Iron supplements casue weight gain???

[Flowerpower70]

I was severly anaemic a few months ago and had to have a blood transfusion an iron infusions and on iron tablets. re: heavy periods. Now taking tranexamic acid to stop heavy periods.
Do iron supplements cause weight gain as have put approxiamtelya stone on since then...

They shouldn’t (from my non medical knowledge). I find I pile weight on when I’m anaemic because I’m so tired my body craves energy/crap food. Although, it may improve your general absorption of nutrients so maybe that’s why?

Ahh great point i was very anaemic and feel a lot better now and agree it could be better blood flow / nutrient absorbtion and muscle gain as defintely feel more solid on bum and legs. Feel bloated but maybe because i have ovarian cyst thats 9cm low CA125 count but watch and wait at moment.
I was veggie but had to change my diet to incorporate meat and more vitamin c as I was so anaemic I was really ill. Haemaglobin 40. had to have units of blood so thought may as well eat meat now..

I’ve been told I can never be veggie (although veggies tell me I can - they seem very naive about ferritin levels and anaemia. I eat a lot of green veg because I like it but it just doesn’t do the job for me).

If you’ve recently changed your diet it’s more likely to be that.

This is interesting about having to stop being veggie. Can I ask who suggested it? Veggie DH is having an iron tranfusion this week and I concerned about him being veggie but it’s not something he would change if I suggested it.

I've been taking iron supplements for a while because I was anaemic in the past. I think I gained weight because of hormonal changes; I'm perimenopausal.

My GP suggested meat before, but I only eat chicken. I get iron from tofu, beans, etc, and I eat vitamin C foods with them to help absorption.

I've been taking iron and haven't gained weight.
Keep an eye on those ovarian symptoms. CA25 is not a very reliable test. When did you last get cyst checked with ultrasound?

In February 2026 with ultrasound the consultant saud they appear to be simple cysts..

They 100% do not cause weight gain.

Haematologist said because I'm blood type o it would be a good idea to be meat eater

I always thought they did yes. Maybe it's just a myth then? I seem to remember putting on a few pounds every time I took iron tablets.

That was debunked ages ago wasn’t it?

I am blood type O, was vegetarian, now vegan for 20 years and have never been anaemic, even in pregnancy, after childbirth and with heavy periods in peri menopause.

Oh my periods are so heavy so currently under the care of gynae. So heavy a maxi pad full in 30 mins but have a bleeding haem disorder that is being investigated

I'm sure i do every time i take them a few pounds on...

Txa can cause bloating. It comes off straight afterwards though. Water retention probably.

Sorry, meant to add that whilst taking txa I couldn't do my jeans up by a good few inches. I was soon back in them though once I'd finished the course.

At first I thought it was due to an increased appetite but I'm currently on iron tablets and dieting which I've managed fine without craving food (actually losing any weight is super hard though!) so maybe not. Iron tablets also messed up my periods last year and they're not meant to do that either.