Diarrhoea and stomach upset after taking iron tablets

[northlondonchoclover]

Started taking iron tablets yesterday after being diagnosed as borderline anaemic. Currently 33 weeks pregnant. Doctor did say, eat loads of prunes because I will be constipated, but it looks like I've won the other prize and getting diarrhoea instead. Should I continue eating the tablets or go back to the doctor to ask for a different form of iron?

good morning northlondonchoclover at the begining of this pregnancy i was really badly constipated and doc said i was anaemic, i was terrified of taking the pills incase it made 'going' more difficult and put it off for a week. finally did take them. i was overjoyed to find out that the tablets had actually made it easier to go. iv heard it alot on here to that some women find it easier. you can boost your iron intake naturally, my mw has suggested floradix i got mine from h&b. ask your mw first though incase there is some reason you cant take it. diarrhoea on the other hand, not nice, could it be because you've only just started taking them or have you taken a few now? i think it will settle down.

They have the same effect on me too. Dark brown cow pats!!

I don't know if other forms of iron supplements have the same effect, but I would advise you to be careful if you become low on iron after you've given birth. Loose stools and a weakened pelvic floor are a really bad combination!!!

I'd give it a few more days. I'm 38 weeks and have been on iron for anaemia for 3 weeks.
the first week I felt sick half an hour after taking them and suffered badly with constipation, but now 3 weeks later everything has settled down and I'm having no symptoms as a result of them (apart from black poo !!

I had that reaction to iron. And it was Spatone, which is supposed to be really nice and mild. Looked it up on the manufacturer's website cos I had assumed that I'd get constipation, not the other. But, no, the list of side effects included both constipation and having the entire universe falling out of your bum . If it is manageable, I'd give it a day or so, and if it doesn't settle then go back. But if you are going many times in one day, or it is utterly miserable for you, then go back ASAP. In the meantime, make sure you're drinking enough. You don't want to have prolonged and significant diarrhoea when you are preggers - will leave you at risk of dehydration and your electrolytes going out of whack. Hope you feel better XX

I had the same when prescribed iron tablets in pregnancy. I called the doctor as like you I was expecting constipation rather than diarrhoea. He said it can have an effect either way, and offered to try me on a different form of iron but said it might settle down by itself. I gave it a few days and it got a lot better, so maybe it will for you, but there are other things you can try if it doesn't.

My ferritin was ridiculously low so I wanted to stay on the tablets, but since its reached a normal level I've been taking Spatone so it doesn't dip again. If you're only borderline then Spatone might be enough for you?

If you're only borderline you could maybe get away with reducing the dose and eating lots of iron rich food (talk to your GP/MW).

I got through 2 pregnancies using Spatone to keep iron levels up. It really works for me with no side effects (and I think is on 3 for 2 this week in boots!).

I've just been put back on low dose iron tabs and am monitoring side effects but I think it'll be Spatone for me again before long!

I have problems like this with iron so took just the daily amount - 14 units rather than the bigger amounts (28 units plus) the iron preparation have.

the best advice I had when I was taking iron tablets was to take them with fruit juice and never a cup of tea as tea stops them being absorbed properly. I wish someone had told me earlier as it made so much difference
HTH

I tried the usual iron tablets which caused loose stools and a bad stomach, then tried to take iron medicine in a liquid form which was disgusting to take and made matters worse. I have now found that Spatone does agree with me and so will stick with this till the baby is born on the 15th Nov. Failing this for anyone else the consultant advised all i could do was to make sure i was eating iron rich food and drinking plenty of fruit jusice but not grape juice.
Good luck with bringing up yuor iron level.
:)

Thanks ladies, for the advice. I started taking more red meat after the first blood test some time ago and also orange juice but haemoglobin levels was still borderline at the most recent blood test. Took another tablet this morning and feeling ok so far. I will persevere. It's funny in a way since I was expecting to be constipated but turned out totally opposite! Ate quite a few prunes too yesterday hahaha..