Alternatives to prescription iron supplements

[SparklySwan]

DH is on Ferrous Fumerate tablets following open heart surgery. He is getting some unpleasant side effects and I was wondering whether to move him onto more expensive non-prescription supplements.
Can anyone recommend anything they’ve taken?

He needs to tell his medical team. And together they decide whether to treat symptoms, eg laxatives or whatever, or try a different iron formulation.

What are the side effects?

You can’t decide that!!!!! He’s had heart surgery for goodness sake. He needs to speak to his surgeon or GP.

Is he taking them daily? There is some evidence (the study was in women) that taking alternate days leads to less success effects with better absorption.
Taking alongside vitamin c is also helpful.

I found ferroglobin and spatone better than prescribed supplements which upset my stomach. Does he have a cardiac nurse you could ask they are often very good at practical follow up?

As an alternative a plate of beef liver cooked in butter. No prescription needed. To repair, the body needs a good supply of easily available nutrients, so liver and onions for lunch and steak and broccoli for dinner.
Best wishes and hope he has a speedy recovery!

The non-prescription ones are easier as they contain so little iron!

He needs to contact his GP as it may be possible for him to have a lower dose, for example if he was told to have it 3 times a day, or to have a different formulation - but still prescription strength.

Try every other day or ask for ferric maltol from the gp instead. Over the counter iron won't be good enough.