Low Iron

Pancake227 · July 2014

I searched and can't seem to find a thread on this. If there is one please send me the link.

My bloodwork came back with low iron. I have to take an iron supplement. I was wondering for those that take them what time of day you take it? It says take an hour before food but I eat small meals all day so that's impossible. I'm just looking for the least amount of side effects obviously. The doctor said it can cause constipation and I already take Miralax for that - lovely.

TIA!

fernane · July 2014

I had low iron also and take a liquid supplement called Floradix. It's only 10ml twice a day and I just take it before I eat something and that varies..n o side affects at all.

wrightpalomo · July 2014

My doctor advised me to take the slow-release iron after a meal and with orange juice (vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron). She said to not take it with my regular prenatal vitamin or any calcium supplements because calcium can inhibit your body's ability to absorb iron. So, I take it after breakfast because I usually have heart-burn later in the day and take Tums for that. I switched taking my prenatal from noon to 7pm to give the iron plenty of time to get processed. The slow-release iron can help you avoid constipation.

herecomesthesun086 · July 2014

I take my prenatal vitamin that contains iron in the morning then I tske my iron supplement at night with a small snack before I go to bed ... I don't take them on an empty stomach as recommended cuz it caused me to have awful stomach cramps ... It's recommended not to take iron with dairy as it can slow the absorption of iron

bf43005 · July 2014

I take my iron in the morning, usually with a glass of OJ (like PP said Vitamin C helps the iron absorb in your body), and a bagel. It's not a real meal but like you said I normally have small stuff all during the day, but I never take it on an empty stomach. I take the prenatal at night with dinner. I have been trying to eat more red meat but it's not something I really like. I got an OTC iron that was a low dose because I was just below the acceptable iron level and didn't want to cause constipation. Also it was cheaper LOL. I haven't had any issues thus far with constipation prior to the iron pill and now that I've been on the iron pill (about a month) I haven't noticed a difference.

keverest · July 2014

I have had to take an iron supplement since about 25 weeks, I usually take it at night after my nightly small bowl of cereal with my prenatal gummies and probiotic. No issues so far with constipation either, I swear by my probiotic (Culturelle) for solving all my digestion issues!

ashaw512 · July 2014

If you drink tea, decrease the amount of it that you drink bc it interferes with iron absorption. I have to take my iron with something bland and no calcium. Like PPs said calcium interferes with absorption too. And eat extra proteins and green leafy veggies like spinach.

Ecat504 · July 2014

I take an iron supplement pill. I usually take it right after dinner (7/8PM). And I take my prenatals around 8 AM. If I take them too close they make me sick. Also, I don't know if you drink tea but my doctor told me to stay away from teas cause they lower your iron too or something like that, (I don't really remember why, just that she said ease up on my tea intake). And green leafy veggies (since it's summer I've been eating sweet salads and they're so yummy and an amazing summer snack. I'll post a link to the one I eat)

https://m.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/spinach-and-strawberry-salad?__federated=1

Then I add in some extra berries (usually some chopped blueberries, but I'm sure whatever would work) I also throw in brocolli, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, beet roots, etc (whatever I have in the house usually) and put some poppy seed dressing
over it! It's so yummy!!

Eta: because poppyseed dressing is delicious, poopy seed is probably not.

Marchie1214 · July 2014

I was just told to take my iron supplement at a different time as my prenatal and antibiotics. And to increase the vitamin C I get.

GlitterMuffin914 · July 2014

During my last round of blood work my doctor let me know that at that point I was borderline anemic. She said my numbers were at a point where I wouldn't need supplements, but to try to eat more iron-rich foods more often. Some things she recommended were different kinds of beans, tofu, potatoes, healthy cuts of beef, chicken, etc., cereals with iron, nuts, etc. There are lots of foods that have higher iron content that you can easily incorporate more of into your diet.

ashley.hamilton13 · July 2014

I've got this problem too and need to take a supplement 3x a day. I was struggling with this too because all I do is and my stomach is almost never empty.

I take one as soon as I get up with a glass of OJ so it has time to absorb before I have breakfast. I always take one right before bed, usually I haven't had anything to eat for a few hours. I take the 3rd one before lunch or mid afternoon, just depends on my food intake that day. Oh I have been taking stool softeners here and there to help combat the constipation. GL!

Pancake227 · July 2014

Wow, thanks everyone!! My doctor also told me to increase red meat and spinach to help the iron increase more naturally. I started doing that too. I'll look into slow release and take it with OJ. I do drink tea but not enough that it should effect anything (like maybe once a week).

Thanks again!

brittneyandadam · July 2014

ambershaw512 said:

If you drink tea, decrease the amount of it that you drink bc it interferes with iron absorption. I have to take my iron with something bland and no calcium. Like PPs said calcium interferes with absorption too. And eat extra proteins and green leafy veggies like spinach.

This is only the case with teas that contain tannins...such as black teas and some green. You're ok with teas like rooibos and herbals :-)

ashaw512 · July 2014

brittneyandadam said:

ambershaw512 said:

If you drink tea, decrease the amount of it that you drink bc it interferes with iron absorption. I have to take my iron with something bland and no calcium. Like PPs said calcium interferes with absorption too. And eat extra proteins and green leafy veggies like spinach.

This is only the case with teas that contain tannins...such as black teas and some green. You're ok with teas like rooibos and herbals :-)
Thanks I didn't know that! I was just told tea in general bc I drink sweet tea like crazy!

dinodna3 · July 2014

I take mine in the morning like PP stated. My OB gave me a prescription iron pill that contains vitamin c and a some kind of anti-constipation medicine.

pinklillies610 · July 2014

After suffering with several days of bad dizzy spells my dr started me on iron for anemia. He said to make sure it was the slow release kind. So far no side effects and I take it on an empty stomach.

MrsKasel10 · July 2014

I seem to forget often so I just take it anytime I remember. I should figure out a specific time so I will remember.

Gizmo1231 · July 2014

I have to take double iron supplements- 2 60mg tablets. I take them spread out 1 mid-morning and 1 in the evening. I haven't had too much of an issue with constipation!

bodziochl · July 2014

I take Ferralet 90...one tablet at bedtime. The only side effect I have noticed is constipation, which I combat with Colace but have yet to find a happy medium between the two

blue+skies · July 2014

I have struggled with low iron this entire pregnancy, while everything else came back normal (there are other things that can affect iron absorption, so it's possible you are getting enough iron even though your levels are low - does that make sense?). Initially, I bought just a basic supplement from the grocery store, and my iron level actually dropped more. What I found to work for me was the Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Iron. I take dosage as directed, first thing in the morning. It's a little spendy (I order off amazon), but has definitely provided the best results for me. Good luck to you!

blue+skies · July 2014

BTW - calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, so do not take it at the same time as any supplement (pre-natal vite) that contains calcium. That is why it is not advised to take when you eat. If it upsets your stomach and you need to take it with food, then make sure it doesn't contain calcium. Most OJ contains calcium so I wouldn't take it with OJ.