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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Low iron - ferrous fumarate

16 replies

forevercurious · 26/09/2019 20:17

I am now 29 weeks and have just been prescribed ferrous fumarate as my latest blood tests show I have low iron. However I’m really worriedly about taking them and the side effects they can cause.

Has anyone been on them and able to share your experiences of them? I already have bad heartburn and I’m on lactulose for constipation so I’m worried the tablets will make it much much worse!

OP posts:

OneHanded · 26/09/2019 20:22

They make your poop black and can give you slight tummy pains but otherwise fine. After a while once levels balance they tend to switch to ferrous sulfate which I think isn’t as strong.

BackseatKnitter · 26/09/2019 20:23

I had them after giving birth due to blood loss and have to say the constipation issue was not great. That was the only side effect I experienced though. I took dulcoease alongside them which helped.

Original poster

forevercurious · 26/09/2019 20:58

thanks for the replies, I’ve just taken my first tablet so fingers crossed I don’t experience many of the side effects 🤞

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thisyeargoodyear · 26/09/2019 21:03

I got put on these about 3 weeks ago at 26 weeks. I have absolutely no issues taking them and no constipation (if anything the opposite issue!). I was advised to take them with something that contains vitamin C (such as fresh orange juice) and vitamin C helps you absorb the iron. Also to avoid any type of caffeine when taking the tablets as this has the opposite effect and can stop your body absorbing the iron as much.

AuntieMaggie · 26/09/2019 21:09

Constipation can be an issue - I would try to increase the iron in your diet too such as a spinach based smoothie... Mixed with cucumber, apple and mint or kiwi/grapes you wouldn't even taste it and may help prevent constipation.

The tannin in tea affects absorption too.

CottonSock · 26/09/2019 21:10

Fine for me, whereas low iron was not. Please take them. Diet change alone won't do it.

PalindromicUser · 26/09/2019 21:13

I had horrendous stomach pains and had to stop taking it but that no bearing on what will happen to you.

Mrsaverage1 · 26/09/2019 21:16

I was given these and really struggled. When I spoke to the midwife she said ferrous sulfate is much better to tolerate and that current guidance is to prescribe that instead but GP's don't always. Since I changed I've been fine.
Good luck!

chickenninja · 26/09/2019 21:17

Been taking them years. Absolutely no problems, no side effects (except black poo!)

Original poster

forevercurious · 26/09/2019 21:22

I think the lack of information I’ve been given regarding them is another thing that’s bothering me. I received a text from my GP surgery saying I had a prescription to collect for low iron (bloods taken for anti D injection last week) and I haven’t spoken to my midwife or doctor about it.

I will get some orange juice and cut down on the tea, although I only have 2/3 decaf teas a day since being pregnant.

I’m prescribed lactulose and should be taking 20ml a day, however I was worried about diarrhoea so having only been taking 5 or 10ml a day. I could take the 20ml to combat the constipation I guess.

Being pregnant is all fun and games isn’t it!

OP posts:

Shelby30 · 26/09/2019 21:55

Might be ok if ur on lactulose. It gives u black poo and usually makes u very constipated.

I was already suffering from constipation and piles so this was not welcome news when they put me on iron tablets.

They prescribed 3 a day for me. I was taking one every few days and it was still really bad for me, think of I'd taken 3 a day I'd have been hospitalised with a compacted bowel.

Just had blood tests again so hoping they come bk ok or I'll have to go bk to the doctor to see what they can give me.

0lapislazuli · 26/09/2019 21:56

I need to take it with a meal or I’ll get heartburn. Gaviscon lowers absorption too. I make sure I wait two hours after having tea or gaviscon to take the iron, or wait an hour after taking the iron to have anything that might interact.

Other than that, black stool and constipation, but I feel so much better after taking the iron. My exhaustion has improved a lot.

MyOtherProfile · 26/09/2019 21:58

Worked brilliantly for me. Definitely take with OJ and turn s blind eye to the black poo. I noticed so many positive outcomes that I don't remember any negatives.

faelavie · 27/09/2019 09:55

I've been on ferrous fumarate for 6 weeks and have been told to keep taking them all the way up to the birth (I'm currently 37+6 weeks). My only side effects have been constipation and black poo. I have lactulose for when the constipation is bad. Don't really care what colour my poo is!

Cardboard33 · 27/09/2019 10:08

I've been on FF since I was about 30 weeks pregnant due to becoming anemic with my now almost 7 month old baby. Initially I was told to take one in the morning and one at night which made me very constipated. I stopped taking them for about a week as it got too much and mentioned it to the consultant who told me to take them both in the morning with orange juice to see how I got on, and honestly, it cleared up the pooing issue entirely. They're just blacker than normal now.

They told me that I needed to continue taking them until I stopped breast feeding, so it might be the same with you. I feel so much better now than I did before I started taking them and definitely notice a difference if I forget to take them for a day or two although I'm generally pretty good as just take them at the same time as my epilepsy meds.

Original poster

forevercurious · 27/09/2019 20:23

Thankyou for all the replies, I’ll definitely get some orange juice and try taking both in the morning. I really don’t want my constipation to get worse as it was so painful before I started on the lactulose.

A few people I’ve spoken to have recommend the sachets so I’m going to ask my midwife about those too.

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