Anaemic but iron makes me sick - what can I do?

[rhaenyra01]

I’ve had fluctuating low iron for a long time, but since pregnancy and having DD I’ve been told my iron and platelets are very low. I’ve been prescribed iron tablets in the past but they always made me sick and also quite constipated so my GP said he didn’t want to give me them again, and just to try and eat plenty of iron-rich foods and have vitamin C to help absorb the iron, which I do.

The worst symptoms for me are that I constantly feel really hot, sweaty and dizzy like I’m going to faint. I’ve just gone back to work after Mat leave and feel really embarrassed that the same symptoms that were bothering me when I was pregnant are still happening now. Today at work I had to keep popping to the toilets and literally stripping off my clothes because I was so hot, nauseous and dizzy, and putting my head between my knees until it passed. I don’t know what else I can do. Does anyone have any tips?

I can't take oral iron. I have regular iron infusions and blood transfusions when required.

I've suffered from low iron for years and have also had iron infusions but I've never had symptoms like you describe, are you sure the temperature thing isn't hormonal? I had awful sweats after my babies could it be that as well?

Have you tried Spatone OP? Obviously not as good as proper supplements but I know it helps for some people and is much better tolerated than iron tablets.

Taking iron tablets or liquid makes me nauseous, but I can take an iron spray with no issues. I use one from a company called Better You.

Have a nice plate of beef liver once a week. Or just generally up your meat intake.

@Cumbrianlife @MissSmiley I might have to ask my GP about the iron infusions, although they’ve never mentioned them before. I did mention it to my health visitor and she said hormonal sweats are more related to breastfeeding, but my little one is FF.

I will have a look into the iron sprays/sparing etc! I already eat a lot of iron rich foods and my GP has said my diet is very healthy. Thank you for the suggestions.

The only iron supplement I have ever been able to tolerate is the Floradix liquid. Tastes absolutely disgusting, but makes a big difference.

Try Iron bisglycinate, it's much more bioavailable and gentler on the stomach than the ferrous fumarate prescribed so works well in lower doses. Blood builder was recommended which included beetroots extract, but there are many brands over the counter 28mg to 48mg

Have you tried liquid? My GP said because I didn't tolerate the tablet well that liquid was a better option and it worked better for me.

I have never had sweating as a symptom though, just fainting feeling, extreme tiredness.

The spatone is actually quite good even though it is a low dose. You can take 2 sachets, no tea or coffee within 2 hours of any food or the iron dose (it stops you absorbing the iron), take the iron with orange juice or a vitamin C tablet. (You absorb 4 times as much by doing this). Eat as much iron rich food as you can.

Has your GP checked your thyroid function?

If you’ve been prescribed Ferrous Sulphate ask if it can be changed to Ferrous Fumerate. It does the same job and doesn’t make you feel as bad. Worked for me

Have you tried Hemaplex? It's a plant based iron supplement with 43mg of iron in a daily dose. I take it 3 times a week because like you, iron tablets upset my stomach.

Definitely ask about infusions. If your levels are very low then dietary changes aren't going to help enough, and your symptoms sounds severe (though also possibly something else is at play too)

But in the meantime pate is good (or just plain liver if you can stomach it, I can't but I like pate so that's my go-to)

I take a daily spatone and a gentle iron supplement (which boots sell) taken with a meal. I know you're supposed to take them on an empty stomach but that makes me really nauseous.

Try a vegan iron supplement. Very bio available and zero side effects for me. But I can't remember what it is called.

I take Ferrous gluconate, it doesn't upset my stomach like ferrous sulphate/fumarate and your GP can prescribe it. Spatone is also gentle - not very strong, I have double dosed and added it to orange juice.
Iron transfusions are available privately, but cost around £800 😫. Ive never managed to get an NHS one.
I have dizziness when I'm anaemic, although not like you prescribe, putting my head between my legs would make me worse.

My GP doesn't prescribe iron - they say it is cheaper to buy it over the counter.

How low are you for Ferritin, Hgb and Platelets? Have you been referred to a haemotologist to rule anything else out?
I take floradix to keep me topped up. The liquid definitely seems kinder on the stomach.

I also can't tolerate iron supplements, bit of a problem when you're anemic!

I have had infusions in the past which don't affect me the same way as oral supplements. In the past year I've started supplementing with copper; if you're low in copper your body won't absorb the iron from your diet. This is the only thing that has raised my ferritin levels without actually taking iron.

I recommend trying the Feroglobin slow release capsules or floradix capsules. you could also try the Floradix liquid though in my experience it starts to taste quite string after it has been open for a couple of days. Floradix and feroglobin are much gentler on the stomach than generic NHS iron tablets.