Could iron tablets be making me poorly??

Try “Gentle Iron” as opposed to the standard tablets.

@SuperJunehiya! I’ve just started these iron supplements! How long until you noticed a difference within yourself

It’s worth noting that the ferrous fumarate amount is not the elemental iron amount. The iron in 215mg ferrous fumarate is apparently around 70mg of elemental iron. The active iron advance is elemental iron, so at 25mg still too low for OP or yourself but not as much lower as I originally thought. The betteryou mouth spray is elemental iron as well, but that’s any even lower dose still, but both claim to be better absorbed than other iron supplements (don’t know if that’s really the case or not).

Common reaction to iron supplements. I was recommended to take Floradix Liquid Iron Formula, which I could tolerate just fine.

It's been fine and solved the problem. I have always had a gynaecologist do it though as I don't trust the GP!

I know this isn’t an option for everyone, but I paid for an iron infusion when my ferritin was in the low teens. Whacked it up to over 200 and I’ve not needed to supplement again now in about 2 years.

I used to take Spatone but it wasn't enough to make my iron levels high enough to give blood, so I think it's too gentle too.

I take soluble iron (gluconate) tablets in a glass of water but I have been wondering if they have been irritating my GI system as well. I don't take them every day.

Also, maybe increase your fibre so you dont get constipated.

They can cause constipation. Get them changed.

Though I am no expert - just a person who has been anaemic! Wondering whether anyone else got v anxious while anaemic, I had to stand up on a tram once before my levels had returned to normal and I thought I would have a panic attack because I needed to sit down and couldn't. I am a public transport veteran, never normally bugs me to be stood up at all - and I had my husband with me! Such a uniquely awful feeling.

I take ferrous fumarate every 48h to maintain levels (it doesn't upset my stomach, lots of medications massively affect me but I dodged the iron bullet!) and it's 215mg per tablet. 20 or 25 is going to do v little for OP.

Merina has been perfect for me. I've had it 8 years with no bleeding at all.

I came on to say this as well. My GP actually told me to take them every other day as they would work better.

The amount of iron in things like Spatone might keep people topped up, but is nowhere near enough iron to correct such a deficiency. I was told this at the iron clinic.

They actually make them now with orange in, so even easier. I double dosed for a while, but as pp said the reason for the anaemia also needs addressing.

My iron didn't normalise till I got a Mirena.

I can't tolerate iron tablets that I've tried. My iron is that low now, but I found infusions amazing.

I know it’s dodgy to make comparisons, but a sibling had a ferritin of 5.

An immediate appointment was made so that they had an iron infusion.

it took about an hour to complete, and sibling felt some benefit even the next day, but was advised that the full benefits would unfold over about six weeks.

I hope this info helps you.

I hope you check back here, OP.

Put your foot down with the Dr & tell you you can't & truly do not want to take the tablets & want to look at an infusion. It will take so long to get your levels up to anything substantial on the tablets. It varies across the country as to who they are offered to (which is appaling imo) but anything below 9 should be considered per NICE guidelines.

They should also be looking at why your levels are so low - cos they are! You must feel like shit & have forgotten what normal is like. My final straw (after hair falling out, having to move slowly in case my vision went & so on) was nearly slicing my finger off at work cos my co-ordination was absolutely borked - I was at risk of seriously hurting myself cos I work alone.

Really pin your gp down about infusions

I agree with this. Spatone isn't a very high dose, but when my dd was anaemic I used a double dose and put the sachet contents into a glass of fresh orange juice. Altermatively take it with vitamin c tablets.
No tea or coffee within 2 hours and you can boost absorption by 4 times.
No side effects and it works.
So many people don't take iron supplements properly.

I was looking for one just recently that is gentle on the stomach and came across Active iron advanced. It seems to come in both 20mg or 25mg doses, so don’t know if that’s strong enough, but claims it’s more easily absorbed than most, so as effective as higher doses of other iron supplements, and also much less likely to cause stomach discomfort or constipation. I’ve been using it for almost a week and so has a family member who has problems with tummy and constipation as it is. I haven’t noticed any problems for my family member and I haven’t had any myself so far.

God yes - ew - iron tablets often feel like the cure's worse than the disease!

Spatone packets are good as an alternative. You can get them in Boots.

Yes and it’s very common. I had anaemia in all of my pregnancies and when they tried to give me the tablets, I refused. I took them the first time and they made me so constipated, I was in agony. I took spatone instead, little sachets of liquid iron from Holland&Barrett. Much more gentle.

I spoke to the pharmacist and they advised changing to ferrous gluconate - which is better but not great. I still get digestion issues. I’m pushing for an iron infusion.

My mum is frequently anaemic and her GP said to take the tablets every other day to aid absorption. Something in your body kicks in to avoid getting too much iron when you take them daily.
It might not solve the problem but in addition to helping use the iron better it would give your stomach a night off in between doses.
Hope you feel better soon, it’s such a drag.

Iron supplements are known to cause digestive distress but if you're hair is falling out due to anaemia I wouldn't just stop due to the stomach upset.