Low iron after having children and being told to stop tablets - help!

[SMLSML]

Anyone else have this issue? Since having children I've had low iron (3rd degree tear with my first and c section with my second so a lot of blood loss) and my iron levels have been low since even (sub 10). I was given ferrous sulphate 200mg and have been feeling a lot better, nowhere near as fatigued, however after 2 months of tablets the doctor is now saying I should be fine and don't need them.

Bear in mind my last three blood tests have shown the level below 10 and it always decreases straight after coming off them. Is there anything I can do on this? Doctor just keeps saying you shouldn't be on them long term but the alternative is feeling crap and knackered all the time... Has anyone been in this position?

Take a supplement every few days and see how you feel?

https://www.boots.com/vitabiotics-feroglobin-capsules-30-capsules-10131412

Have you increased how much iron-rich food you consume?

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You probably need an iron transfusion to give you good reserves but they’re not keen on giving those out to women

No one has ever said to me that they shouldn’t be taken long term. In fact, it can take many months to increase to a good level.
You can buy them over the counter so you could do that, take them for a few more months and request another blood test.
I’ve been on iron for a couple of years now and it has taken so much time to raise my levels.

Have they retested you? Also would recommend taking something gentle once you get back to a ‘normal’ level like the iron water (and take it every day!) it takes something like 6m + to get your iron reserves up. If you are UK you have to be low iron for years before many GPs consider infusion (and there are side effects 😩.

I would change GP if I were you
That's bonkers advice

10 is still very low.
could you buy over the counter for a few months and ask for a retest?

However is there a deeper issue if its still only 10 after a few months taking them?
perhaps gp is concerned it maybe something maybe more serious?

If your ferritin is still only 10 after a couple of months of a strong dose, it would suggest there is an absorption issue?

After losing a lot of blood I found it took about 3 months to get levels to a reasonable level and then another 3 months of tablets to get ferritin levels up.

I hated taking them as they gave me constipation and general stomach ache but it's worth it as I feel so much better generally.

You need another opinion as I have never heard that taking the tablets is a problem in any way and being anaemic is exhausting!

That’s very odd advice from your GP - I’ve been on ferrous sulphate 39 years and have never been told that’s an issue.

You don’t actually need a prescription for them, you can buy over the counter so you can just ignore him!

What number is below 10?

Is it iron or is it ferritin? Do you have transferrin or TIBC?

Iron status is usually a panel of tests not just iron or ferritin. It’s the whole panel that matters.

It sounds low but the full picture would help.

I would change GP if I were you
That's bonkers advice

Have you had your ferritin checked since being on the tablets? That’s probably a good starting point. If your ferritin is ok and you’re not anaemic, it’s seems reasonable to stop them for a bit, maybe with a repeat blood test in a few months to make sure you’re not becoming iron deficient again.

Something else to think about is why your levels keep dropping. Are you losing blood somewhere? Heavy periods? If so it would be worth approaching your GP for some treatment.