Ferrous Sulphate

[Palegreentoast]

I've been struggling with low iron and low folate for a couple of months now. My diet has been quite poor but I've tried to increase my levels through food - this hasn't made any difference.

I've been prescribed Ferrous Sulphate 200mg per day. I've been taking them for about 5 days.

My stomach feels so sore and is really bloated and I get waves of pain in my abdomen.

Has anyone had similar with this drug? I'm feeling really low and teary and completely fatigued. I could just sleep all day.

Haemoglobin is 122 g/l
Ferritin 10 ug/l
Serum iron is 4.2 I'm

@Palegreentoast
I take ferrous sulphate twice a day to raise my platelet levels. When I first started taking it I had stomach cramps and sometimes urgently needed to go to the loo. It turns your poo black, but seems to improve iron & platelet levels.
I think the cramps and pain are maybe your body getting used to the increased iron working it's way through your body.
Hope you feel a bit more 'with it' soon x

My GP prescribed ferrous fumerate . He said it’s gentler on the stomach. I wonder if it’s worth asking if they can change your prescription to that and see if it helps?

Are you taking it on an empty stomach? Taking it with food is less effective but can also reduce side effects.

Hi OP, it's better to take one every second day. Take it first thing with a high strength vitamin C tablet and don't consume anything else for 2hrs. Your body won't absorb it when you take it So frequently. (my GP told me three times a day which when I looked into it, is wrong and not an optimum dose).

I got my ferritin from 16 to 71 in three months doing that.

The evidence on frequency of doses is very mixed and it's not at all clear whether it's best to take multiple a day, one a day, or one every other day.

It is pretty clear that Vitamin C doesn't have any significant effect, as was once thought.

That's really interesting. I suppose it worked wonders for me so I'd recommend it anyway.

My hair stopped falling out, my nails grew again and I could walk up steep hills without feeling faint.

I did also add in transexamic acid for my periods as I was per meno flooding.

Thank you everyone and hopefully it is my body's getting used to the iron. I have been taking it on an empty stomach. I'll see how it goes for the next couple of doses and then I'll ask my gp for the Ferrous alternative and maybe take every other day.