Is it real or am I imagining it that I'm full of beans just one day after starting Fe supplements?

[Antst]

I live where it's very difficult to get healthcare. I got my second appointment in four years yesterday, where the doctor told me I have very low iron levels (I was delighted because I was afraid my weird symptoms indicated something more serious).

Anyway, I immediately bought iron supplements and took one. This morning I feel like superwoman--up at 6 am on the dot, like I used to be until a few years ago, getting work done, cleaning, waiting impatiently for it to be light enough to go running, planning a buche de noel. This is how I used to be.

For the past few years, I have had to push myself even to get my teeth brushed before 8:30 am.

Is there anyone out there who understands medicine and knows whether this is all psychological or whether the supplements might actually have an effect so fast? Very curious.

It takes about 3 months to top up iron levels so I suspect what you are feeling is 'being taken seriously ' and the placebo effect. Enjoy and don't stop taking the supplements too soon.

I have no idea but I want what you have! My iron levels are f*ed and am sick of it x

As already said this is medically impossible for it to be the iron tabs but good for you!!! Happy for you

Are you not in the UK? Because here it’s not really possible to get the sort of high strength iron one needs for anaemia over the counter.

But yes, even if you are somewhere where you were able to buy (rather than be prescribed) a high enough dose, it would take a while for them to have an effect.

But Dr Placebo is a true miracle worker!

(I’m now worried that this miserable reply might ruin the ‘effect’.)

Nevertheless, I hope your doctor has investigated the cause of your low iron levels?

It's definitely psychological, it happens to me too!
When I remember to take my iron tablets I feel fab the whole day/week. So much so that I forget to take my iron tablets.... repeat cycle

On the flip side, I've been feeling tired for a while but put it down to pregnancy in general and a lot going on in life right now. At the weekend I got a letter from my midwife confirming my iron levels are low and since finding out I genuinely feel much worse - so so tired and dizzy all the time. Definitely psychological as nothing has changed yet.

Thanks, everyone! I don't know the first thing about biology or medicine but suspected it would be impossible to feel this good so soon!

LiterallyKnowsBest, I am in the UK and don't have an iron prescription yet (it'll apparently take a few days) so the supplements I bought were over-the-counter ones from Boots.

I was interested to find out from the doctor that I don't have anaemia. Not sure how that works. She said it's possible to have very low iron, but not anaemia.

I'm not offended at all to find out that I'm susceptible to the placebo effect! Whatever works! I just thought I'd be too cynical to be taken in by it! Hope this lasts!

Thanks, everyone!

ContadoraExplorer, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you find a solution. At least there's a time limit on pregnancy.

My son was low in iron at 5 months old and within 24 hours I had a different baby, I asked the doctors at work and they told me that it would make a difference really quickly as he was used to running at such a low level, but if he remained at this new still very low level he would quickly revert to how he had been.

sleezeandwineparty, that's interesting. I wonder if body mass would make a difference; there would have been a lot less of your son than there is of me to respond to the iron!

I just returned from a 10-mile run where I did my Christmas food shopping on the way home and carried it back too! So still feeling great whatever is going on!