Low Iron - taking galfer for 4 weeks - still exhausted - is it working?

[BarbieLovesKen]

The title pretty much says it all. My GP told me my booking in bloods were showing that I had low iron so retook them at 24 weeks and yes, have low blood count and low iron.

Have been taking one galfer tablet per day from about week 25 and am 29 weeks tomorrow. Am absolutely exhausted - to a point that Im getting concerned, Im getting more and more tired each day. Blood will be rechecked at 32 week check apparantly. Does anyone know what happens if levels havent came back up? nothing I presume? I was sure that it would have worked by now. Any advice?

I had a post partum haeomarrage when ds was 8 weeks old (hes now 14 months) and am wondering would this make any difference.

Thank you so much for reading.

I had low iron levels and was prescribed tablets. Had another blood test the other day, and my levels have apparently gone down since I started my tablets. They've given me more of the same tablets to take, but a bit concerned about what happens if they don't go up. I'm now 34 weeks...

Hi they will continue with tablets unless your levels drop below 7 in which case addmittance and transfusions, which are not that bad and fetch your levels up quick. But levels that low are rare and when mine were I would be stood up and faint, unconscious for 10 minutes, and was unable to leave my bed. But baby was unharmed. What were your levels?

Ditch the tablets and start taking liquid iron - Floradix is a good one! Unfortunately, it's not available on the NHS. Liquid iron is absorbed far more easily by the body, partly because there is no need for it to be broken down by digestion.
Hope this helps!

Here is a link for you:
www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk/article/liquid_iron

CaringforPod thanks for that, at least I know Im not going mad now. Hope levels come up for you soon.

God Crawling that sounds terrible! you poor thing! I dont actually know my levels they are definately not anywhere that low though!.

Phonix thats very kind, thanks for taking the time to post the info. Was thinking of spa tone in orange juice (as I've heard iron is better absorbed with vitamin c) but spa tone is far too weak IMO. Will look into floradix. Thanks

Yes, you should definitely take your iron tablets/liquid with orange juice. Vitamin C is needed in order to absorb the iron properly.

I second phonix advice about liquid iron, it made me feel better much quicker than tablets.
You can get it most places i.e boots/ holland and barrett etc.
Hope you feel better soon.

I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant. Even though I've been taking Pregnacare daily, which I think contains 15mg of iron, my blood results came back last week slightly low. Went straight to my local health food shop and bought "SOLGAR non-constipating Iron 20mg" 90 vegi caps for £8.50. I've been taking 3 capsules a day with a seperate vit C tablet and my energy levels have already increased massively.

Holland and Barrat do not stock SOLGAR vitamins, you normally find this brand in independent health food shops.

AND... as it says on the label, they do not constipate you !!

spa tone always worked for me