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General health

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Original poster

How long have you been told to take iron tablets for?

15 replies

Woahhohoho · 24/02/2023 19:34

I got refused Ferrous Sulphate at boots pharmacy today as I've been taking them too long. I haven't noticed a massive improvement in the last year or so I've been on them and definitely feel worse again since changing to Feraglobin tabs so wanted to go back onto the original ones.

The pharmacist said there is a risk of iron poisoning but my doctor never mentioned this and the repeat prescription is still showing on my NHS app.

My periods are worse than ever which isn't helping, I can't take the combined pill and am reluctant to take anything else hormonal so that's out.

My dr wasn't massively helpful the first time I saw him and just gave 'periods' as the answer to why my levels have been on the floor for most of my adult life. I was refused a transfusion.

Has anyone had the same issue and have been allowed to keep taking the 200mg?

OP posts:

Sweet89 · 24/02/2023 19:40

Not exactly the same but similar, but a few months ago I was prescribed folic acid tablets and was told to only take for 3 months, I think 6 months is max. Unless you've got long term anemia then iron tablets shouldn't be taken long term I believe

Original poster

Woahhohoho · 24/02/2023 19:45

Oh really? I had no idea! Looks like I'm going to be one of the many in the doctors queue on Monday!

Thanks 😊

OP posts:

lifter · 24/02/2023 19:47

That's terrifying, I've been on them for over a year now under GP prescription.

TiredArse · 24/02/2023 19:48

I was told three months then get my iron checked again to see if they were still needed.

ThreeCurleyChips · 24/02/2023 19:48

I take ferrous sulphate consistently one a day. I took them on the back of rubbish ferritin levels (3 a day directed by GP years ago) but my levels never go high so I continued with 1 a day. I can tell when I run out of ferrous sulphate tablets as my exhaustion returns

Switchwitch · 24/02/2023 19:57

Four months and then another test to see if levels have improved.

GCAcademic · 24/02/2023 19:59

Three months.

PlugUgly1980 · 24/02/2023 20:02

Three months a 3 a day, then retest and adjust course depending on blood test results.

Original poster

Woahhohoho · 24/02/2023 20:02

I had rubbish results originally then 3 months later had an improvement (ferritin from 3 to 16), since then I've been left to it but didn't know it was supposed to be reviewed at all. I'll call on Monday and see if they want to check me again or if I need to start lying to pharmacists to get my fix 😂.

I don't use the prescription service as it's cheaper to buy them over the counter, maybe this is where I've gone wrong...

I just know that I need them, my symptoms are awful at the minute despite making a real effort with my diet. I've been ill which hasn't helped the exhaustion.

OP posts:

Xrays · 24/02/2023 20:08

I take one ferrous fumerate daily (210mg) long term because of long term anaemia related to lupus. I’ve been on short courses and as soon as I stop taking them it comes back. BUT - I have 6 monthly blood tests. You shouldn’t be taking them without some sort of regular monitoring.

AnnaMagnani · 24/02/2023 20:09

If you still have heavy periods then you aren't really going to get iron poisoning as you are only topping up the iron you are continuing to lose with the periods.

I have patients who are on iron for years.

First question would be has your haemoglobin and ferritin returned to normal (ferritin properly good, not just scraped into the normal range)

If not then you still need iron

Second question - if your bloods are normal, can you maintain that without the iron tablets? - Given you lose a load of iron every 28 days, you may just end up back where you started.

Paq · 24/02/2023 20:14

I've been taking them for about four years! But I don't get them on prescription because it's cheaper to just buy them.

I'm on my last lot though as I have a hysterectomy booked in for next month.

ThreeCurleyChips · 25/02/2023 03:40

My iron sits naturally about 10 if I don’t have ferrous sulphate tablets. I have one a day but my GP originally prescribed 3 a day. When I stop them I feel rubbish. I also have b12 injections due to a deficiency.

lifter · 25/02/2023 06:26

@AnnaMagnani thank you, that's really reassuring to know you have patients on them long term! This thread has reminded me that it's almost time for another blood test though so I'll get that booked in.

Original poster

Woahhohoho · 25/02/2023 09:54

AnnaMagnani · 24/02/2023 20:09

If you still have heavy periods then you aren't really going to get iron poisoning as you are only topping up the iron you are continuing to lose with the periods.

I have patients who are on iron for years.

First question would be has your haemoglobin and ferritin returned to normal (ferritin properly good, not just scraped into the normal range)

If not then you still need iron

Second question - if your bloods are normal, can you maintain that without the iron tablets? - Given you lose a load of iron every 28 days, you may just end up back where you started.

That's really useful, thank you!

My ferritin had reached the giddy heights of 16 after 3 months and I haven't had my levels checked since. I now know they should be much higher but my dr said they don't matter 🙄

Me periods are getting closer together, averaging 24 days now, so I think it's a big factor in me not being able to keep my stores up. Plus I'm very clotty, more so recently than before I had kids.

OP posts:

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