Can someone advise me on iron deficiency?

[DangerouslyBored]

Hello, currently 15 weeks pregnant and have been diagnosed with low ferritin levels (20). GP has prescribed ferrous fumarate but the meds makes me feel v nauseas. Ive only been taking one of the three a day prescribed to start me off as gently as possible and even the one tablet is making me feel dreadful. I’ve only just got over months of HG so this is making me so miserable.

Is there anything I can take over the counter / from Amazon that might be easier on my stomach? With so many different types of iron supplements available, I’m at a loss to know what to buy. Any advice would be v welcome.

Can you talk to your GP or midwife about alternatives? I've been prescribed iron tablets but my midwife has said there are other ones (and liquid iron) available if I don't get on with them, I just have to talk to them and they will prescribe something else.

Iron supplements always upset my tummy. Can you increase your level via food intake? Obviously if it's urgent, not , but otherwise lots of iron rich foods with vitamin c. I like spinach and orange juice.

I get on much much better with liquid iron. The tablets were giving me awful trouble so I switched to Spatone (Apple flavoured) which was much better. Check with your midwife first, but mine said that was fine.

Thanks for this. I’m going to try Spatone and see if it works. It has v good reviews so fingers crossed!

I spoke to my GP prior to him prescribing the FF as I was concerned about feeling nauseous after suffering from HG. He didn’t mention liquid iron, only FF and FS tablets. From what I’ve read, they are equally as harsh on the stomach. I’ll talk to the clinical pharmacist at my surgery and request the liquid. Thanks

after months of HG and not eating my usual healthy diet, I’m back on lots of dark leafy veg and dates, etc. I’m a vegetarian which doubtless doesn’t help, but I’ve been told diet alone won’t be sufficient, I will need to supplement my diet

I take mine at bedtime so I sleep through any side effects.

My doctor told me off for switching to Spatone and said that it doesn't have side effects is because it contains so little iron. It might be worth checking with your GP before switching if you need to up your levels in a hurry! (To be fair my GP was a bit grumpy but he was kind hearted and I miss him now he's retired).

The tablets from your doc will be much higher strength than anything over the counter so it would be better to persevere. They do make you feel sick at first but that will fade. Take them at bedtime so you sleep through some of it.

Interesting. My doc recommended and just said I needed two pouches per day instead of one. Swapped over and my iron levels are ok now and no side effects to speak of.

OP - definitely check with your midwife and see what they say.

It does have less iron (per sachet) than a dose of the tablets but it’s more easily absorbed so it tends to balance out. Normally you’d be advised to take two sachets (spread out). There are also spray liquid iron available.

I'm currently taking Sytron liquid (not pregnant). Prescribed by GP. I started on a tiny dose and the side effects were nasty. I was convinced I'd never be able to take the full amount. 5 weeks later I'm up to max dose and very minor side effects only. I don't really understand why I got used to it, but happy I have anyway! Spatone just doesn't have enough iron in it.

Another vote for liquid iron, if your midwife is happy. I can’t tolerate the tablets, but am ok with the liquid.
If they’re not happy, asked if an iron infusion is possible, you can have it as an outpatient.

I'm also taking Spartone. My midwife said it's absolutely fine and does the same job

Yes - this is what I was told / my experience!

I used iron drops, mixed with a little water and quickly gulped down. Those didn't upset my stomach.

I know iron tablets can make you feel nauseated, they did it to me. I had smoothies every day when I was pregnant with raw broccoli and spinach and liquid vitamin C, 1000mg.

Was it this habit that kept me non-anaemic throughout my pregnancy?

I don't know. I don't eat meat either, so if it wasn't this it was something else. But I was anaemic when I was 15 and ate meat.

That's all I know.

I took iron supplements for a while, iron bisglycinate from amazon here. They were quite high strength as my ferretin levels were very low and they are easily absorbable. They are easily digestible too and didn't cause me any upset stomach/constipation at all. They were recommended by a nutrionist.

Spatine and equivalent have very little amounts of iron on it so you need to take them over a longer period of time to feel some difference (so said my GP). Whatever you do, make sure you have your iron with orange juice as vitamin C helps with iron absorption. I had Hg for 3 months so you have my sympathies. It's soul destroying.