Iron deficiency and sickness - please can someone help?

[Rose256]

Hello, just wondered if anyone had been through the same... I'm almost 28 weeks pregnant and have just found out I'm really low on iron. Doctor has prescribed me iron tablets (ferrous sulphate) which I've been taking the past few days. The problem is I'm still suffering from pregnancy nausea and vomiting and every time I take a tablet it just comes back up after about an hour. It's worse if I take on an empty stomach, but I've been told they have to be taken on an empty stomach as absorption is poor otherwise. Have looked into spatone drinks but the dose isnt enough (each sachet has 5mg compared to 200mg in the tablets). Just wondering if anyone has been through this and had any alternatives/could offer any advice please? Thanks so much.

They don’t have to be taken on an empty stomach… the packet that I have says to take with food to reduce the likelihood of constipation.

In your case, just getting it to stay in is more important than an empty stomach or not.

Vitamin C increases absorption so I always have mine with a glass of orange juice. Might be something to try?

Also dried apricots have a lot of iron, so if you like those you could have a handful of those every day too.

I’m anaemic at the minute, and when I asked my GP said ferrous gluconate is more gentle on the stomach than ferrous sulphate.
She also said taking one tablet every other day is just as effective as taking one every day, and that tends to be easier on your digestive system.

How low is your iron?. Ask if you can be given an iron infusion?

Spatone is still better than nothing if you can't keep the tablets down, equally taking the tablets with food is better than bringing them up.
I found B6 and B12 helped for sickness, also icey smoothies to keep tablets down.

I've just ordered some sachets off Amazon, apparently really good I had them recommend
Different flavours such as apple etc

Buy ferrous gluconate tablets - you can ask a pharmacist for them - and try to take them before bedtime.

If that doesn't work go back to your GP as you need to get your iron levels up before you give birth.

I take Ferrous Fumarate as ferrous sulphate makes me sick. Could you ask if this is an option. If not please push for the iron transfusion you will feel so much better.