Haemoglobin 85 & struggling to tolerate iron tablets

[Miamoo134]

Hey all!

I’ve been coming down with a lot of bugs lately and suffering with a lot of breathlessness and fatigue. Went to the doctors and lo and behold suffering I have iron deficiency anaemia. I was prescribed the 322mg iron tablets and my haemoglobin is 85. They are awful on my stomach. I’m already on omeprazole for my hiatus hernia so that masks all my issues I guess. But the iron is just horrific on my stomach. I suffer with endometriosis and an “adenomyotic uterus” so basically suspected adenomyosis. I am extremely heavy on my cycle. What would the next line of suggestion be do you think from my GP if I can’t tolerate these tablets. Has anyone been through similar? I am feeling so fatigued and out of breath and light headed but with a very active toddler I have to try keep up. Any advice please? I hope there is something more gentle to my stomach and unfortunately based on my symptoms I can’t get a GP appointment until a month to review this situation so I just wondered as I’m struggling to cope with symptoms now. Thank you x

Speak to the pharmacist.

Try some gentle iron. I have seen it in Sainsbury and Holland and Barratt.
I too can’t tolerate prescribed iron tablets but these are good.

Im the same. Buy spatone. Available in most supermarkets. Its liquid iron that you put with orange juice. Much linder on stomach

Eat red meat and liver.

Iron infusion.

I can't tolerate standard otc iron tablets, give me upset stomach and terrible acne, even on half the recommended dose.

I take these https://www.cytoplan.co.uk/wholefood-iron ( currently on 3 for 2)
No ill effects, and whilst I haven't had my iron levels checked, I was fine for blood donation the last few times I went, which isn't always the case.

You should apparently take the iron tablets every other day because when you take it it releases a hormone which blocks iron absorption, so allowing this hormone to drop before taking another tablet 48 hours later increases its absorption. It will also be better for your stomach

If you have been prescribed prescription strength iron please do not go down the route of taking spatone etc that these threads always seem to attract people saying as the iron in them in tiny in comparison. It can actually be dangerous to be suggesting it as someone can end up with life threatening anaemia from not taking their prescribed tablets. (Each sachet of Spatone only provides 5mg of iron)!

I have severe, long term anaemia due to lupus and other autoimmune issues and I take 210mg ferrous fumerate long term. Daily. Yes it does give me stomach issues but having had heart related issues due to anaemia I would honestly rather put up with the stomach issues.

When I was pregnant with both my children I had daily iron injections and transfusions- this is something you could ask about as an alternative.

I would want my hb rechecked asap and unless going up an iron transfusion with those symptoms. Have you rang 111 for advice?

Does your GP have a medicines review team? Mine you can ring up and speak to a pharmacist in the doctor's surgery. If not, speak to the pharmacist who gave you the prescription.

Firstly you will never catch up if your periods are still so heavy. Speak to your GP about tranexamic acid if you haven't already.

Secondly - get a new Hb done, you may be near to having a transfusion and iron infusion

Thirdly - speak to your pharmacist about different iron tablets. There is usually one that is OK. Avoid Spatone - it's gentler because it contains hardly any iron. You would have to take it for years to build up what you have lost.

Just to add - when you says 'can't get a GP appointment this month' are you trying to book an appointment or completing the e-consult?

Booking an appointment is becoming a thing of the past, there are only a few and they are for weeks ahead.

If you complete the e-consult the GP decides on urgency and books the appointments themselves to be on the day, within the week, with specific person etc.
Fill out an e-consult saying what you have posted in your OP, I'd be surprised if they left it a month.

Could you ask for an iron infusion instead of tablets?

If your haemaglobin is this low you are losing huge volumes of blood every month, red meat and over the counter iron tablets are not going to sort this out. You need to sort your periods out and get your life back. Mirena coil? What did your GP say about treating the problem and not just the symptoms? Regular iron infusions are needed whilst the menorrhagia is treated.