So my OB nurse called yesterday to let me know I failed the 1 hour glucose test (by 1 point, gah!) And now I have to take the 3 hour....also she said my iron is low and I'm slightly anemic. I have 2 different prenatal vitamins, gummies with no iron and another pill form that I never take because they are huge, and those do have iron. The nurse said to start taking an iron supplement (slow FE) to see if my levels go up. I took one yesterday afternoon, and it made me feel nauseous. So now I'm thinking I will take the prenatal with iron and eat more iron rich foods to see if that helps first, instead of taking the supplement. I just can't handle being nauseous again, I still have to take diclegis everyday to keep me from vomiting. Does anyone have experience with low iron levels or taking iron supplements? I'm hoping the iron in the prenatal will help, because I'm really struggling at work tonight, I feel awful. This is not a road I want to head down!
Re: Anemia/Iron deficiency
Iron is hard for the body to absorb and the supplements can have some side effects (like constipation, black poo - yes it wipes a charcoal grey/black!) so the medical advice I was given was also:
- eat more fibre to counter the constipation
- Increase vitamin C intake as that helps the body absorb iron - for example I've been advised to have a glass of fresh orange juice just before taking my supplements
- Calcium/dairy can block iron absorption so be careful about when you time your supplements
- Iron tablets are absorbed best on an empty stomach (with your orange juice wash down) but if you're getting uncomfortable side effects these can be mitigated by having them with a meal
- They can take upto 10 days before you feel an energy rise - I'm on day 6 and feel like the same limp lettuce leaf I did before
You can drive yourself crazy with the do's and don'ts, upto you how much to take in but I have found the orange juice tip, and having them with or just before a meal helps.
Thanks for the responses everyone!
Miscarriage 04/21/2015
Rainbow Sugar Baby due 04/22/2016, C Section Scheduled for 04/08/2016
https://www.amazon.com/Floradix-Floravital-Supplement-Extract-Formula/dp/B002F5GESU/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1453148625&sr=1-4&keywords=liquid+iron+supplement
I popped up as just barely under the levels they were looking for at my last appointment. They just said to up my red meat consumption. Best. Homework. Ever.