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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Side effects to Iron tablets?

26 replies

LooneyLaura · 04/04/2005 22:55

I'm 29 weeks and just been told my iron count is low and been put on iron tablets.

Has anyone ever experienced any side effects with them, e.g. constipation, etc.

And how long do you have to keep taking them? Til the end of the pregnancy or just a few weeks?

OP posts:

gingerbear · 04/04/2005 22:56

black poo.
How long you take them depends on iron count at next blood test.

pixiefish · 04/04/2005 22:56

I had to take iron tablets through second and third trimester. Never suffered constipation. Had blood test due to blood contition so blood was monitored for iron levels.

kid · 04/04/2005 22:56

I had to take them and was warned about possible constipation but luckily wasn't affected.
I had to take them for a few weeks then have another blood test done to check my iron level.

mmmmchocolate · 04/04/2005 22:58

took them from 22 weeks and was told to use them till packets run out (dd was 4weeks then). Had slight constipation a few times but nothing to bad, though poo did go a horid blackish colour.

Original poster

LooneyLaura · 04/04/2005 23:00

Have noticed the black poo!!!!

Have only started this morning, but seem to be working the opposite of bunging me up!! Hope that doesnt last long.

OP posts:

SamN · 04/04/2005 23:05

I've never had much joy with iron tablets and I've read that (a) the iron is not in a very easily digestible form; and (b) the iron can, however, be accessed by and used by nasty bacteria in your gut.

As an alternative, and in view of (a) above, you could just try increasing sources of iron in your diet. Dried apricots are my favourite source. Other dried fruit, dark green veg, molasses, red meat and egg yolks are others that spring to mind. If you have a good source of Vit C at the same meal it helps iron absorption.

I've also heard that Fluorodix (sp?) is a supplement containing iron which is more easily absorbed than the standard iron tablets.

In view of (b) it may be a good idea to take probiotics if you are taking iron supplements.

hth

milge · 04/04/2005 23:07

Had terrible constipation with iron tablets, gave them up in the end as being tired wasn't as bad as a sore bum!

SueW · 04/04/2005 23:14

Try Floradix (also available gluten-free if necessary) or Spatone

ChicPea · 04/04/2005 23:28

I take Fefol iron tablets which are sustained release and therefore don't constipate. I was advised to take 2 per day when preg but found they gave me tummy ache.

JanH · 04/04/2005 23:30

I got completely bunged up with iron tabs (TMI, sorry) so took multivits+iron, with orange juice, and they kept my haemoglobin levels high enough but avoided the bunging up.

dancer77 · 04/04/2005 23:42

I got constipation with iron tablets.Had to take a 3 tablets a day as I lost a lot of blood during labour. Health visitor recommended floradix to me (gets into system quicker) so I took that as well. Was also told by a physio who works with my mum that you should also take the iron tablets with orange juice.

melsy · 04/04/2005 23:44

If u can I took mine with lots of fresh orange juice , seems to help absorbtion and reduce secreting excess.

flamesparrow · 05/04/2005 01:02

I am a nightmare for iron, and get bunged up easy... but, I can take spa tone without too much hassle - it is liquid iron that you mix with fresh orange juice (to help absorption). It seems to be more gentle on the poo

feelingold · 05/04/2005 22:50

I have taken iron tablets during pregnancy and after giving birth with all 3 of mine, I too suffered with the constipation and the black poo, absolutely dreadful. I discovered (only after having no3 baby) the liquid iron that comes in sachets that you mix with orange juice, and I did not suffer any side effects with this, it's much better. It is a very concentrated form of iron and it can be taken on its own but I wouldn't recommend it as it has an awful metallic taste (hence mixing it with orange juice), I would certainly recommend this rather than the tablets, especially if you have to take them for quite a long period of time.
However I only took them after having my baby so not sure if they are suitable whilst pregnant or if you can get them on prescription as I just bought mine from Boots. Good luck.

CrazyDi · 06/04/2005 00:05

I never suffered constipation with iron tablets, but did react badly to them. They made me really violently sick and ill. Due to really bad anaemia problems (hb of 4.2!!) i had to be treated in hospital and am now up to a hb level of 7 thanks to sytron liquid iron which i have had very little reactions to!!

milward · 06/04/2005 00:28

Glad to hear you're doing well now crazydi - best wishes

dancer77 · 06/04/2005 14:03

my hb was just a bit more than yours crazy di after I'd given birth. I'm told know that I should have had a blood transfusion.

piffle · 06/04/2005 14:31

spatone again, used this from 28 wks with pretty serious iron shortage and count was back up in 6 days

Tessiebear · 06/04/2005 14:43

I started taking them last Thursday (am 28 wks pg) For the first few days they made me quite loose (sorry for tmi) - i seem to be settling down now - but am conciously eating more fruit / veg and fibre in my diet because with my first two pregnancies they did make me quite constipated - oh and drink more water

bubbaloo · 06/04/2005 17:19

hi there,
im 31wks pg and was put on them at around 16wks.
i tried 2 different types from the doc but both gave me awful tummy upsets(to the point of having to jump of the train in the morning!)that i stopped taking them after only a week!
my doc said as long as i eat iron rich foods(and drinking orange juice with your meal helps)it should be ok.and like everyone else they also turned my poo black!
hth

mumtojohn · 28/12/2008 21:35

I had a c-section to deliver my son on Tuesday and have been put on iron tablets. No side effects bar the blackest poo ever.

littleboyblue · 28/12/2008 21:37

I had to take iron tabs towards the end with ds and was told to continue after he was born. I stopped taking them the minute he was born due to constipation and piles. I was litterally screaming and foot stamping.....Did I share too much

jasperc163 · 29/12/2008 08:55

an alternative is Spatone which is a very iron rich spring water (comes in tiny sachets). My daughter is permanently on it (faddy eater) and I have a friend who used it to sort out low iron levels in pregnancy (she had refused the pills). It doesnt have the the side effects that the pills have and you can buy it in any Boots etc.

jasperc163 · 29/12/2008 08:57

www.spatone.com/Spatone-during-pregnancy_section8.aspx

meant to say its meant to be in a much more available form than the tablets

Hawkmoth · 29/12/2008 17:09

Iron tablets made me poo like a cow!!! Blacky-green and very sloppy. Quite unpleasant, but they did work.

I couldn't hack the taste of Spatone. OJ gives me migraines so I had it (once) with vimto. Was just too much like drinking a glass of blood!

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