Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Anaemic - can't tolerate ferrous sulphate

20 replies

Nickname1980 · 16/12/2013 11:55

Hello! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and found out that I'm anaemic a few weeks ago. I was prescribed ferrous sulphate and have been taking it, plus Spatone, for the last two weeks.

But I really can't tolerate the ferrous sulphate! It makes me feel sick and constipated (sorry for the over-share!). I have tried taking it with prune juice, but that doesn't help. The ferrous sulphate has turned my happy pregnancy into a fairly grumpy one.

If I stop taking ferrous sulphate and just stick with Spatone twice a day instead, will I be doing my baby or myself any harm?

Or does anyone know of anything else I can take?

My iron levels were 7 when I was tested two weeks ago.

OP posts:

quackojuliet · 16/12/2013 12:11

Apologies don't know about supplements as was going to suggest spatone which I see you're already taking.
May not be relevant but I've heard that coffee and tea within 2 hours of ingesting iron means it isn't absorbed as well,so if you're drinking those you might want to space out from your supplements.
Just thought of that as I drink a tea. Someone else will have better advice I'm sure!

melmo26 · 16/12/2013 12:20

Hi I was anaemic with all 4 of my dds. I couldn't tolerate the iron tabs either. I was meant to take 4 a day but within 10 mins of taking it I would vomit. I ended up not taking it at all but I'm not advising that. Speak to your MW or GP about other ones as they can give you other types that might work better.

TwentyTinyToes · 16/12/2013 12:24

Speak to your midwife or gp, you may be able to try something else. My sister is anemic and has had several different types from her gp, all made her sick so in the end she had an infusion at hospital. She tolerated that ok and her iron levels have picked up finally.

mamakoukla · 16/12/2013 12:25

Ferrous gluconate is meant to be better tolerated than ferrous sulphate but always check with GP/MW/pharmacist first.

Iron absorption is helped by either the citric acid or ascorbic acid (think it is the vit C, so the latter) so perhaps have an orange or similar with it. Yes to pp about no tea or coffee; certain plants/ veg also interfere with uptake (sorry for being unhelpful with this but cannot remember off the top of my head)

msvee · 16/12/2013 12:26

Hi im anaemic and have been taking feroglobin a liquid iron and mineral supplement. Taste very nice and doesn't cause constipation. Its less than four pounds and suitable for pregnant women.

Pinkbell123 · 16/12/2013 12:26

I'm anaemic too and have taken ferrous sulphate in the past with the same side effects. My midwife has just prescribed ferrous fumerate which is supposed to be better. I pick up the tablets today so fingers crossed.

Original poster

Nickname1980 · 16/12/2013 16:09

Thanks everyone! I have a midwife appointment on Thursday and I'll ask her about ferrous fumerate and let you know if it's any better in case you guys are also interested!

OP posts:

cakeandcustard · 16/12/2013 16:28

I've got ferrous fumarate liquid, the liquid is much gentler on the stomach. I can't take the fer. sulphate tablets either. I take it with a glass of OJ & have attempted to wean myself off tea (down to one cup a day ). I've also been advised to avoid milk or indigestion meds 2 hours either side of the iron.

Not sure how good spatone is for anaemia, I looked at the dose and I think the spatone had something like 5mg iron in whereas I was prescribed 180mg!

lovelilies · 16/12/2013 16:55

I'm on ferrous fumarate, no side effects except black (and slightly softer) poo

AuntieStella · 16/12/2013 17:11

You could try Floradix (ferrous gluconate).

It got my hb levels back up to normal between between blood donation sessions (had been rejected last time for too low, but accepted this time).

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 16/12/2013 21:47

I can't normally tolerate iron tabs either but I'm also in 3rd trimester and anaemia so I've been prescribed ferrous fumerate. I was dreading taking them but I find taking one straight after breakfast then one straight after my evening meal with orange juice doesn't give me any unpleasant side effects. I know absorption is better on an empty tummy but this has been my compromise and it seems to be working so I'm going to continue this way.

If you are taking an over the counter antacid such as zantac/ranitidine be careful because it will really hinder iron absorption, as does tea and coffee.

I second Spa Tone as its worked really well for me in the past but because I was taking zantac I wasn't absorbing the iron so that's why I'm now on the iron tabs.

FionasFatFairy · 17/12/2013 23:00

I actually had the opposite problem with my last pregnancy, my irons levels were so high I nearly had to be treated to reduce the iron levels.

Mamkoukla is correct, drink orange juice to increase absorption of iron. Apricots are rich in iron, or eat spinach, it does work.

Also, my cousin who is severely anaemic was told to drink a small glass f red wine each day while pregnant for the iron.

F1onajb · 19/12/2013 15:35

I was diagnosed with anaemia 10 days ago and the doctor has given me ferrous fumate as he said they had less side effects than the ferrous sulphate. I have one twice a day with a glass of fresh orange juice as they are absorbed better with vitamin c apparently.

I am so tired though. I'm 31 +4 and have been signed off work until the new year. Told to get plenty of rest. Been in bed all day today. Just got no energy and feel so drained. Don't feel as though the tablets are working yet although they can take up to 2 weeks to kick in. Hope to feel better soon.

Dusty04 · 19/12/2013 20:46

I'm taking ferrous fumerate too and had no problems with it (been taking it 10 weeks so far). I was told not to take with milk so tend to have porridge, wait 2 hours then take the tablet. Orange juice helps to absorb it.

Midwife also told me not to use gaviscon when taking the tablets as this affects the absorption, so make sure there's a gap between.

dizhin79 · 20/12/2013 01:05

another vote for floradix here, that and orange juice

Original poster

Nickname1980 · 05/01/2014 19:34

Thank you for your advice! I have followed some of it.

I am now taking one spatone with orange juice in the morning, and a spoonful of liquid ferrous fumarate in the evening (galfer). I have no bad side-effects from that, which is great!

Don't know if my levels have improved or not yet though.

OP posts:

Hawkmoth · 05/01/2014 19:36

Isn't Galfer vile? I love how it's supposed to be Mint Chocolate flavoured.

Original poster

Nickname1980 · 05/01/2014 19:41

Hawkmoth - yep galfer tastes vile! And I read it can blacken teeth, too :s I brush right after taking it to prevent that!

OP posts:

Hawkmoth · 05/01/2014 20:16

I had to stop taking it as even that upset my stomach, but certainly the best of a bad bunch.

I took it with pineapple juice to wash my mouth out. Helped a bit.

princesspants · 06/01/2014 11:17

I couldn't tolerate anything the doctor gave me and I ended up sticking to lots of Spatone. I wish I hadn't. I lost alot of blood at the birth and despite my blood transfusion I was still anemic until recently.

I have since found Gentle Iron in a very good health store. In Edinburgh.

You are better going to a place that specialises in supplements rather than GP or Boots etc.

Do you have a health shop near by?

Take them plus make sure you stop tea and coffee and eat lots of foods with Iron and and Vit C. If I had known I would have made more effort.

Flip