Any GD mums also taking iron tablets?

[katerose2022]

I'm currently 32w pregnant and was found to have low iron levels (106 whatever that is) at the blood test a month ago, so they gave me 200mg Ferrous Sulfate tablets to take one per day. Because I have gestational diabetes, I can't take it together with orange juice first thing in the morning, so I've been taking it together with a piece of fruit (orange or apple) in the mid afternoon, 2hrs after lunch. One month on and another blood test showed that iron level has dropped to 104.... I called the hospital and they don't sound too concerned (sounds like anything above 100 is still fine?), and asked me to just continue doing the same.

Wondering if anyone's got tips on how to take iron tablets when you also have GD pls? Luckily I'm not really bothered by any side effects (constipation or nausea) so far. Thanks!

I took mine with effervescent vitamin c tablets on my midwife's recommendation. Didn't have any constipation or nausea. It was actually better than taking them with OJ.

Thanks a lot! Will try those

Are you meant to take them with orange juice?! I've just been taking mine with water like a normal tablet .... Oh dear

@Spottypineapple so have I. Same with my last pregnancy! Actually after my last c section my surgeon came to see me to tell me to stop right away as I had the highest iron levels he’d ever seen - so not convinced it’s essential!

Vitamin c helps iron to absorb.
If you're deficient in vitamin c you'll most likely be deficient in iron too.

Also you don't have to take them with orange juice as long as your vit C levels are normal!

Iron absorbs more effectively on an empty stomach with vitamin c.

I bought vitamin C tablets (not effervescent) and took my iron at 5am when I got up, so that I could have a coffee two hours later at 7am (coffee and tea contain polyphenols which stop iron absorption. Dairy also stops iron absorption).

My ferritin was 16 on a hospital scale of 12-300. It's now above 70 and the scale has changed to 10-150.

Take the iron every second day, it will absorb more effectively.

I've been taking mine with fresh orange which I despise 🤢 on MW recommendation. Going to send DH to get effervescent vit c tablets tonight!

Buy a vitamin C supplement and take it with that. 104 is absolute bottom end of what you want it to be. How many are you taking? Twice per day is optimum. Have they checked your ferritin levels?

I used to work in a GD clinic. We suggested no added sugar Ribena as a source of vit C to take iron tablets with

Thanks PP (And sorry to derail the thread)

I've been taking mine just after my morning cereal (so dairy) and coffee!

Off to buy some vit C tablets and change my routine.... luckily only 24 weeks so plenty of time to improve levels

No they didn't mention the ferritin level to me. I'm currently taking just one 200mg tablet per day

@Jazzybean the latest advice is to take iron tablets no more than once a day (some evidence that every other day may be just as good & perhaps better)

The reason is that a dose of iron stimulates production of a hormone that actually then blocks further iron absorption. So there needs to be a gap between doses for that hormone level to fall otherwise the next doses aren't absorbed and just cause stomach side effects.

Thanks! That's interesting as my midwife did tell me at the beginning to take one tablet a day, and if I have constipation from it, then reduce to one tablet every other day.

I take 2 spatone apple sachets a day and I have GD