Quickest/Best way to get iron levels back up? And how can I get more oxygen??

[LadyOfWaffle]

Mine have kept dropping despite taking 2 Spatones in orange juice a day and now are at 10.4 with only 2 weeks left to go. I was offered a blood transfusion after having DS and my iron levels were alot higher at this point so am panicing abit! Also with it I am finding it hard to breathe sometimes, literally like I am not getting oxygen in - I stick my head out the window and take big breaths but wondered if there is something I can do to help with that. Thanks

This is a timely thread, as I've just been told my iron levels have dropped even more. I was taking 2 spatone sachets every day, but it obviously hasn't done the trick. I was given iron tablets but know from previous experience that the side effects are grim. Dried figs and apricots are a good source of iron so I've started eating them to counteract the side effects and hopefully give my iron levels a boost.

I was wondering the same as you Star. Does anyone know if it would be bad to take floradix and one iron tablet a day?

bump!

I don't think this is a good idea to be honest, the theraputic levels in the iron tablets you have been prescribed are probably not having an effect because it does take a while for iron levels in blood to change. I would see your GP if you are still considering this though.

I did... gp said she doesn't know about floradix but knows that the iron level in it was really low.
I've been trying to get my iron levels up since the 1st trimester (now 29 weeks). Had regular blood tests and nothing seems to have worked so far. Gp said she is running out of ideas... just lovely...

Iron sorbitol injections should raise your levels quickly or maybe she should try a different Iron tablet. Are you taking them after meals?

ask your GP for a referral to a haematologist

thanks! will ask about both

What's the name of your medication?

ferrous sulphate 200mg.
I took 2 tablets 3X per day for about 8 weeks. Didn't help. Tried substituting that with spatone. Took both things with orange juice.
Now, gp wants me to try 3 tablets 3X per day.

how about some of these:

NB take all with vit C to help absorbtion so organge juice or blueberries/fruit afterwards!

Chickpeas very high and so is molasses, which I like on pancakes/cereal.

Eggs - especially the yolk
Oily fish e.g. tuna, sardines, pilchards,
Lamb, game
Wholemeal bread and flour
Iron-fortified cereals - Bran, Branflakes, Weetabix
Beans and pulses e.g. lentils, chick peas, haricot, kidney, pinto, baked, butter, peas
Nuts - almonds, cashews, Brazils, walnuts
Dried fruit - apricots, figs, dates
Green vegetables - watercress, spinach
Rich fruit cake, gingerbread, ginger biscuits
Curry powder
Cocoa, chocolate, black treacle

Incidentally, how quickly/slowly can you expect to see an increase in iron levels if tablets /dietary changes are having an effect?

very quickly. within a day or two energy levels start picking up.

My GP prescibed me iron tablets and told me to take 3 a day, which when I looked at the Floravital was 6 times the amount of iron, so I think you could safely take Floravital/dix more than the suggested amount. Check with your GP/pharmacist to put your mind at ease. I was desperate to get my hb levels up for my homebirth. Low hb has been linked to PND so keep it up after the baby is born. I did start to feel so much better after a couple of weeks of taking them.

Don't just avoid tea when you take the iron, cut it out completely. It's worth it when you actually notice how well and energised you feel, after feeling rotten for so long.

I remember that breathless feeling, where if you make the bed you have to sit down afterwards, it's horrid isn't it? and it is a symptom of aneamia.

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy and birth.

caffiene inhibits absorbtion of iron I beleive. So keep it to a minimum and don't take your tablets close to drinking tea/cofee/coke. (not entirely relelvant fact but my step-mum is always anaemic despite eating really well, but she drinks lots of tea and coffee at work).

I would try what she's suggested, just be aware that a high dose can cause constipation/tummy pain. Sprouts have more vitamin c in them then oranges (I have been told), ask for somethng else if this does not work.

I would ask her if you should be referred to a haematologist aswell.

Solgar Gentle Iron are fabulous.

They are easily absorbed,
decent strength (20mg) per capsule,
vegetarian,
dont taste bad (loads of people dont like the smell or taste of floradox/spatone)
and are not expensive...?10 for 3 month supply (I'm in Ireland),
You can get them online or in any good health store (probably not in holland and barrett)

hope that helps

thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I will try anything - everything!!
I never drink tea/coffee/fizzy drinks, so no caffeine - good to hear that's worth it!! I have been adding in some dark chocolate though... which I was told was high in iron, but I know this has caffeine.
Thanks again!!

also beware of constipation so if you are taking the tablets drink lots of extra water and have dried fruit/high fibre cereals too! good luck.

oops...forgot to add the main point

They DONT cause constipation or upset the stomach

hence why they are so fab

Spatone is great, doesn't make you constipated!

Strong nettle tea drank throughout the day helped to raise my iron levels. It was strong though and I drank a teapot full every day.

As I mentioned before, the absorption rate of ferrous sulphate is really low, whereas the absorption rate of other forms of iron such as citrate (and probably gluconate) is much higher as it is in a form the body can metabolise more easily (this is indicative but not necessarily accurate). The Floradix/Floravital preparation might contain less iron but is likely to give you overall more iron because you will absorb more. DO NOT OVERDOSE ON IT!

Although you need iron, of course, you must not take too much of it because it competes for absorption with other minerals, including copper, which is also required for blood manfuacture amongst other things. Overdosing on iron can cause deficiency in copper and be counterproductive.

Do not take too many dark green leafy vegetables as the phytates they contain will inhibit absorption of the iron. Certain pulses, especially soybeans, contain large amounts of phytates as well so if you are vegetarian, keep the soy levels down too.

Thanks Thumbwitch!! That's what I wanted to know. I also try to limit the soy because of something I read about the fertility of the child later on in life... so I try to ignore the cravings for a bowl of soybeans.

Thanks for all this - am I right in thinking Floradix is better than Spatone then? Can I take it in orange juice, as I do with Spatone? I will try and get some today. Glad you said about 'overdosing' on it, I was tempted to double the spatone to 4 a day!

I don't know about Spatone, sorry, but if it's not working for you then try the Floradix instead and see how you get on. Having read the blurb about Spatone, it seems to be excellent, but it is cagey about the actual form of iron in its product. The figures look good but if they aren't working for you then you need to try alternatives.

I can't see a problem with taking the Floradix in orange juice if you want to.