Low iron - how long until you felt better on transonic acid?

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I’ve been on iron tablets (ferrous sulphate) since November and tranexamic acid since March. I have been nauseous for ages and get sick, presumably as a result of low iron? I’ve managed to get my ferritin up to 18 now. However, on the days I take my tranexamic acid, I am even more sick and pretty dizzy. The tranexamic acid has decreased my blood flow a lot during my period (I was flooding and can now manage with just one san towel at a time at night), so must be helping with my ferritin. If I stop, my ferritin will likely go back down again. If you have been in a similar situation, how long until you felt better? How long until the tranaxemic acid and iron tablets made a tangible difference? Also, is there a limit to how long you should take iron tablets for? I feel so utterly, utterly rubbish and just want a bit of energy at least on some days, for a bit even, rather than feeling like I’m wading through cement on my ‘better’ days.

I was on iron tablets 3 x a day permanently for 15 years due to heavy periods, along with tranexamic acid. They only stopped being prescribed once I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago.

It could be the iron tablets causing nausea.

My iron still went low even after hysterectomy so now I buy high strength iron bisglycinate after seeing a midwife on here recommend it. It has better bioavailability, less gastrointestinal side effects, and my iron is now finally higher than when I was on prescription iron (44!).

Iron increases quicker if you take iron tablets on alternative days, rather than every day. The explanation makes makes sense if you Google it, but I can’t remember it off the top of my head.

When having periods my ferritin was up at a maximum of 22, but tranexamic acid didn’t work as well for me as you (up changing pads and superplus tampons 4x a night and every 40 mins during the day!). Have you been investigated for fibroids or anything or had your thyroid checked? Thyroid issues can cause horrendous periods, and tiredness.

Your iron is still pretty low tbh, a lot of women feel better 50+ and healthy hair growth needs it to be above 70. Drs generally recheck levels after 3 months but it took around 5/6 months for me. if you’ve been taking tranexamic since March and it’s still only 18 you might be in for a long slog I’m afraid.

I hope you feel better soon

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I’ve had quite a drastic change on the bleeding front and it’s nice not to be going through multi packs of maternity towels and numerous bed sheets. I’ve had the nausea for a few years now though, so don’t think it’s the iron tablets that are causing it. I’m so glad your iron is finally higher. Are you feeling noticeably better?Fifteen years on tablets first though with little impact. Were you offered any other help?

I’m not sure what bioavailability is, but less gastro side effects sounds good. I will try to get hold of some bisglycinate - I think anything that can bump my iron up a bit will make such a difference, so thank you, I really appreciate the suggestion. Is it best to take that every other day too? I’ve always had heavy periods, leakage etc, but they’ve got much worse and heavier and clotty in recent years. I was diagnosed with adenomyosis a couple of years ago as a result.

I get knocked out by repeated viruses now as a gift from a covid infection. I then get secondary infections which I have to take antibiotics for - I don’t know if that plays any part in iron absorption. I have kids in school, so continual viruses are par for the course, (more so with the “turn up even if you feel like shit but come and make others ill before we send you back home again so we can tick the attendance box” mentality which has rocketed in the last few years). I do wear a mask in medical settings, public transport etc, so can reduce risk a bit.

tranexamic acid can work a treat for the bleeding but is well known to cause nausea and dizzines/weird flushing feelings. You see it a lot when it's given IV quickly - supposed to be less of an issue taken orally usually. Not sure there's anything useful that might reduce that - may be worth asking about having an anti-emetic to take when you're on the txa if those are the days it's worst?

My DH had very low iron and was prescribed ferrous sulphate which made his guts really bad and because of that didn’t really end up helping. I got him these from H&B

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-gentle-iron-capsules-20mg-6100156285?skuid=060280&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=pmax&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21164724210&gbraid=0AAAAAD96OoLTW5raRlFEzvabyjMU8g967&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm93DBhD_ARIsADR_DjEUYtLpJUzVNjIosKv-s2-jgb8OZcmM7E3IGCQKFcl5SQxWVRMgaToaAltcEALw_wcB

and they really helped. He could tolerate them and his iron is much better.

I too tranexamic acid for 3 months until I couldn’t tolerate it anymore as it made me feel so awful. Managed to get my iron up a bit in that time and have now switched to wild nutrition iron which doesn’t have the side effects. I take it last thing at night to aid absorption.

My periods are lighter than they were before taking the acid although not as light as when I was taking it - but overall much more manageable. Hoping if I continue with the iron that this will improve even more.

good luck!