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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Iron count

18 replies

K8eee · 28/01/2014 09:41

Just curious to see how low my levels are compared to other mums to be out there. Tried to look online to see how low they can get but can't find anything. I have just been told I've got to go on iron tablets I'm not looking forward to the constipation

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lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 09:41

What is your level?

Original poster

K8eee · 28/01/2014 09:45

102

OP posts:

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 09:48

Is that 10.2?
Usually the number is around 12 in a healthy adult but it can vary in pregnant women. 10.2 isn't too bad and if you're worried about constipation you could consider Spatone which is liquid iron and doesn't constipate. It is also fast absorbing.

This all depends on how pregnant you are and how long you have left to get your levels up but I think I remember you from a previous thread and if I'm right you have bags of time.

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 09:49

I was 10.7 and got up to 12.3 in a month with spatone, by the way. I can't tolerate iron tablets as I suffer with ibs.

cravingcake · 28/01/2014 10:12

During pregnancy i was 10.4 and took spatone and tried to eat iron rich foods.

I had baby last week and lost quite a bit of blood and my levels have gone down to 9.2 so i'm on 2 iron tablets a day. I'm taking lactulose as well so havent had any problems.

I was told between 10 & 12 is normal.

chantico · 28/01/2014 10:24

I'm not sure if this is the NHS guideline currently in force, but normal level is/was: Hb >110g/l in first trimester, >105g/l in second and third trimesters and >100g/l in postpartum period.

Floradix is another supplement worth trying as it doesn't bung you up and does improve levels.

Writerwannabe83 · 28/01/2014 10:27

My bloods at 28 weeks showed my levels as being at 9.

I have been prescribed Ferrous Fumerate two tablets a day and my first thought was, "I don't want constipation and piles"

I've been naughty actually as despite starting them 10 days ago I've only actually taken 2 a day on two separate occasions. A lovely MN member sent me some Spatone Sachets and so I've been taking one tablet a day and drinking one sachet a day. I have also ordered myself a box of Spatone in order for me to continue this regime - although I will probably start having 2 sachets a day. I'm willing to pay for the cost of that if it means constipation and piles can be avoided!!

I've got to back to my GP Surgery for more bloods at the end of next week to re-check my levels and I'm hoping they will have risen and I won't get in trouble for not taking 2 tablets a day

When my sister was pregnant with her 2nd she was prescribed iron supplements and she said that within 2 weeks of being on them she was incredibly constipated and in absolute agony - she refused to take them in the end. By the time it came to having her baby her levels were at 7 which is Transfusion Level - but she refused to have that too.

So far I haven't had any problems with my bowels and I'm crossing my fingers that it stays this way!!

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 10:33

Ugh I went down to a 6 after a PPH with DS and they didn't give me a transfusion. It was miserable

dats · 28/01/2014 10:48

Mine were 11. I've just picked up my prescription but not looking forward to taking them. I'm veggie, so the iron I consume isn't the stuff that's easily absorbed, despite eating a good amount of veg, nuts, grains. So I'm drinking orange juice to try and help that. Which gives me heartburn

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 11:15

Dats I'm vegetarian as well so focussing on lots of leafy greens and dried fruits + vitamin c.

KiwiBanana · 28/01/2014 11:37

Oh mine were 14.5, is it bad to have them that high? I didn't think anything of it till reading this!

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 12:10

No I think that's great!

HopeS01 · 28/01/2014 14:44

It's really not worth avoiding the tablets. The symptoms of anaemia are far worse than constipation

lastnightopenedmyeyes · 28/01/2014 15:07

Unfortunately for me the constipation resulted in serious birth complications. That's why I've avoided them this time, and the spatone has worked better anyway.

ILickPicnMix · 28/01/2014 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StillPukin · 28/01/2014 17:40

I was 10.5 and was told it was the low end of normal. #i was prescribed Ferrous Fumarate (sp?) 2-3 per day and did not suffer any constipation at all.

It also helped massively with my restless leg.

Writerwannabe83 · 28/01/2014 18:10

It's funny you say that stillpukin - I used to suffer horrendously with restless legs but thinking about it now, I can't remember the last time I had it! It never occurred to me that the F.F might have helped.

Misty9 · 28/01/2014 20:02

Mine were 10.7 at 28wks and my doctor said below 11 is when they prescribe so he was happy for me to try floradix first before tablets. Now I just need to remember to take the damn stuff 30mins before eating
I agree, feeling anaemic is bloody awful; in hindsight it's why I felt so spaced and wiped out after ds's birth, but I refused tablets then for fear of the side effects. Think I'll just take them this time...

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