Iron

[DeathMetalMum]

I had a call from my MW end of last week saying my iron levels were boarderline and reccomending iron supplememnts, no surprise as this happend at the same stage in my first pregnancy. I'm ringing my GP's to see if the perscription is there tomorrow but if it isnt I want to buy a supplement for the next few days as I do feel exhausted anyone used one during pregnancy or reccomend a brand? Im third trimester 29 weeks.

I used spatone as heard that the ones prescribed had bad side effects. You mix a liquid sachet with fruit juice and drink. It tastes disgusting, like blood but got my levels back up and didnt get any bad side affects. They arent cheap i think about a tenner for 2 weeks worth.

A cautionary word about Spatone - I had borderline low iron levels around 29/30 weeks too, and just bought some Spatone as thought that would be sufficient (and took 2 sachets a day). Then in recent weeks (am now 37 weeks) I was showing even more symptoms of anaemia and was retested and found to be significantly more anaemic (levels down from 10.7 to 9.8)

I'm now on 3 x Ferrous Sulphate tablets a day - not very nice to take but frankly I am now shitting myself re my iron levels as they are so low.

I am not entirely sure about comparing the ingredients like for like between Spatone and the tablets but I would appear to be taking in a LOT more iron now.

The ferrous sulphate tablets I am taking can be bought over the counter at the pharmacy - they could probably advise you while you are waiting for your prescription.

Good luck with rising iron levels!

Hi

I also had low iron levels at approx 30 weeks, I was prescribed ferrous sulphate tablets but didn't want to take the three a day due to constipation side effects so I took spa tone every day for 2 weeks and just one of the tablets, my iron levels went back up and I had no nasty side effects. I also upped my red meat and iron rich food intake to help also. Good luck.

X

I'm on ferrous fumerate which really help my tiredness, not sure if they have to be prescribed, but it's worth waiting so you don't have to pay

I was just borderline too. You do have to avoid taking them with milk (inc cereal) and tea though - they gave me horrendous heartburn, which I already had! So I started taking 2 after lunch and then 1 before bed, washed down with loads of water & gaviscon.

I hadn't heard of ferrous fumerate before! Dr Google suggests it can be bought over the counter, and has less side effects than the sulphate tablets.

Strangely enough, despite the anaemia, I haven't suffered any major tiredness during this pregnancy (am 41, and worked a 40 hour week with 10 hours a week of commuting on top until 36 weeks). I did start to get a racing heart though, which is what alerted the MW to retesting my iron levels.

I have also just read that chocolate has iron in it so have stuffed a handful of Thornton's finest. Every little helps, as they say...

I´m on ferrus fumerate also. It has helped me a lot. First couple of days got a bit constipated tho but now feeling better than ever. Take them with orange juice, it helps your body to absorb iron. xxx