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Original poster

Upset stomach when taking Iron tablets

48 replies

longtompot · 14/09/2021 16:22

I have to take iron tablets for anaemia but I struggle with them. I have over the past three years tried various ones, Spatone just doesn't have enough, Ferrous fumerate and sulphate (which I am currently taking) both upset my stomach and cause either constipation and or diarrhoea and make me feel sick. I have also tried Feroglobin liquid stuff which is disgusting and does all the other things.
I take them with a glass of orange juice and take them after food. The one time I took them before food I was shaking, felt very sick and just very ill, so I've not done that again.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help with this? My stomach is currently growling away so I know I shall have to rush to the loo again very soon.
The only thing that helped with my iron and didn't upset my stomach was infusions, which I'd really prefer them to do again tbh. It was about a year ago, and I had a procedure last week which is meant to help with the anaemia so hopefully my stored iron can start to increase. In hospital they did a blood test and my haemaglobin was 83 and my ferritin was 3!

OP posts:

Original poster

longtompot · 14/09/2021 17:32

@WitchBaby I've been on them a week so far. I think previously I've stuck it out for a week before saying enough. With the amount I'm going to the loo I am really not sure how much is actually being absorbed tbh. How long before you didn't have any of the awful side affects? I know it's meant to take about 4 weeks being on them before it has any affect on iron levels, but I can't bear this for that long.

@marioduck I have anaemia due to very heavy periods for many years due to fibroids and polyps. Just had another load of polyps removed and a d&c which should help stop the bleeding then I can start retaining the iron. That's the plan. I went through all this about 7/8 years ago. I am 50 this year, so hopefully menopause is on its way, but I'd be quite happy to have a hysterectomy if this doesn't work this time.

@Mariell I am taking with a glass of orange juice and after food.

I'll look at the other pills etc mentioned. I have looked at Floradix and it's the same as spatone in not being a high enough dose.

@CottonSock I'll get a vit c supplement too and see if that helps. Do you use the effervescent one?

I am very grateful for all your replies.

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Bbq1 · 14/09/2021 17:33

@rhonddacynontaf

Spatone is what you need. It is the only iron I can tolerate.

My iron is 82 and I am currently undergoing investigations to find out why. Had the iv infusion last week which caused me terrible pain for a day afterwards but I do have serious bowel problems. Sorry, no real advice just empathy but I would definitely avoid Spatone. I mentioned it as something I could take and my consultant said it doesn't provide anywhere near enough iron for anyone very iron deficient. It's more a supplement for people who just want a mild top up but already have pretty normal bloods.

Original poster

longtompot · 14/09/2021 17:34

@Greybeardy

What dose are you prescribed? For a lot of people just one tablet a day/every other day (instead of the old fashioned 3x a day) will work but with fewer side effects. Might be worth talking to your gp about?

200mg twice a day

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Maria1982 · 14/09/2021 17:39

No suggestions - other than if you can get iron infusions go for it !!! My GP asked hospital if they would do this for me and they declined (!!).
Much sympathy as I am in similar boat, and it’s hard trying to keep taking the damm tablets when they make you ill.

I find Ferrous sulphate gives me constipation.
Ferrous fumarate seems to give me
Really upset bowels! (Diarrhoea).
Spatone pointless, not strong enough.

I was advised to take with vitamin C, rather than just orange juice, to aid absorption.
So I take it with dissolved fizzy vitamin C tablet.
I now do this, after food, every other day (slightly better in terms of side effects than daily, and better than nothing I figure !)

Hawkmoth · 14/09/2021 17:44

I have Ferrous Gluconate in red sugar coated tablets. It's the first one I have tolerated over many many years.

KittenKong · 14/09/2021 17:46

I used to take the liquid form (in orange juice) on a full stomach.

Original poster

longtompot · 14/09/2021 17:47

I'm hoping to hear from my gp at some point as the hospital have asked them to look into it. They were very surprised I hadn't had blood tests prior to my procedure, so I was glad I mentioned it. I know my ed was worried something might happen if I lost too much blood during it. I shall ask to have the infusions again as they didn't cause any problems and I felt so much better within a few days of them. No more out of breath going up hills with tingling across my shoulders and down my arms.

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CottonSock · 14/09/2021 18:06

I didn't like the fizzy vit c much so taking tablets now. Just tesco ones. Quite big but go down OK. Maybe your pharmacist can help with any other options like the liquid one. I've never tried it.

Original poster

longtompot · 14/09/2021 18:07

I struggle to take tablets, have done a few times with these iron ones, so I think those might be a bit beyond me! I'll try out the fizzy ones.

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Threewheeler1 · 14/09/2021 18:18

longtompot
Sympathies! Am in the same position owing to fibroids (have named the largest one 'Alan' and he is a bastard!)
I just want it all out now.
I'm on Ferroglobin plus a Spatone (think it's a bit of a rip-off - might as well lick an old coal bucket) but not sure if it's actually correcting the anaemia. Still feel rubbish and weak. No stomach issues except possibly the opposite problem to you! I've tried lots of different iron tabs and they all make me feel nauseous so appreciating all the suggestions generated by your thread
Hope you remain polyp free & feel better soon x

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/09/2021 19:10

I take iron last thing at night, it needs an empty stomach to absorb. If you absorb it you should swerve the side effects caused by it travelling through you unabsorbed.

Original poster

longtompot · 14/09/2021 20:10

@Fluffycloudland77

I take iron last thing at night, it needs an empty stomach to absorb. If you absorb it you should swerve the side effects caused by it travelling through you unabsorbed.

As I said above I have tried on an empty stomach and it made me very ill. My stomach is keeping me awake at night as it is, so I don't think that would work for me.

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ThePug · 14/09/2021 22:30

Taking it not within an hour before/after any dairy helped when I took them - sulphate was awful regardless but fumarate I tolerated ok as long as not with dairy. Really messed up my morning tea-drinking routine !

SamanthaJayne4 · 14/09/2021 23:25

I take these OP. www.vitabiotics.com/products/feroglobin-capsules?variant=29079594991685&msclkid=58678dabca741cf9f4beeceaea618bc4&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20Generic%20-%20UK&utm_term=4581390076303041&utm_content=Feroglobin%20Capsules. I have a very irritable stomach and find these don't cause any problems. They are sometimes on offer in Tesco - 3 packs for the price of 2. I self medicate. If you don't want to click the link the name is shown and it's Feroglobin capsules.

Chillichillichilli · 15/09/2021 00:01

There are studies that demonstrate taking iron supplements on alternate days, rather than daily, actually leads to increased iron absorption and reduced side effects. Might be worth asking your doctor about this.

Original poster

longtompot · 15/09/2021 12:16

@SamanthaJayne4

I tried the liquid version of these. Sadly I wouldn't be able to take them as capsule form (too big and I just can't take capsules at all).

My dh mentioned trying taking them every other day, just to have something. I think I was just trying to get my iron back up quickly as I am feeling pretty rubbish. Zero energy and enthusiasm to do anything, even things I like, and I just can't sleep. Every day I can't wait for bed and then just lie there not sleeping and then the alarm goes off and it's another day.

I tried taking one before bed, but my stomach was still very upset, so I am not sure that's for me. I'll try taking them an hour after eating and try to avoid dairy when having them.

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purplesequins · 15/09/2021 12:24

you could ask for duodenal tablets that only dissolve in the intestines. much less side effects.

I never got along with liquid iron. gave me terrible indegestion.

purplesequins · 15/09/2021 12:25

but the tablets I had were horse size rather big

KKJ1980 · 15/09/2021 12:34

Have you tried Active Iron? It has been designed so you don't get an upset stomach.

marioduck · 15/09/2021 14:16

I wonder how much of the research into treating iron deficiency anaemia has actually been done using female test subjects rather than male. I would wager next to none as is usually the case.

Nah, it's a predominantly female health issue, we'll just tell them to keep taking the tablets they can't absorb that make them ill and miserable. We all know women are hysterical, it's not worth any further consideration - just shut up and take it with orange juice.

marioduck · 15/09/2021 14:17

Please do ask about infusions again since this is a long term problem.

You deserve better care than you have received.

Original poster

longtompot · 15/09/2021 15:09

@KKJ1980

Have you tried Active Iron? It has been designed so you don't get an upset stomach.

That's only got 17 mg of iron in it, so not enough sadly. I suspect it's for people who aren't anaemic but a bit low on iron. Plus it's got those pesky capsules I can't take.

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Original poster

longtompot · 15/09/2021 15:11

I should have said above, but I took my iron tablet with a big glass of orange juice about an hour or so after having my coffee and so far whispers stomach is not hurting or making any noises. I'll keep trying that route and see how I go before deciding whether to go down the infusion route.

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