How quickly does iron help with anaemia?

[pipoca]

Hi,

I'm 28 weeks with number two and at my last bloods was told I was anaemic. Not very, 10.9, but people had been commenting on how pale I was for a couple of weeks before and I had been suddenlñy really tired. I put it down to having a 3 yr old and hyperemesis (controlled mostly by meds but still sick from time to time)but my midwife says the tiredness is almost certainly the anaemia.

I've been prescribed iron in a liquid and wondered if anyone had any experience of how quickly you feel the benefits of the iron, when will I feel less tired?

Ta. xx

I was very anaemic after the birth of DS, and the effect was quite quick as far as I remember - just a couple of hours from being unable to stand up without collapsing to walking about unaided. Shame the tablets gave me diarrhoea!

Certainly a couple of days but I felt a difference by the end of the day

Sorry about your hyperemesis. Have you tried Spatone. Much better than prescription iron IME. I felt a lot better really quickly.

Actually according to UK guidelines 10.9 at 28 weeks is not considered anaemic, the guidelines state a hb of 10.5 or below is considered anaemia so I don't know why mw has labelled you anaemic.
If you do feel tired and want an iron boost then I will second spatone as it has none of the nasty side effects of other iron preperations.
Iron tablets/liquid will normally raise hb in about 2-3 weeks.

2-3 weeks! Was hoping to feel better quicker. She said I was "a bit anaemic". Can't get spatone as I live in Spain.

Are you sure you can't get it shipped to Spain via Amazon or Boots or something?

also been feeling quite weepy, which I assume is the anaemia. I was very anaemic once, long ago (not pg) and was really tearful all the time then, burst into tears at the drop of a hat. this feels similar but not so extreme.

You should feel better quite quickly, I know I did.
Anaemia is just horrid, hope you feel better soon.
I second getting spatone shipped over, I'm sure Amazon would be a good place to look?

also, is it worth getting some pg vitamins to help with absorption and general health?

It takes the body 6 weeks to produce new red blood cells so I usually advise about this long for iron suppliments to work. An iron rich diet (eaten with vitamin C to help the body absorb it) will certainly help too. In a way it doesn't matter if your Hb is 10.9 or 6.9, if you are symptomatic you need to address it. 28 weeks is the low point for iron stores in pregnancy (due to haemodilution) so you should start to feel better soon either way.

Actually it only takes 5-7 days to produce new red cells,
here from the national anaemia council
"In order to correct anemia, your body must manufacture new red blood cells to replace those that were lost. It takes about 5-7 days to start developing red blood cells which should increase hemoglobin levels within 2-3 weeks of starting iron supplementation. Therapeutic doses of iron (50-60 mg of oral elemental iron twice daily) should increase hemoglobin levels by 0.7-1.0 g/dL per week. You may need to continue to take an iron supplement for several months in order to build up iron stored in your body and prevent anemia from returning."

I hope you feel better soon.

Watching with interest as I am just thirteen weeks but have been prescribed iron tablets for anaemia which makes sense as I have been feeling tired, faint and run down for a while now. Started taking them today and there has already been ern, movement!

I was anaemic prior to being pregnant, I was put on ferrous fumarate three times daily and found that by day two I had an increase in energy levels and was feeling less faint/giddy.

I've had 2 lots of iron now and feel a bit better, but maybe that's psychological?

I'd like to add my vote for Spatone, much better than the iron tablets (which really upset my stomach).

Amazon sell it You'd have to look into shipping costs though.

generally, if you take ferrous sulphate 200mg (= 65mg ferreous iron)three times a day, it will bring your iron level up by 1g/dl (one point) after one week(ish)
So, in theory, by taking it for a week you would go from 10.9 to 11.9 in a week.

Im not sure of the strength of iron you are taking - basically it takes a while to feel full benefits from it

Dont take iron with your cup of tea as this prevents absorption. Take it with a glass of orange juice instead