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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not accept this

20 replies

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 16:52

For the longest time I've been iron deficienct, taking over the counter supplements but they haven't touched the sides. I had another blood test to check my levels and all I get is a text to say "your iron is low you need to buy some over the counter supplements". I need much stronger ones but I feel I'm being fobbed off. Do I call them and ask for an appointment to discuss this? I just can't keep on with these awful symptoms.

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 20/03/2025 16:56

When I get them over the counter, the dose is about 5 times smaller than prescription ones so I take several.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/03/2025 17:02

Iron tablets are the devil's spawn. Why are you low. Have you tried including more iron rich foods in your diet?

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 17:03

I'm vegan so I imagine that's a lot to do with it. But even when I wasn't I was low, so perhaps my body doesn't absorb it very well? I'm not sure. The doctors haven't even discussed anything with me about my blood results so it's just a guessing game on my part.

OP posts:
Maitri108 · 20/03/2025 17:03

Can you afford an infusion? They're between £100-£300 in some places.

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 17:03

Also, why are iron tablets the devil's spawn?

OP posts:
fghbvh · 20/03/2025 17:04

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 17:03

Also, why are iron tablets the devil's spawn?

They’re not 🤣

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 17:04

Maitri108 · 20/03/2025 17:03

Can you afford an infusion? They're between £100-£300 in some places.

Unfortunately not. I will when I go back to work when my little one is older but not right now

OP posts:
Littlebitpsycho · 20/03/2025 17:06

I have this problem, low iron but my body doesn't absorb it properly. I have infusions but they're a major pain in the bum, time consuming and don't actually help with my symptoms (tiredness etc)

Maitri108 · 20/03/2025 17:13

Soitis83 · 20/03/2025 17:04

Unfortunately not. I will when I go back to work when my little one is older but not right now

What about Sytron? It's a liquid iron supplement you can get OTC.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/03/2025 17:18

fghbvh · 20/03/2025 17:04

They’re not 🤣

Lol they are. Play havoc with your bowel movements and make your poo such a wonderful colour 🤣

JustCleaningtheBBQ · 20/03/2025 17:29

You need to find out why your iron is low if it has been low for a long time. Do you have any other symptoms? Stomach problems?

this happened to my friend and she was sent for an endoscopy and they discovered she had ulcerative colitis which can stop you absorbing iron properly. You would have other symptoms if you have UC though.

EvelynBeatrice · 20/03/2025 17:30

Maybe look up NICE national guidelines for anaemia and see what it suggests. If your doctor isn’t following them write a letter to surgery quoting them and ask why. Send by registered post.

TiredArse · 20/03/2025 17:35

Are you taking the ones that only the pharmacist can sell you (which are the same as the ones they prescribe) or the ones from the shelf?

welshgirl2025 · 20/03/2025 17:39

please go and see your doctor and get a proper blood test done. low iron over a long period of time can damage your other organs and cause serious problems with your digestive system.

varden · 20/03/2025 17:42

Have you tried Galfer ferrous fumirate, either liquids or tablets? It's sold otc without prescription. I used it for a while and found it effective but it did upset my innards a bit!

In the end, and not to frighten you, but my iron deficiency was due to a slow gastric bleed, and I had transfusion and infusion, and haven't looked back since.

I think you need to get to the root of why you have this, and it could be something like very heavy periods or malabsorption. If you haven't already, try the non prescription Galfer and see.

goldierocks · 20/03/2025 17:43

Hello OP

You should be able to arrange an appointment to speak to a practice nurse at your G.P. surgery to discuss your blood results in detail. You should get a full explanation and be given the opportunity to ask questions.

The NHS doesn't routinely prescribe iron tablets or injections anymore, unless it's been established that you have a secondary condition.

As you are vegan, you may want to seek other ways to improve the amount of plant-based iron rich foods you eat. The practice nurse might be able to refer you to a dietician who can provide advice.

Your G.P. practice should want to repeat your blood tests in 3 months to see if improvements to your diet and OTC iron have worked. You may find it helpful to take iron tablets with orange juice, which would both aid absorption and combat constipation (a very common problem when taking iron tablets, as your poo becomes thicker and darker). You might find one of the OTC liquid versions of iron easier to take and more gentle on your digestive system.

If diet and OTC iron has not worked for you, you may be prescribed iron injections, an infusion or even a transfusion. Next steps vary widely across the country depending on your NHS trust.

If you're still iron deficient after 12 months (4 blood tests 3 months apart), you should be referred to a gastroenterologist and haematologist so they can run further tests.

Some people simply can't absorb iron via their digestive system due to bowel conditions they may not even realise they have. Other people find that infusions (direct into the bloodstream) don't work for as long as they should, so they need them more often.

I hope you get the answers you need and feel better soon Flowers

FOJN · 20/03/2025 17:43

The last time I needed iron tablets it was cheaper to buy the tablets than pay a prescription charge for exactly the same drug and dosage. I think I took ferrous fumarate.

Ask the pharmacist for advice.

Hankunamatata · 20/03/2025 17:46

You can buy the ones they prescribe. I order online as easy than getting another script. These are the ones I get on prescription
www.expresschemist.co.uk/ferroess-305mg-capsules-100.html

Topseyt123 · 20/03/2025 17:52

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/03/2025 17:18

Lol they are. Play havoc with your bowel movements and make your poo such a wonderful colour 🤣

Totally. My mother had to stop taking prescription iron supplements for this reason. They made her more ill than the mild anaemia which had shown up on a blood test (borderline really).

They gave her severe diarrhoea, and as she isn't very mobile she couldn't get to the toilet in time. She found it very distressing so she stopped them

Mugcake · 20/03/2025 18:25

I'm in the same boat, I was so iron deficient I basically had zero reserves anymore. I was prescribed iron tables, took them for 3 months and my levels only went up marginally. The GP said as they'd risen (still way under the "normal" range) I was now fine and didn't need any more. Are you taking vit C as well? It helps you absorb iron. I've also found taking B12 has helped me have more energy.

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