Taking iron when you have IBS

[seathewayahead]

Ferritin level is 7, other bloods suggest anaemia so need to take iron tablets. But taking iron tablets also gives me an upset stomach. Not sure if the iron I took last year caused the ongoing IBS flare up but after months of issues they did some stool tests. The QFIT test has come back as 55 to its referral to hospital — while I wait for that and some kind of “oscopy” in the meantime I’ve got to get iron levels up but drinking OJ and taking a tablet on an empty tummy first thing doesn’t help. Any suggestions of when better to Take the tablets? I’m trying to a different kind of tablet which is slow release.

@seathewayahead I permanently have low iron and I also Ibs and diverticulitis I'm not able to take tablets as I get terrible stomach pain and constipation.
What I do is I take spatone (liquid iron) every second day and try to eat iron rich foods like fortified cereal, watercress hummus etc (vegetarian)
A doctor told me a couple of years ago iron tablets/ liquid works better at getting your iron up taken every second day.. maybe try a liquid iron or spray every second day and see how you go

Vegetarian with IBS and previously low iron here.

My GP also said only to take an iron tablet every other day. My iron levels have more than tripled since I started following his advice six months ago.

AFAIK the tablets don’t have to be taken on an empty stomach, just not within two hours of eating dairy, tea, coffee or eggs, and preferably with orange juice/citrus fruit. That’s NHS advice and how I take them, eating other things at the same time to help my tum.

However, looking for links to answer your question, I did find this which does mention an empty stomach.

I cant take iron tablets so use the Better You spray. It has got my levels up, and no tummy upset. Worth a try? Boots and superdrug sell it too, plus their own website (I use their Vit D and B12 sprays too).
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/betteryou-iron-daily-oral-spray-60032969

I take spatone (liquid iron) in orange juice. I refuse to take the pills even though I get prescribed them every time im pregnant.. because the side effects from the pills in terms of ibs are worse than the actual anemia tbh..

The liquid iron is much gentler and more easily absorbed. They contain a bit less iron than the pills but its more easily absorbed and you are able to take them longer term... so I really prefer them to the tablets

Thanks all. Apparently the spatone is really low in iron so the tablets are preferable. I’m wondering if I can take them in the evening? Does anyone know if it has to be morning.

Spatone is lower in iron because it is absorbed more easily. You can also take 2 sachets of it and it has vit c in it to aid absorption. A lot of the iron I iron tablets is not actually absorbed by your body, hence there being so much iron in them!

Also, remember to avoid caffeine when taking iron as it stops your body absorbing it. (Sorry, if you already are aware of this.)

I had an iron infusion as I just couldn't take tablets and nothing else improved my iron levels.

I had an infusion as the iron tablets irritated my stomach and reflux too much. It was pretty quick about 30minutes and they gave me a big dose, no stomach issues from that

I don’t see why you can’t take them in the evening, just take them at least a couple of hours before you go to bed.

The information leaflet on my bottle doesn’t say anything about time of day.

You need to leave a 2 hour gap between taking iron and drinking tea or coffee. Also on the Spatone packet it advises to take it on an empty stomach.