Iron Supplementation

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nutcracker · 19/02/2004 23:00

I'm sure i only ever took one a day.

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twiglett · 19/02/2004 23:04

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hana · 19/02/2004 23:06

I've been taking Sanatogen pronatal tablets for a while now and the iron content in each tablet is 60mg - 400mg sounds a lot, but if you are anaemic and need the iron, I guess that's why it's so high. But 60mg is also listed as 429% of the RDA. Can you talk to your GP about why it's so high?

hana · 19/02/2004 23:07

twiglett - makes my sister the 'other way' too! She is doing a test and not taking the pills for 2 weeks to see if that's the reason ( but she's not preg yet)

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twiglett · 19/02/2004 23:08

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twiglett · 19/02/2004 23:09

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sweetkitty · 19/02/2004 23:16

I'm on the Sanatogen pro natal as well so echo what hana says sorry. Maybe ask the doc or MW next time you see them if you're concerned.

stace · 20/02/2004 08:10

Hi, just thought i'd join this conversation, im 15 week preg and this is my second time. Last time i was really low in iron and took Floradix which is an iron and vitamins and herbs thingy and as im under a lot of stress right now they suggested that i start them straight away. I now listen to my body and if i feel knackered after lunch take another one and it perks me up. I try not to take 3 a day because of the constipation. Pack says 60mg iron so check it out with the doc and listen to your own body and mind!!!

HiddenSpirit · 20/02/2004 09:51

hi twiglett, I've just had a look at my ferrous sulphate and the Dr has prescibed me a 200mg dose, 3 times a day! I'm not pregnant and only borderline anaemic, so by sounds of things it could be right

I would say if you have any queries, phone your Dr surgery and ask to speak to a doctor regarding your prescription. They should put you through to a doctor (Dr may have to phone back if they're with a patient) and they will be able to tell you that yes it's correct or no the dose is too high

mears · 20/02/2004 10:04

That is a normal dose Twiglett for the treatment of anaemia. It is not just a supplement.If you get constipated then try just one a day. If you only sarted off with an Hb of 10.2 there is a good chance it is pretty low.
Also try and have a citrus drink with your meals to aid the absorption of iron.

mears · 20/02/2004 10:04

That is a normal dose Twiglett for the treatment of anaemia. It is not just a supplement.If you get constipated then try just one a day. If you only sarted off with an Hb of 10.2 there is a good chance it is pretty low.
Also try and have a citrus drink with your meals to aid the absorption of iron.

mears · 20/02/2004 10:04

That is a normal dose Twiglett for the treatment of anaemia. It is not just a supplement.If you get constipated then try just one a day. If you only sarted off with an Hb of 10.2 there is a good chance it is pretty low.
Also try and have a citrus drink with your meals to aid the absorption of iron.

kiwisbird · 20/02/2004 10:08

Go to health food shop and buy spatone, its iron rich mineral water sachets, no side effects like constipation easier absorbed and easy to take! Got my iron count back up in 5 days when I was preggers

mears · 20/02/2004 10:10

Spatone is good and gentler on stomach.

Marina · 20/02/2004 10:55

Twiglett, I go the other way on iron too and found it impossible to take as ferrous sulphate. I found Floradix more digestible.

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twiglett · 20/02/2004 11:53

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stace · 20/02/2004 15:00

good to take the citrus to help the absorption also really important to stay away from Tannin (tea and coffee) as they kill off the iron i was told!!!

Slinky · 20/02/2004 15:33

That was the same as me when I was pregnant with DD2.

My Hb level was already under 10 when I was newly pregnant with DD2, so started on Ferrous Sulphate almost immediately.

I had 200mg to be taken morning and evening - like you had no problems with constipation although my morning sickness was a LOT worse with DD2.

Good point from Stace - make sure you take them with fruit juice - not when you have your tea/coffee!

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twiglett · 20/02/2004 21:23

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Slinky · 20/02/2004 21:33

ooh yes!

My morning sickness with No 3 was a LOT worse than the other 2 - I just put it down to the pregnancy.

However, thinking about it afterwards I felt sick most days - stopped being sick after about 18 weeks. I can't remember if you're supposed to take the iron tablets on an empty stomach or not, but I know I couldn't tolerate them if I hadn't eaten, so used to take them after I'd eaten my breakfast and after my dinner in the evening.

HiddenSpirit · 21/02/2004 00:32

twiglett your vomiting could have been due to coughing fit (depending how bad it was) as this happened with me when I was pregnant with DS2. I also managed to make myself puke by just brushing my teeth (put toothbrush too far back in mouth!)

I know that wasn't down to the ferrous sulphate as I hadn't even been prescribed them then. Hope whatever route you decide to go, be it the ferrous sulphate or spatone, that you feel better for remainder of your pregnancy

stace · 21/02/2004 08:58

almost definetly not the iron thats making you sick, i was sick ALL the way through DS1 but didnt start the iron till about 5 months in. Any one else have severe diarohea if they dont take the iron?

harman · 21/02/2004 09:05

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