experience of iron supplements for 3yo?

[wolfhound]

My 3yo DS had a blood test which showed he has low iron. Dr recommends liquid iron supplements which he will have to take 3 x a day. Have googled a bit and found these can cause constipation etc. which sounds worrying. Has anyone got any experience of their DCs taking iron supplements?

I've had both my children on Seven Seas Tonic (although I've never given more than 2 doses per day) and it's never caused them constipation

Thanks 4nomore. Am seeing dr on Thurs, so will find out what they prescribe - don't know if it's an over the counter supplement or a prescription one (in which case perhaps the iron levels are significantly higher than in 7 Seas?)

My DS has been on iron supplements among other things for 6 months now. He's always suffered from constipation, mainly due to his restricted diet. I have to say that I didn't see his condition get any worse and when I did, a bit of lactulose sorted him out and as that is not absorbed by the body so it's not doing him harm. I've found the key to be plenty of water to drink.

Iron rich foods in the diet are much better - liver, red meat etc as they are absorbed better by the body from food. Iron can cause upset tummies too. Try also iron enriched milk and so on, its probably only mild anaemia. My DGS had liquid iron from 6-12 months and hated it, vomiting, refusing, it doesnt taste nice at all. How low is his HB or is he just low on ferratin?

I'm not advocating not taking the iron supplements if prescribed and necessary, but try to get the GP to give you a better picture.

You could try spatone its for the over 2's or theres another fruity flavoured liquid supplement that is fine for children,can't remember the name, I had it when pregnant and neither cause constipation.
There are reasons why iron levels are low so it needs monitoring which they will do but they also need to know how much iron suplement is going in to compare to another blood test in 6 months.

Floradix and Ferroglobin are both liquids and don't cause constipation. My DS loves them both.