The racing heart-type symptoms are really uncomfortable and disconcerting. I even had dreams all last night of things attacking my chest.

So- two questions...

1. Do you have any recommendations for fast-acting/easily absorbed iron supplements?
   
2. Should I be more worried or do my symptoms sound like familiar anaemia to any of you?

[whiteychappers]

I've also been thinking the same after reading a lot. A friend of mine recommend beetroot tablets as they given you the iron without the horrible constipation.

[whiteychappers]

Being dehydrated can also give you palpitations and heart racing. Mine is sometimes when I'm resting but crossed my mind today that although I am resting, baby isn't!

[plimsolls]

Oh! That's an excellent tip. I was worried about the constipation side of things as that's a fine line for me at the moment anyway...

[plimsolls]

Thank you, by the way. I'll drink more water too (I probably don't drink enough because i subconsciously get fed up with needing to wee all the bloody time).

[CarrieLouise25]

I took spatone. Very easily absorbed, take with orange juice to aid absorption.

Would avoid the docs tablets as causes constipation.

Racing heart is horrible. Hope it gets better for you soon x

[plimsolls]

Thank you carrie

[Julieb85]

I take spatone (iron infused water) in a glass of OJ twice a day 👍 Made such a difference to me - I wasn't able to keep down any prescribed iron supplements.

[plimsolls]

Thanks julie.

I'm going to get some spatone and eat lots of beetroot tomorrow!

[emsyj]

Spatone is supposedly easier to absorb than traditional tablets - and doesn't cause constipation. It is more expensive than bog standard iron tablets tho. I am taking it because I had very low iron levels in my previous pregnancies so am trying to fend it off! Floradix is also meant to be good but I couldn't stomach it. It was very thick and tasted disgusting. Spatone is just slightly metallic tasting water.

[plimsolls]

Sounds like spatone is the way forward then emsyj thank you. (From what you've described, I don't think I could stomach floradix. Thick/heavy liquids make me gag!)

[mayhew]

Palpitations and other odd heart sensations are common in pregnancy. They are not sinister if they are short lasting episodes. Probably hormonal.

Breathlessness is also common. Partly due to increasing volume in the circulation, the increasing weight and then the growing bump under your diaphragm.

In my experience, most women with mild iron deficiency in pregnancy have no symptoms that are different from the majority. However, I would ask your midwives to arrange a blood test to check. You should be checked three times in pregnancy and they could do it early if needed.

[plimsolls]

Thank you mayhew, that's really helpful and reassuring. I have a midwife appointment on Friday so I'll ask about blood tests then if she's not doing it anyway.

[Equiem89]

I've taken all sorts of iron supplements. One that didn't constipate me and coincidently is made for pregnant women is called fefol

[Flisspaps]

Spatone or Ferroglobin

[dats]

I'm taking 3x Spatone a day at the moment. Dose suggested by my midwife after my 28w bloods showed a big drop since booking (and I'm naturally low usually).

When I saw consultant last week for a routine growth scan, he was really sniffy about it, like it was some bonkers homeopathy (I know it's Nelson's, but yannow!) Anyway I told him that the bioavailability was much higher than from food absorption or ferrous sulphate/fumate tablets but he didn't seem convinced. I'll have another blood test next week so we'll see if it's helped!

Meanwhile: it's 3 for 2 in Tesco, cheaper than Boots. Also found it cheap on Amazon, in case any of that is helpful!

[plimsolls]

Thank you all.

I picked up one box of spatone sachets from the supermarket on my way to work this morning, but I'll be making use of the Tesco offer (cheers dats!) as this box will only last me a week.

[Mumchatting]

I would check your iron levels first.
If you are very low on iron, then spatone and other available without prescription iron supplements will do no change to you.
You will need iron supplement on prescription. It doesn't always cause constipation. I never get constipated from iron and I am having very high dose 3 times a day so everyone's different. Best to check your blood count and GP will decide.

[Alibobbob]

I agree with mumchatting you need to check your iron levels first can you ring your GP and speak to the secretary, s/he will get GP's advice and ring you back hopefully telling you the form is in reception waiting for you to collect it and go for a blood test.

It can be dangerous to take too much iron.

I hope your feeling better soon

[Bear2014]

Another vote for Spatone here. I've had a couple of instances of being very anaemic due to blood loss (c-section, miscarriage) and they work wonders for me. Iron tablets are evil and give me a bad tummy and constipation.

[iamdivergent]

I was taking spatone, took it for 5wks twice per day and my levels had dropped dramatically at next blood test. Dr put me on fumerate and levels have shot up.

[plimsolls]

That's interesting mumchatting and alibob the midwife i spoke to on Tuesday said to just start taking them straight away. I'm seeing my actual midwife (who I know and trust) tomorrow and she's doing bloods then so hopefully two days of spatone won't have done any harm either way. I do feel a bit better now but it could all be in my head!

[plimsolls]

Just re-read my hasty post.... I hope
it was clear that my comment about my "actual midwife who I know and trust" was putting her in contrast to the unknown midwife I spoke to on the phone rather than you mumchatting and ali.

[Alibobbob]

Lol plimsoles that's the way I read it.

I have problems with anaemia and receptionist at the medical centre booked lots of iron injection appointments in quick succession. I said I was concerned that they were too close together, she huffed and tutted, I asked her to check with a GP which she did and came back quite sheepish. There have been children who have died because they had found and taken their parents iron tablets. I am not trying to frighten just saying be careful too much too soon is dangerous but from your last post it's obvious the midwife said it was ok to start taking iron before a blood test in a couple of days.

X

[Fuzzywuzzywasabear]

I've just been diagnosed with anemia I have the same symptoms as you with dizzyness and feeling lightheaded.

Doctor gave me iron tablets, no constipation or bad side effects so far so don't assume you'll have a problem.