Iron deficiency

[messybun101]

I'm 17+3. The last 3 weeks have been awful with exhaustion. A bit wobbly on my feet and really run down.

Dr looked at my bloods taken 5 weeks ago at first scan and said I was a bit anaemic. They started me on Ferrous Sulphate 200mg and the label says 'redd the addition information given with this medicine' ... there's not a leaflet in sight so I'm hoping MN can help

1. With food or an empty stomach?
2. Are these replacing my daily vitamin D I was given by the hospital or do I take them as well?
3. Do I just continue to take it throughout the pregnancy or stop when the two boxes (2x28) run out?
4. How long does it take to get some energy back? I'm only awake 4-5 hours before needing another rest...

Don't take on an empty stomach. But also avoid dairy, tea and coffee for a good half hour either side.
Keep taking the vit D too.
They will do your bloods again but you are likely to still need the iron supplement if you are low at this point.

Sorry I forgot to answer last question, you should have some energy back in about 18 and a half years, all going well.

Empty stomach, with a glass of orange juice to aid absorption of the iron if you can. As pp said, avoid dairy and caffeine after if possible as these can block absorption. Keep taking vit D. Also as pp said they will probably check your bloods again. After a high dose from the GP to help my levels rebound I then just swapped to an over the counter supplement which seems to be sufficient to sustain my iron levels now. Repeat bloods have shown my levels have stayed stable since. I felt much better quite quickly from recollection, within a week or so.

@Crazybirdlady

Sorry I forgot to answer last question, you should have some energy back in about 18 and a half years, all going well.

Unfortunately she's right.

Congrats and good luck😂

PS take it with orange juice. You absorb more of the iron.

Pahahaha laughing loads at your comment. Must be working I've not had a burst of energy like that in a while. Thank you @Crazybirdlady 😂

@MGee123 great thank you for your reply! I have a hosp app on the 25th, I'm sure they'll check up then

Thanks both! X

I’m on ferrous fumarate and it says to take either 2 hours after food or 30 minutes before food. As others have said avoid diary and keep taking your vitamin D.

I started to feel better about 10 days after starting.

Just a note on these... constipation is a really frequent side effect . May need something otc for that, more fibre etc.

Thanks @Gennia. I had no slips in either boxes

@EssentialHummus I stopped taking a multi vitamin a few weeks ago that had iron in it for this reason. I'm already on some meds that cause constipation. Add that in with a baby squashing my insides, I'm having a terrible time with it too.
I have lactulose to take in the morning (I've only been using it every few days) but I'll maybe need more regular use with these.

God, pregnancy really does do the weirdest things to you

Thanks ladies!! Very much appreciated xx