Low iron, feel rubbish, any tips?

[PastaFasool]

I have had a couple of blood tests showing that I have low iron (one was when I tried to donate blood about a month ago, booked follow up blood tests with GP). Results on NHS App confirm that my iron is low, even after a couple of weeks taking supplements.

Because it's not urgent, GP appointment to discuss isn't for a couple of weeks. However I feel rubbish, just knackered all the time. Any advice on things I can do until I see GP? I am taking an OTC iron supplement (15mg) washed down with apple juice. DH is going to pick up beef mince for tea tonight. Eating raisins, going to have kale and sausages on Sunday.

Anything else I can do?!? I get so knackered and tired.

can you not try to get a quicker appointment? Low iron levels can be eg period related or can be because your body is having issues absorbing iron as opposed to you not putting enough in if you know what I mean. As an aside I’d also suggest something like steak as opposed to sausages if that possible. Sorry amn’t much help

You need a proper iron supplement like Ferrous Sulphate 200mg, one alternate days. You can buy them OTC.

And it takes weeks to get better, doubt you would notice anything from 2 weeks of v small supplementation.

OP. I did the following to get my ferritin from 16 (scale was 13-290) up to 71 (scale had changed 10-150).

One ferrous sulphate 200mg with one high strength vitamin C tablet. I took this at 5am (when I get up for work) and consumed nothing else for 2hrs. Then I'd have my coffee at 7am on the school run.

I took this every 48hrs. You can only absorb so much iron in a 48hr period.

It absolutely works. But you have to be disciplined. Set a reminder in your phone.

As you are only having one tablet, you don't get constipated either.

This is what I take.

Thanks folks. My haemoglobin was low when I went to give blood, although that was first day of period. The GP blood tests showed low ferritin, I think it's 20 when the normal range is 100-310. I will see if I can pick up some OTC ferrous sulphate.

@stayathomer unfortunately not possible to get in sooner, I was lucky to get that as a cancellation appointment!

@PastaFasool you need to buy it from the pharmacy counter.

I've suffered with iron issues since teen years...thanks to endometriosis.
I was told by my doctor that 15mg isn't enough. I was out on a prescription of 200mg 4x a day for 6 weeks and then 200mg daily from then on. My iron has been fine ever since that.
You can buy ferrous fumerate 200mg tablets online (way cheaper than prescription)

Ferrous fumerate gave me less gastro issues, sulphate gave me a lot of constipation. Also agree with the vit c also