Extra Iron (Fe) Supplements?

andoll8 · February 2014

Despite my normal Fe count, my midwife has advised me to increase my intake in preparation for L&D. Supposedly, the reason is because the 3rd trimester is when baby will store up all Fe s/he will have for the first 6 mos. of life because s/he will not get any from breast milk.

Has anyone else encountered this? What additional supplment (and how much) are you taking?

annabeanybee · February 2014

I took a slow release supplement with DS, but I was anemic - and even then, I didn't take it every day. Since your levels are normal, maybe you could just increase iron-rich foods? I get nervous taking a supplement because it's so easy to overdose (also it can constipate you, but that's a lesser concern).

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

I just started taking iron because my gummy prenatal doesn't have it. My OB told be to take around 16-30mg. I take walmarts brand slow release (it's waaaay cheaper). It's 45mg and I cut it in half. I may start taking the whole in a couple of weeks

mirdamae03 · February 2014

I'm following this thread. My GD bloodwork showed anemia, so I'm supposed to get on an iron supplement.

RachelCA29 · February 2014

lauralou3x3 said:

I just started taking iron because my gummy prenatal doesn't have it. My OB told be to take around 16-30mg. I take walmarts brand slow release (it's waaaay cheaper). It's 45mg and I cut it in half. I may start taking the whole in a couple of weeks

Does the slow release help prevent constipation? I've had terrible constipation my whole pregnancy (like can't get out of bed from cramps) so my OB told me to take prenatal vitamins without iron for now, until mid-pregnancy blood work comes back, to see what my iron levels are like. But she did warn me if I was low, I would have to go on an iron supplement.

Have you been okay with the slow-release?

Ybba0714 · February 2014

My doctor prescribed iron as well, due to me being anemic. Apparently, it's very common during pregnancy since baby takes all the good stuff from our food and leaves us the leftovers. Because baby takes so much at this point, my doc assured me that there is not much risk in overdosing. I've been taking one 325mg tab daily. So far, haven't had any problems with constipation.

likeabel · February 2014

@lauralou3x3 did your doctor suggest cutting the slow release tablet in half? I only ask because I believe if you take a broken slow release tablet it is no longer slow release. There are layers in the tablet that slowly dissolve, which results in a slow release. When you cut it, all of the layers are exposed and they all disolve right away. I would just double check the packaging to see if it says to not eat broken tablets.

andoll8 · February 2014

RachelCA29 said:

lauralou3x3 said:

I just started taking iron because my gummy prenatal doesn't have it. My OB told be to take around 16-30mg. I take walmarts brand slow release (it's waaaay cheaper). It's 45mg and I cut it in half. I may start taking the whole in a couple of weeks

Does the slow release help prevent constipation? I've had terrible constipation my whole pregnancy (like can't get out of bed from cramps) so my OB told me to take prenatal vitamins without iron for now, until mid-pregnancy blood work comes back, to see what my iron levels are like. But she did warn me if I was low, I would have to go on an iron supplement.

Have you been okay with the slow-release?

constipation is definately my biggest concern with increasing my iron itake. it's been my nemesis this entire pregnancy, so I'm gearing up to combat constipation as a side effect of the extra Fe I'll be taking.

annabeanybee I will definitely start with loading my diet with iron-rich foods instead of going straight to a supplement. Thanks for the suggestion.

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

RachelCA29 said:

lauralou3x3 said:

I just started taking iron because my gummy prenatal doesn't have it. My OB told be to take around 16-30mg. I take walmarts brand slow release (it's waaaay cheaper). It's 45mg and I cut it in half. I may start taking the whole in a couple of weeks

Does the slow release help prevent constipation? I've had terrible constipation my whole pregnancy (like can't get out of bed from cramps) so my OB told me to take prenatal vitamins without iron for now, until mid-pregnancy blood work comes back, to see what my iron levels are like. But she did warn me if I was low, I would have to go on an iron supplement.

Have you been okay with the slow-release?

It's supposed to be better on your GI tract. That's what my OB suggested because I have IBS. I haven't been constipated yet more than a day. But I also take a gummy fiber/calcium so I think the extra fiber helps me stay that way. My OB said I didn't need it early on but said at this point, I need to start adding it. For the reasons you mentioned. I may go to a 3/4 of a pill and see how I do on that before I go to a full pill.

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

likeabel said:
@lauralou3x3 did your doctor suggest cutting the slow release tablet in half? I only ask because I believe if you take a broken slow release tablet it is no longer slow release. There are layers in the tablet that slowly dissolve, which results in a slow release. When you cut it, all of the layers are exposed and they all disolve right away. I would just double check the packaging to see if it says to not eat broken tablets.

No she didn't. I guess I didn't even think of that! I couldn't find anything lower than 45mg that was slow release so I figured cutting it in half was the solution. I will check on that!

likeabel · February 2014

@lauralou3x3 I just don't want you to get more constipated

Arinias · February 2014

I added in a 28mg iron supplement since my prenatals do not have any Fe. I have not had any issues with constipation but that has not been a symptom this pregnancy for me either. I do take it at night because I know sometimes it can make you a little nauseous.

jenb_99 · February 2014

There are iron supplements that claim to be non-constipating, though you'd probably have to read product reviews to see if the claims are accurate.

Some high-Fe Rx prenatal vitamins contain docusate sodium stool softener to combat the constipating effects of their added iron, so you could always just take a stool softener in addition to your iron supplement. Walmart's version of Colace is less than $2/bottle and you could probably get by with 1-2/day.

iadanza · February 2014

I haven't started taking extra Iron this pregnancy but I think I'm going to check with my provider about adding it because having another blood transfusion isn't in the cards for me (only 8-10% of units would match my blood type because I got some weird antibodies in my last transfusion

).

The one thing that I did want to mention about taking iron supplements is there are things that help it absorb better and things that hinder absorption. I highly recommend a regular stool softener if you have constipation... I was on 4 different kinds when I was taking iron and having iron infusions...granted I was on a VERY high dose because I was extremely anemic after having Montgomery but still, it's helpful to poop at least once a day... Here's some helpful information regarding it:

Iron is absorbed the best when taken on an empty stomach. However, some people have stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea when taking iron and may need to take their iron with a small amount of food.

Milk, calcium and antacids should NOT be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after ingesting these before taking your iron supplements.

Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include:

High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran
Foods or drinks with caffeine

Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill to increase absorption. Drinking 8 ounces of fluid with an iron pill is also okay.

RedInLove · February 2014

lauralou3x3 said:

I just started taking iron because my gummy prenatal doesn't have it. My OB told be to take around 16-30mg. I take walmarts brand slow release (it's waaaay cheaper). It's 45mg and I cut it in half. I may start taking the whole in a couple of weeks

This is me, my OB's office called it in today as I was slightly anemic on my blood draw yesterday. I'm going to try the Rx, and if that upsets my stomach or my stool then I'm going to switch to a slow FE OTC, or clear it through my OB to take a half dose of the Rx. I'll be 3Tri in about a week.

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

likeabel said:
@lauralou3x3 I just don't want you to get more constipated

As an IBS sufferer, I'm used to it lol. But luckily this pregnancy I've been more regular than I've ever been! Thanks for the advice.

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

Also, if any of you ever get constipated. Eat some flaming hot Cheetos. Guaruntee you'll poop!

RachelCA29 · February 2014

lauralou3x3 said:

Also, if any of you ever get constipated. Eat some flaming hot Cheetos. Guaruntee you'll poop!

This weekend I discovered Pumpkin muffins do the same! (Take a box of golden cake mix and use 2 cups of canned pure pumpkin - not pumpkin pie filling, instead of the required eggs, milk/oil the recipe calls for just use the pumpkin. Bake as directed. Yummy and they get things moving!!)

lauralou3x3 · February 2014

RachelCA29 said:

lauralou3x3 said:

Also, if any of you ever get constipated. Eat some flaming hot Cheetos. Guaruntee you'll poop!

This weekend I discovered Pumpkin muffins do the same! (Take a box of golden cake mix and use 2 cups of canned pure pumpkin - not pumpkin pie filling, instead of the required eggs, milk/oil the recipe calls for just use the pumpkin. Bake as directed. Yummy and they get things moving!!)

That's probably more pleasant than pooping after flaming hot Cheetos haha. Those sounds delish!

jfletcher3113 · February 2014

I take 35 mg twice a day but that's because my most recent blood work showed I'm anemic.

The doc told me it could make me constipated to which I replied, "welcome to my life since I saw that pink line". I really haven't noticed a change and, in fact, think I'm more regular now but I have no idea why.

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