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February 2013 Moms
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Lets talk about low iron

BrewerFan86BrewerFan86 member
in February 2013 Moms
So after taking my diabetes test last week, my doctor called and said my iron levels were low and I needed to take an iron supplement twice a day. I was already pretty constipated, and now I am just plain miserable. Plus the pills make me nauseous. Anyone else dealing with this?
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Re: Lets talk about low iron

  • pnwloverpnwlover member
    Yes, don't worry you can make it better! Of course drink lots of water, eat high fiber foods and move around.. But when those don't work drink a glass of prune juice each night. Also ask your doctor for suggestions mine put me on a stool softener Colace ( not peri) and has me taking Metamucil 2'xs a day! I feel so much better! Good luck!
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  • amberrae45amberrae45
    I was super constipated prior to starting my iron supplements, then it got even worse! My doctor gave me a new prescription for a different type of supplement, and that combined with powdered fiber I've found some relief.
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  • brachysirabrachysira member

    Yes, you have to fight constipation with the full set of tools as pp is.  You can probably look at 1st trimester for more ideas.  My iron was just a little low so I am trying to eat more iron rich foods, consume these foods with orange juice, and consume milk at times of the day when I am not having iron.  Maybe if your levels aren't too low, you can skip the morning pill in favor of a dietary approach and just take one at night before bed--I don't notice nausea when I am asleep. 

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  • mendota67mendota67
    I recommend Plum Amazins - they are prunes in a chopped up form that is kind of like raisins or dried cranberries.  Taste good and help with the constipation.
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  • wifeofadamwifeofadam member

    Me.  I always dip to 9 points at this point in pregnancy.  I avoid supplements and just try to bring it up with diet - organ meat (specifically liver) at least once a week and lots of leafy greens.  I also add a little blackstrap molasses to my smoothies.

    With my last pregnancy I was able to bring it up two points in one month by doing this.

        
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  • alcammoralcammor

    I can't handle the supplements. Much like adamswife, I also try to adjust my diet (although kudos for eating liver, I am not much of a meat eater). I eat a ton of leafy greens, especially spinach - I add it to everything and also add molasses. 

    I have been anemic on and off since birth but never have the side effects, and generally find out when I am donating blood or when pregnant. So I don't really worry about it, but monitor it with the doctor. 

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  • brachysirabrachysira member
    If you go strictly diet, you have to make sure you're having foods that don't contain other things that block your adsorption.  You can do some research online and find the info you need.   Watch the consumption of liver b/c too much vitamin A is bad for baby and frequent liver consumption is not recommended for pregnant women. 
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  • elliespiralelliespiral member
    Ditto Floridex--my midwives recommended it. Supposed to not have the negative GI effects of a tablet.
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  • wifeofadamwifeofadam member

    imagebrachysira:
    If you go strictly diet, you have to make sure you're having foods that don't contain other things that block your adsorption.  You can do some research online and find the info you need.   Watch the consumption of liver b/c too much vitamin A is bad for baby and frequent liver consumption is not recommended for pregnant women. 

    This is true.  I've found that I can't drink black tea because it effects my iron absorption.

    But as far as liver goes, it's actually a common food recommended during pregnancy across many different cultures.  I follow the Brewer Pregnancy Diet and they want you to have liver (from a good, pastured source) once a week.  

    From what I have been told, you can't really OD on vitamins when they are coming from natural sources.  It's the synthetic vitamins that you need to worry about ODing on.

        
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  • SynthSynth
    They told me the same thing after my GTT. I've always been somewhat anemic but couldn't tolerate regular iron supplements which is why I started prenatals in the first place. The nurse told me to take it with citrus juice and recommended I go to GNC and see if they had anything "more natural." They actually gave me something called Gentlesorb Iron and I haven't had any issues with constipation or nausea. It was $10 for a 90-count bottle. 
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