Has anyone felt better after taking iron supplements at home?

[TiredPetunia]

I bought spatone today in a desperate bid to feel better. It was on offer in Sainsbury's and I thought I'd try it.

I don't know why I'm so tired and useless all the time; is it anemia? Depression? Laziness? Two decades of heavy periods?

Has anyone taken spatone or anything similar and felt better? If so, how long did it take to feel the effects? The box I bought has 2 weeks worth of doses.

I don't think more iron "works" as a general tonic but yes, if you are genuinely deficient, the effects of a supplement can be miraculous within a couple if weeks.

You shouldn't self diagnose though, too much iron can be dangerous.

I don't know about Spatone but when I was deficient in iron it took a good 3 weeks to feel any different and that was on a mega dose from the GP.

Have you had a blood test? It could be any number of things.

Get a blood test if you’re not sure what’s going on. It could be any of the things you mention, also low b12, vit d, something completely different. If you’re anaemic then taking iron will help. You need vit c to take it with and look up the things which stop it being absorbed - caffeine, dairy, eggs etc. You can consume them all but not too close before or after the iron supplement.

If you are anaemic, 2 weeks of spatone won’t make a difference. Ask your GP for a blood test and buy stronger iron tablets if it comes back deficient.

You need to have your iron levels checked with a blood test. No point trying to dose yourself! When I was mildly anaemic, I was on 200mg, twice a day. Spatone is only 5mg a day, which is 1/3 of a daily maintenance dose! Even a regular multvitamin with iron has 14mg of iron.

It takes 3mths for your body to fully replicate and renew red blood cells, so if you are actually anaemic, its not a quick fix to get your levels back up. Getting checked is the only safe way. Iron isn't excreted like Vit C and can build up, so if you aren't anaemic, it dangerous to take too much.

Yes, Spatone does wonders for me, but I agree with the PP who said that it’s not much good as a general tonic, only if you’re iron deficient. After about 7-10 days I start to feel the first signs of feeling a bit more like myself. I supplement vitamin D all year round because I have an autoimmune condition that is linked to low Vit D and various period/menopause related supplements as well. Definitely worth a try.

Interesting to read the other responses from people with more information. Perhaps my feeling better is psychosomatic!

Yes, I take spatone with berocca first thing every morning, it's a nigella tip, don't you know

Empty stomach means iron absorbs easily, vit c combines with iron to maximize benefits, if it don't take it for a couple of days I feel crap.

I tried tons of iron supplements before spatone and all upset my stomach, I raised my iron levels impressively using this method- tested by doctor.

I am horrendously anaemic but can not tolerate ferrous fumerate as I have IBS so I take two Spatone per day, I haven’t had my blood retested yet but am starting to feel more energetic and much less tired.

@CoronaBanana

I don't know about Spatone but when I was deficient in iron it took a good 3 weeks to feel any different and that was on a mega dose from the GP.

Have you had a blood test? It could be any number of things.

Same as this for me. I’d been taking spatone and other things on and off for a year with no real effect, but I noticed a difference within a week on the prescription strength (and that was only managing to take 2 rather than the prescribed 3 a day). I was like a whole new woman after a month, literally like super-strength, super-energised Wonderwoman.

In my case it was due to a massive undiagnosed fibroid causing heavy periods for years - which I had just put down to age (late40s). Go and get a blood test and see what’s going on.

If you’re anaemic then Spatone just won’t cut it. You need a higher dose to give you a good boost.

Ask your GP for a blood test, and then look up ‘normal’ levels.

For example my GP said I wasn’t vitamin D deficient as my level was above 25 (it was 27) and yet the private GP that I saw said that for him he’d say at least 80 was an optimal level. I got my levels up to 98 and feel like a completely different person.

God I feel like a prat now. Totally fell for a discount and nice package.

I haven't been to the GP in years. I didn't think you could just ask for a blood test because you felt off?

I don't know if I have anemia. I feel tired a lot, I'm short of breath, exercise exhausts me, the pink of my under eyes are a bit pale. In addition to heavy periods I was bulimic for 5 years and vegan for 10. Pescatarian now. But I do wonder if I did some damage in my ✨youth✨

Petunia I would suggest you see your doctor, get your iron and B12 tested asap.

Spatone can be effective for mild anaemia. When I was pregnant I got my HB up from 10 to 14 by taking two a day. But you really do need a blood test OP. Lethargy can be a symptom of lots of things. Best to get checked out.

Also getting adequate vitamin d is crucial for both mental and physical health and if you're in UK it's recommended for everyone in non sunny months (October-March) or year-round if you are indoors a lot or keep covered when outdoors.

A blood test is eminently sensible if you’re feeling different and worse than normal and your energy levels are shit.

I’ve been anaemic off and on for decades, have chronically low ferritin, don’t absorb b12 at all and have off/on low bp. I get b12 injections which make a big difference but a while back I just felt shattered, like so tired I could cry, if only I wasn’t too bloody exhausted to cry. Called GP, got a blood test and she asked for ferritin, thyroid, diabetes and kidney function as all those can make you suddenly exhausted. I’m sure there are loads and loads of other things that do the same so it’ll depend on your age and lifestyle etc.

It was my ferritin, which was in the gutter, so I’m on a high dose of iron and feeling so much better. Repeat bloods a month later showed a big improvement but still a long way to go.

Go see the doctor OP! Yes it’s a mission even talking to one most of the time but your health is worth it.

I felt like this a few months ago so docs did bloods and came back I had low iron. Spatone is very low in iron it won’t touch it if that’s what’s wrong with you. Go to boots and ask them for ferrous sulphate tablets (one tablet is I think the equivalent of 5/6 Spatone sachets), take one a day with a vitamin c tablet to help absorb it. I now feel bloody brilliant 😀

You sound like me OP. I’ve gotten my iron up myself but it has taken a few years to be honest! I take iron tablets (ferrograd c) and spirulina

I am another on and off anaemic and the Spatone sachets are fine for maintenance but not when you're already low. If I have a severe dip, these start to pick me up in 2-3 days as a short term measure.
www.boots.com/active-iron-30-capsules-10220795
I would say also get tested, but nothing is happening very quickly at the moment with all the CovId restrictions. I also find the iron supplements you get on NHS prescription hard to tolerate. I agree with what @sensateria says too: quite a few doctors don't take it as seriously as they should. So I understand you looking for something to help quickly. Also pursue getting checked out.

I take iron cause the doctor said I needed to. Only difference I notice is sometimes I shit black.

Do not take coffee or tea too close to the Spatone. They block absorption so you'd be wasting your money. Do take OJ/lemon juice etc for Vit C as improves absorption.

Blood test before taking this advice op, and a general multi vitamin.
Lots of iron rich foods.
I can be anemic at times, so did the iron supplements.
Ended up months down the line feeling worse. Blood test don't, doc rings back to speak about results- iron too high, wondering why.
Advice to stop iron tablets immediately.

Please speak to GP and get Blood test before self medicating.

Even over the counter vitamins can be very dangerous, taken incorrectly.

Yes, I am feeling much better after taking iron supplements (ferrous sulphate) for a few weeks. I could barely function at work before, I was like a zombie.

It’s really important to get your iron levels tested before supplementing. A number of the symptoms of iron overload are the same as iron deficiency. Also, iron supplements can make you feel u well at first. I had stomach aches for the first week but they have eased off now. Testing is also important because you could have another medical issue that needs to be treated.

Ferraglobin is really good, I felt so much better after taking it and Vit D .