me again.. iron tablets and anaemia ??

[redddssak]

sorry to ask again, but like I said in previous posts I couldn't get ahold of my midwife my gp doesn't let me ask her questions and are very rude
also to add im 23 weeks pregnant

ive been prescribed ferrous sulphate ONE to be taken TWICE a day for as the doctor text me saying Im "Slightly anaemic"
levels were 109 ( normal low being 120 I think ) 2 weeks ago at my blood test as was feeling tired, heart palpitations etcc

initially the doctor text me the results saying just get some from iron from the pharmacy which I did then at my midwife app last week I mentioned I was taking these iron pills from boots 14mg and have been for a week, she said shell Email the doctor who did the test to give me "feso4" she put in the email any way I just picked up these 400mg a day tablets yesterday

I took one earlier at 11:30 am ish im panning on taking the other one soon, but very paranoid this is a lot of iron 400mg a day? is this safe? I dont want to overdose on iron.. is this even possible as google says it is,

shall I just take the 2 a day at total 400mg a day till I see my midwife in7 days and ask then if I should continue the 2 a day
also worried as when I peeled back the pharmacy label they stick on the pill box saying 2 a day It says on the box one to be taken daily do not exceed the daily dose (one a day)then goes on about what to do in an overdose 🙁
but they stuck the sticker over that, they also didnt leave the leaflet inside, am I just overthinking this a lot as usual

speak to the pharmacist tomorrow if you are concerned, they should be able to reassure you, but you can take it up to 3 x a day. I was taking ferrous fumerate 3 x a day.
Do be prepared that they can cause constipation (get some fybogel, it’s safe to take daily in pregnancy) or can have the opposite effect and cause diarrhoea.
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ferrous-sulfate/how-and-when-to-take-ferrous-sulfate/

I mean would the pharmacy/ doctor really of prescribed me that to overdose? I don think so
ill just take 2 a day

You need to speak with a pharmacist in the morning . Posting multiple threads here isn't going to help you.

Twice a day (400mg) is a very normal dose for anaemia in pregnancy. Depending how low your iron levels are you will be prescribed once twice or 3 times a day in severe cases. It can cause constipation, so see how you go and if you're struggling with your bowels then discuss with your GP about reducing to once a day or changing to a liquid form of iron tjag is more gentle on your gut.
Also good to take the tablet with fresh orange juice and avoid tea/coffee for a couple of hours either side of taking the tablet as this will help you absorb the iron.

Yes I was not anemic and took them due to low Ferritan, irong stores, well normal low. It didn't help me post partum and it
became anemic anyway. And had to take them for a further 16 months to get back to normal levels.

The only complication they are worried about is constipation. (Family are pbarmacists) it is safe to take especially as your already anemic. Just make sure to have with food and with some VitC a glass of juice is fine. It can irritate your stomach otherwise.

I was on 200mg x2 a day.

If you do have conatipation just take some prunes / prune juice you don't need another prescription.

Hey hun, my iron levels were also 109 and I was prescribed ferrous fumarate 210mg twice a day with orange juice. My levels are increasing slowly I think I'm up to 113 now so still a bit low x

So strange how the hospital you are with dictates how much iron you are given, if any. I have an iron of 105, and it is only with me persisting and calling a private doctor that I was given 200mg tablets (only one tablet a day). My ferritin is super low at 14ug, but not low enough for this hospital to prescribe, I had to go private.

I was also on 200mg a day towards the end of my pregnancy. So it’s worth a chat with your doctor.

As an aside in order to increase the iron in your diet long term OP have you tried using a
Lucky iron fish. They are wonderful and used in poverty stricken countries by charities.
Also consider cooking with cast iron pans.

Hi op

im 27 weeks and have been taking two a day of the same dose as you since 20 weeks and my hb is now improving. I had exactly the same previous pregnancy, it’s very common and not an unusual dose at all.

Also iron is very hard for the body to absorb and a lot of it is expelled when you go to the toilet ( hence people having dark stools)