Low iron 27 weeks

[Ozabet40]

Had my bloods taken last week by GP after I had a rash come up. They called me today to advise that my iron levels are low and need to start these iron tablets twice a day for the rest of my pregnant.
the gp made a real ordeal about how dangerous it can be in pregnancy to have low iron for both me and baby, but then went on to say that the prescription won’t be ready until end of next week … so should I be concerned that I have to go another week without these iron tablets?

also I do feel a bit confused by the conflicting information she’s given me … firstly she doesn’t know whether it’s safe to take these iron tablets alongside my fragmin injections …

secondly she’s told me that they will make me constipated and to call them asap if I notice loose stool … she’s sent me a link to the nhs website which then says these tablets are likely to give me loose stool… so is it a concern or not ?

has anyone taken these tablets before and been okay? And have you also taken them alongside fragmin? …
thanks

So in answer to your first question, the danger is being anemic at the time of Birth, as your body would be less able to cope if you were to have a higher blood loss. They start you on the tablets because they take a few weeks to build up in your system, but the one week won't make a difference don't worry.

Taking them with a glass of orange juice helps your body absorb the iron, and for constipation drink loads and loads of water, high fibre foods and consider Fibogel once a day to stay regular. Sorry not sure about the fragmin

You can buy the same stuff they prescribe, have they definitely told you to wait for it? It’s fine to take it with fragmin, I’ve done it in two pregnancies. I’ve never had any gastric issues with iron (ferrous sulphate) but it can make you constipated so you could up your fibre, a few dried apricots or some extra pulses.

Have a proper read of the patient info page about it on the NHS site, how you take iron has a big impact on how well it’s absorbed eg take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and last thing at night, not when you have dairy, caffeine, anything with tannins, egg. You’ll get the hang of it.

@AnneLovesGilbert thnaks for your reply, yeah Dr said they’ve prescribed it but need to wait for it to be authorised and sent to pharmacy next week, and then they’ll be able to dispense so should be ready to collect by end of next week… glad to hear you’ve taken with fragmin as well that makes me feel much better. Thank you.
My Dr still doesn’t know I’m on fragmin as despite how many letters I send in they don’t update my records… so it does worry me when they prescribe things!
i appreciate the advice of when to take and what/not with. Looks like it’s a trip to the shops for dried fruit this weekend lol.
Fingers crossed all goes well…

@Spottypineapple Thank you for the advice. I didn’t know thats the reason why! I assumed it was to stop me from fainting or something!… so thank you for explaining.
ill definitely be getting all the essentials to hopefully not suffer from side effects… thank you for the suggestion of orange juice as well as the other bits, I’ll be on 400mg a day so I better stock up on the OJ!

Most welcome. Anaemia can make you feel really crap, I’ve had it to a greater or lesser extent for decades and my levels really dropped in pregnancy but didn’t take long to increase with regular iron.

Who's prescribing the fragmin, a consultant? But your GP doesn’t know? It can be a faff, how are you finding it?

I’d wait on the prescription if that’s what you’ve been told to do. Get on it twice a day once you’ve got it. Worth continuing after you’ve had your baby for a while, check with your doctor but the last thing you want with a newborn and while you’re recovering is extra exhaustion.

Don’t panic, a lot of women are borderline anaemic a lot of the time in their menstruating years and even more so in pregnancy, growing a baby takes it out of you!

do you know what your levels are? Iron isn’t meant to be taken daily anymore as the body struggles to absorb it and you just get constipated

@AnneLovesGilbert oh that’s good to hear I’m hoping that my levels increase quite quickly. Not bothered about being on the tablets, just bothered about the low levels affecting me and baby. But like you say lots of women experience the same thing, and hopefully I’ll be able to stay awake at work now rather than needing to nap every lunch time lol. I’ll definitely wait for the prescription, I think they’ve only supplied up until baby is due so will ask for more as can’t imagine being this tired on top of newborn baby tiredness!

Yes consultant prescribing the fragmin… having to go to hospital every 20 days to get the next lot which is such a faff like you say. Have been using it since I was 13 weeks and will continue until 6 weeks after birth… so a long way to go! I don’t mind the fragmin actually, have got used to it and just second nature at this point.
GP has been pretty useless… I even took my maternity notes and fragmin prescription to the doctors and asked them to scan in and keep on file for future, but they still don’t take any notice and I end up having to call MAU or the hospital pharmacy to check if I can take certain medications with the fragmin…

I do love being pregnant but my god is there a lot that comes with it lol…

Similar story here OP as developed anaemia in both my pregnancies and was prescribed iron.

I found the Spatone sachets much easier to stomach than iron tablets, with no digestive issues. Did the job too in raising my iron levels. You can get them on Amazon or in Tesco/Boots etc.

Yes all my pregnancies and now in menopause. It's ferrous sulphate and it's cheaper to buy over counter. If you are feeling rubbish if just get it but otherwise wait for prescription. No issues with birth /babies here.