Iron supplements that DON'T cause constipation

[MoirasWigStand]

I've been prescribed ferrous iron tablets by GP, following a blood test. I'm pre-anaemic, but on borderline.

However, I'm already on medication that causes constipation and use movicol to help with this. I started taking the iron tablets, but combined with other medication I came completely constipated, even movicol couldn't resolve it! So I have stopped the iron.

I am trying to increase iron in my diet, but do need something else as well. Are there any decent iron supplements that don't cause constipation?

Stuff like spatone is no good as only contains 5mg of iron (tablets are 325mg)

I did spatone, but used a lot . I'd do 2 or 3 mixed half and half with fruit juice 3 times a day. I managed to bring my ferritin up from 11 to 30 doing that.

Spatone is as good, because you absorb so much more of it. The constipating effect is from unabsorbed iron. I’m taking two spatone sachets a day which was my obstetricians replacement for one iron tablet a day. I drink it in OJ, and for an hour beforehand and afterwards don’t eat any wheat, dairy, coffee or tea as they inhibit absorption. So it makes me feel quite scheduled, but it is effective.

Thanks, maybe I will get some. I took it when I was pregnant.

Two whole hours without tea of coffee

You could try “gentle iron” but it might not be a high enough amount. Frustrating!

Floradix.

I take iron but fortunately have never been constipated.

Try taking iron at the same time with orange juice or prune juice.

Yes it’s quite hard! But spatone iron is I think elemental iron- so your 325mg is only about 100mg elemental iron. Then you absorb max 30% of it, so if you have iron sachets religiously while watching the diet, 2 sachets twice a day perhaps you are getting a similar enough amount minus the side effects. I came out of Ds1s birth with hb levels at rock bottom but they decided not to transfuse, and was on 3 sachets a day.

I find ferrous gluconate better for me than ferrous sulphate. You can also get capsules eith coated iron that breaks down in intestine not stomach - but they are very expensive

I take Activ8 Iron for Women daily, and then during my period switch to Ferrograd proper iron tablets for 5 days (or however long).

I saved this once for the same reasons

Another vote for gentle iron, I take codeine and by rights should be constipated with iron added in to the mix but never have a problem with gentle iron