Ferrous sulphate tablets making me ill

[anon138]

Hi,

I've been told in the last week that i'm iron deficient and have been put on Ferrous sulphate tablets. I've given it a good week on them now and I just feel rotten on them. It gives me a rough stomach and haven't stopped having the runs since i've been on them! (sorry if TMI)

I was thinking of just stopping them and maybe taking Floradix instead. I am not extremely deficient, just slightly lower than i should be so i don't feel as though i need something industrial to get me back to the correct levels. Has anyone else managed to get their iron levels back up on Floradix, or is there another better recommended product to use?

Thanks in advance

Hi,
This is a really common complaint about the tablets. I use spatone liquid sachets. A bit pricey but worth it. They need taking with a source of vitamin c to work so i drink mine with orange juice. I can't remember the best time of the day to take it. I just don't have it at meal times.

I am in exactly the same boat. I have stopped taking the tablets because they make me too ill to be in work (sickness....the runs etc!). But not taking them is making me feel guilty in case it does anything that could put the baby at risk. What are your iron levels? I spoke to my doctor today about alternatives (spatone and floradix) the iron levels in these are so low and she said they are good at preventing a drop in iron but won't build it back up once it is low. I don't know what to do myself so don't really have any advice!

Hopehope20 i was told that my levels were 97 and they needed to be 105 (if that means anything to you!). I'm supposed to be taking these iron tablets twice daily. Maybe i'll drop to once daily and then top it up with another supplement? I just can't face feeling like this for another 8 weeks

I had to take iron and it made me really ill

Even spatone couldn't be stomached

This could though link

Got on really well with that

I was given the tablets which I couldn’t handle (similar symptoms) and then the liquid which was even worse. I was extremely anemic so ended up having iron infusions every 2-3 weeks for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy. Painless but a bit of a pain going up the hospital for 2-3hrs at a time. See if the supplements help but if not then this might be a good option.

Thanks everyone, i think i'll have to let the midwife know i'm just not getting on with them and see what she suggests. I'm just concerned the baby will suffer if i don't get my levels up though, so i feel compelled to keep taking them.

Your GP can prescribe a different formulation that has fewer side effects. Ferrous fumerate.

I'm on ferrous fumarate, if I take it on an empty stomach it makes me feel sick but if I take with food I'm absolutely fine, may be worth a go.

Most doctors prescribe two or three tablets a day but the latest evidence is that one tablet on alternate days is just as effective as the body regulates how much it absorbs based on how much it has had recently. Try one tablet, alternate days, with a glass of orange juice.

I have exactly the same problem (and I must admit I've been a bit rubbish at taking them) but it is really important so it's a good idea to talk to your midwife and see if she can suggest an alternative.

Spatone actually has less iron in than floradix-I would stop the iron tabs (if you’re tummy that upset what else are you now not absorbing??) take floradix with orange juice to maximise absorption and avoid caffeine around the time you take it (I take it before bed for this reason)

Also increase iron rich foods in your diet-so a daily green veg juice (like spinach, orange and banana or similar), almonds, as well as the normal red meat etc.

Did the trick for me in a similar situation 😊