Anyone have to take iron pills for low iron?

[tikilyn]

I have some questions. First off I have/had Graves Disease. I had a total thyroidectomy last October. I've been feeling off for a couple of weeks and went into my doctors office for a lab draw. For some stupid reason I asked her if she could also test my iron levels. Results came back and all my numbers look good except my iron. It's really low. The nurse called me with my results and just told me to go and buy some over the counter iron pills and take those for 30 days then come back in for another lab test.

So last night I took my first iron pill and I had the worste night in my life! I got so sick to my stomach and am still kind of sick to my stomach today. Of course I read that I should have taken the pill with a full stomach but it was bedtime and figured I would just sleep it off. I didn't sleep at all last night. I've have some food today but still feel horrible. How can I make taking these pills less painful? I have to take them but I don't want to be sick all the time. I don't have time to be sick. I guess I'm going to start eating a ton of beans (gosh I feel sorry for my family already).

 

[hinodis]

The first thing I would do is find out why your iron is so low. I recently had a major surgery and I had some bleeding in my abdoimin after the surgery and my iron got very low. I always took my iron pills on a full stomach with orange juice. The vitamin c will help with iron absorbtion. My iron levels bouces back quite quickly. Are you taking tyroid medicine? I am hypothyroid and I take armour thyroid. I hope it works better with a full tummy.

 

[RitaZ.]

I started taking Feosol. It's over the counter and it's what my doctor recommended. I have to go back for another blood test to see if it has made a difference. I can tell that it has, but I tend to forget to take it daily.

BTW, I haven't had any adverse side effects from taking the iron tablets. I do make sure to eat something when I take it. Vitamin C aids iron absorption. Try taking it with OJ.

 

[minkydog]

My DD16 was very anemic recently(we all suspect heavy periods and her vegetarian diet.) Her doctor put her on ferrous sulfate which can be acquired over the counter. It only took a month to bring her back up to speed. Of course, if the iron had not succeeded we would be following up with a hematologist.
DD found that she had to take iron with a meal. You can't take iron with calcium, either. It is very hard to get adequate iron from vegetables, although there are veggies that have more iron than others. For severe anemia, oral iron is the first best step. If the iron is not successful you would probably want to see a GI doctor and a GYN--those would be the most likely areas that would cause an adult woman to lose blood.

Give yourself a couple days to get past this episode, then give it another try.

 

[princesspiglet]

I take 750 mg of ferrous sulfate daily. I feel the effects if I miss even 1 day. I was a vegetarian for 12 years and along with my very heavy periods I became severly anemic. I have to make sure I take my pills with a full meal and a glass of orange juice. If I try to take it with a small meal, like a piece of toast for breakfast or a cup of soup for lunch, I end up getting sick. I always take it when I am finishing my meal so that the food is already in my stomach. I then drink an entire glass of OJ with each pill. Definetly try taking it with a full meal and OJ and you should be fine.

 

[mickeyboat]

Talk to your doctor. Maybe he has some suggestions.

When I was pregnant the iron in my prenatal vitamin was making me very constipated. My midwife suggested I eat Total cereal every morning instead. I got the same nutrients, and some fiber to boot.

Good luck!

 

[disneyatl]

Definitely take it with a meal and preferably a larger meal. You will definitely feel much better doing it that way. You probably won't have to be on it for long. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables and you won't have any problem.

 

[merryweather20]

START EATING CHEERIOS!

I had to take shots to boost my hemoglobin prior to double knee surgery. I came home from the hospital with a sheet of iron rich foods plus a presciption for iron pills, but you had to eat a bale of spinach, and even then you weren't getting anywhere. Chicken and any other foods had hardly any. Cram of wheat had some but, I couldn't each 4 bowls of cream of wheat a day

I by chance looked at the cheerios label it is just as good as cream of wheat, and easy to eat! I was kind of ticked off, at the hospital for leaving out cheerios, but I brought them a travel size box with the nutritional info and they had no idea!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Iron pills have a tendancy to do that to people. I can't tolerate them at all - tried various types - but I see a hematologist and receive iron infusions as needed.

Call your doc to see if they have another suggestion - there are some that are easier on the digestive system than others but I can't remember offhand what they are. It's been too long since I even gave it a try.

Your reaction was, sadly, pretty normal. I hope you can find something that works well for you!

 

[honugirl]

Try jarrow ironsorbs. I get them at one of those vitamin stores. That's what my endocrinologist told me to use. I haven't had a problem with them at all. I used to be on the regular iron pills and those made me sick, these don't. Good luck!

 

[Christine]

I take a low-dose iron from Natural Factors. It is Chelated Iron, 25 mg. It doesn't give me any side effects as some others did. Of course, my iron didn't go up as fast as it should have but it was a gentle way to do it for me.

My friend takes Feosol and it does give her an awful taste about an hour after she takes it, but then it goes away. So it doesn't last long. You may want to experiment around a bit.

Be careful with taking too much too soon. I think it's best to try to ease into the iron or you can get a LOT of GI distress. Many people start of with 2 Flintstones a day and then "graduate" to an iron tablet. It will take more than 30 days for your iron to go up by the way.

 

[C.Ann]

START EATING CHEERIOS!!

I'm another one who can't tolerate iron - AT ALL.. My solution is Cheerios as well - either the plain or the honey nut (which are great if you also need fiber) and for other vitamins and nutrients I'm lacking my doctor has me drink Boost.. So far, so good.. No nausea and no constipation!

DD has the same problem and deals with it the same way that I do - except she eats Total rather than Cheerios - and doesn't drink nearly as much Boost as I do..

 

[Christine]

I'm another one who can't tolerate iron - AT ALL.. My solution is Cheerios as well - either the plain or the honey nut (which are great if you also need fiber) and for other vitamins and nutrients I'm lacking my doctor has me drink Boost.. So far, so good.. No nausea and no constipation!

DD has the same problem and deals with it the same way that I do - except she eats Total rather than Cheerios - and doesn't drink nearly as much Boost as I do..

I have eaten Total every day for the past 10 years. No lie, it is my favorite cereal. It did NOTHING for my iron and, even eating all that Total, I was anemic.

I found out later that while the cereal is fortified, iron absorption is seriously blocked by two (of many) things: wheat and milk. So, when you're eating your Total (or Cheerios) you are getting very little of the iron that is put into that product.

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach because so many foods block the absorption. Tea is another big blocker. But if you can't take it on an empty stomach then something is better than nothing. It is best to pair it with a Vitamin C food like an orange. You can also get iron combined with Vitamin C (Vitron C) for higher absorption but I'm told that this one is big on causing constipation.

 

[C.Ann]

I have eaten Total every day for the past 10 years. No lie, it is my favorite cereal. It did NOTHING for my iron and, even eating all that Total, I was anemic.

I found out later that while the cereal is fortified, iron absorption is seriously blocked by two (of many) things: wheat and milk. So, when you're eating your Total (or Cheerios) you are getting very little of the iron that is put into that product.

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach because so many foods block the absorption. Tea is another big blocker. But if you can't take it on an empty stomach then something is better than nothing. It is best to pair it with a Vitamin C food like an orange. You can also get iron combined with Vitamin C (Vitron C) for higher absorption but I'm told that this one is big on causing constipation.

Well that's very interesting.. There must be something else that I'm doing right instead though (can't imagine what it could be), because all of my blood work comes back fine now.. I wonder if it's the Boost? Although each bottle is only 25% of the DV, I do drink up to 6 a day - as well as eating my regular meals (usually 2 a day).. I don't take any other vitamins (the B's make me deathly sick - as do the daily vitamins) so I'm not sure "what turned what around" for me..

Your info is good though.. I'm impressed!

 

[merryweather20]

I have eaten Total every day for the past 10 years. No lie, it is my favorite cereal. It did NOTHING for my iron and, even eating all that Total, I was anemic.

I found out later that while the cereal is fortified, iron absorption is seriously blocked by two (of many) things: wheat and milk. So, when you're eating your Total (or Cheerios) you are getting very little of the iron that is put into that product.

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach because so many foods block the absorption. Tea is another big blocker. But if you can't take it on an empty stomach then something is better than nothing. It is best to pair it with a Vitamin C food like an orange. You can also get iron combined with Vitamin C (Vitron C) for higher absorption but I'm told that this one is big on causing constipation.

"Very little" is a bit of an overstatement. Many things work against perfect iron absorption, but they don't whittle down the iron absoption to zero. Since it worked for me and my grandma, I have to call shenanigans on your post. Neither my grandma or I drink milk with it, but I don't buy "wheat" as the total absorption blocker you indicated it was. Cream of Wheat is widely recommended and it obviously has wheat in it. Cheerios wouldn't have much anyway since it lists Wheat starch fairly low on the ingredient list and "Whole Grain Oats" would exclude wheat.

Besides I'm from the camp that beleives Vitamins you ingest naturally work far better than popping pills.

 

[Christine]

"Very little" is a bit of an overstatement. Many things work against perfect iron absorption, but they don't whittle down the iron absoption to zero. Since it worked for me and my grandma, I have to call shenanigans on your post. Neither my grandma or I drink milk with it, but I don't buy "wheat" as the total absorption blocker you indicated it was. Cream of Wheat is widely recommended and it obviously has wheat in it. Cheerios wouldn't have much anyway since it lists Wheat starch fairly low on the ingredient list and "Whole Grain Oats" would exclude wheat.

Besides I'm from the camp that beleives Vitamins you ingest naturally work far better than popping pills.

I'm going to try really hard not to take offense at your remarks that I am "overstating" or up to "shenanigans." I thoroughly research every medical condition I might be diagnosed with and don't take the word of marketing on a cereal box.

To back up my shenanigans, I will provide you with just *some* of the information I came across when researching my condition. Also, I never said it was a "total" block, only that it definitely hampers absorption. Certainly it doesn't hurt to eat Cheerios or Total but if you are depending upon it for your full iron needs, you might be a bit surprised. The iron in these cereals is also not "natural", it is fortified by the manufacturer so it is like spraying vitamin pills on your food, not ingesting it naturally. And you are correct, oats do not block absorption of iron so finding some fortified-with-iron oat products would be a good bet, but wheat and dairy are culprits. Enjoy the below:

Some compounds are found naturally in foods that will limit iron absorption. The following foods, when eaten in large quantity, may prevent iron from being absorbed from the foods you eat.
When you eat foods that contain more vitamin C - like those below, you will increase the body's absorption of iron from foods.
• Whole grain cereals and breads - the phytates and fibers block absorption
• Milk and dairy products - the calcium and phosphorus block absorption
• Teas and coffee - Tannic acid found in tea / coffee prevent iron absorption

Bran is known to reduce iron absorption. There is, however, no information on the relationship between the amount of bran added and the decrease in iron absorption. In the present study a comparison was made of the iron absorption from a white wheat bread and a bread baked with different amounts of bran added (from 10 to 0.3%). There was a decrease in iron absorption from rolls baked with added bran in amounts equal to and greater than 3.3 %. A significant linear relationship was found between the ratio of absorption with/without added bran and the log amount of bran added. From the relationship observed it is concluded that addition of approximately 7% of bran to wheat bread decreases ironabsorption by a factor of two. It is considered reasonable to ascribe the marked reductionin iron absorption to the content of phytate in bran.

The marked inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption can almost completely be explained by its content of phytates. There are other inhibiting factor(s) as well in bran but they play only a minor role especially in meat containing meals. Several studies were made to clarify the role of phytates. Enzymatic dephytinization of bran almost fully removed its inhibiting effect. The same was observed when washing bran with hydrochloric acid. A "physiological" mixture of monoferric, potassium and magnesium phytates showed the same inhibition of the absorption of iron as bran with the same phytate content. There was a strong semilogarithmic relationship (r = 0.99) between the inhibition of iron absorption and the amount of phytates. As little as 5-10 mg phytate phosphorus added to a wheat roll containing 3 mg iron inhibited iron absorption by 50 per cent. Ascorbic acid as well as meat strongly counteracted this inhibition. It was concluded that if bran is used to increase the dietary fiber intake that would interfere with the absorption of iron. However, if the intake of ascorbic acid and/or meat are sufficiently increased in the bran containing meals that would effectively counteract the inhibition of the iron absorption by the phytates in bran (wheat fiber).
PMID: 2820048 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[Imzadi]

I had been diagnosed with slight anemia decades ago. I never really did much about it. Now and then I'd take some multivitamin with iron. Since I have a hard time swallowing pills, I finally switched to chewable Flintstones Complete. But even then I was only taking them sporatically.

I started perimenopause several months ago, and the past couple of months have been getting my period every two WEEKS! The periods have been heavier and lasting longer. I had headaches every day, some would turn into migraines. And body aches.

Only last week, I happened upon a Runners' forum where a thread was talking about Iron-deficiency anemia. OMG!!! I had every one of the symptoms the various members listed, it was about 10 symptoms. They said the symptoms of anemia creep up slowly, so you attribute it to other things.

One symptom was an intense craving and addiction for strong mints. I have been addicted to Altoids mints, like you wouldn't believe. I not only have to have them, I have to chew them.

Another symptom is heart arrhythmia (irregular or stopped heart beats) and hearing/feeling loud heart beats. This has only been happening recently. I might have a mitral valve prolapse, and originally figured it might finally be catching up with me.

I knew I should go to a Dr. or my GYN and finally get some tests run. But when I read that runners' forum, I almost ran right to the 24hr drugstore to get iron pills right then at 3am.

I headed to the health food store the next morning and they recommended Nature's Plus Hema-Plex to me. It's all natural & vegetarian. The sales clerk said it does not cause stomach or constipation problems as other iron supplements do. It has 85 mg of iron (472% RDA.) plus extra Vitamins B, C, folate, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Plus-Hema-Plex


I have been taking it for the past 5 days and already I feel quite a difference. I take 1/2 a tablet morning and the other half at night with my meals. I have had no stomach problems, making sure I have one on a full stomach. The other meals, I chew a Gummy Vites multivitamin with Vit D. (It has no iron.) I'm religious about taking all of these now.

My energy level is up. I actually have energy to clean the house. The cravings for mints are gone.

I'm pretty sure it's not a placebo effect. There are way too many symptoms that have been changed.

 

[Fire14]

I couldn't take the ferrous Sulfate for 2 reason I can't swallow pills and it made it sicker than a dog 15-20 min after taking. My MD put me of chewable iron pills but Walmart RX charges 25.00 for 60 tabs which doesn't even last me a month. I ended up taking kids chewable vits with iron and it seems to have helped but we shall see if it's enough.

 

[Imzadi]

I couldn't take the ferrous Sulfate for 2 reason I can't swallow pills and it made it sicker than a dog 15-20 min after taking. My MD put me of chewable iron pills but Walmart RX charges 25.00 for 60 tabs which doesn't even last me a month. I ended up taking kids chewable vits with iron and it seems to have helped but we shall see if it's enough.

I have a hard time taking pills. I liked the Flintstone's Complete. But it probably doesn't have enough iron for me now.

I recently saw this chewable iron tablet. It is much cheaper than the Walmart ones you mentioned.

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Plus-Chewable-

 

[Christine]

I had been diagnosed with slight anemia decades ago. I never really did much about it. Now and then I'd take some multivitamin with iron. Since I have a hard time swallowing pills, I finally switched to chewable Flintstones Complete. But even then I was only taking them sporatically.

My periods have always been heavy. Several years ago they got worse with the cramping, accidents and utter exhaustion. I'd only remember to take more iron then.

I started perimenopause several months ago, and the past couple of months have been getting my period every two WEEKS! The periods have been heavier and lasting longer. The exhaustion has been extreme and the moodiness unbearable. I've also been having memory problems and sometimes have problems concentrating even on simple tasks. (I have a genius I.Q. so stuff like that shouldn't have been a problem normally.)

Only last week, I happened upon a Runners' forum where a thread was talking about Iron-deficiency anemia. OMG!!! I had every one of the symptoms the various members listed, it was about 10 symptoms. They said the symptoms of anemia creep up slowly, so you attribute it to other things.

One symptom was an intense craving and addiction for strong mints. I have been addicted to Altoids mints, like you wouldn't believe. I not only have to have them, I have to chew them.

Another symptom is heart arrhythmia (irregular or stopped heart beats) and hearing/feeling loud heart beats. This has only been happening recently. I might have a mitral valve prolapse, and originally figured it might finally be catching up with me.

I knew I should go to a Dr. or my GYN and finally get some tests run. But when I read that runners' forum, I almost ran right to the 24hr drugstore to get iron pills right then at 3am.

I headed to the health food store the next morning and they recommended Nature's Plus Hema-Plex to me. It's all natural & vegetarian. The sales clerk said it does not cause stomach or constipation problems as other iron supplements do. It has 85 mg of iron (472% RDA.) plus extra Vitamins B, C, folate, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Plus-Hema-Plex


I have been taking it for the past 5 days and already I feel quite a difference. I take 1/2 a tablet morning and the other half at night with my meals. I have had no stomach problems, making sure I have one on a full stomach. The other meals, I chew a Gummy Vites multivitamin with Vit D. (It has no iron.) I'm religious about taking all of these now.

My energy level is up. I actually have energy to clean the house & tacke all the clutter that accumulated from the exhaustion. The memory & concentration problems are pretty much gone. The Altoids craving is gone today. And no more insane irritablilty!!! I'm sure many a DISer who I snapped at in recents months must be relieved over that one. I sincerely apologise to anyone I did snap at.

I'm pretty sure it's not a placebo effect. There are way too many symptoms that have been changed. Perimenopause has been making me bleed out nearly every day and moved me from being slightly anemic to majorly anemic. Even the dark circles under my eyes are lessened. And the sun/age spots on my face seem to be disappearing. There's much more color to my skin tone now.

I feel your pain!!! I had my iron-deficiency sneak up on me too! I just got to the point that I couldn't cope with anything mentally challenging, couldn't/wouldn't do ANYTHING on the weekend because I just lost all my get-up-and-go, I was freezing in the winter to the point that I severe chills/shakes and low body temperature in my house if the heat wasn't cranked up. I went from doctor to doctor and no one though anything of my hemoglobin being slight under the norm. Said I shouldn't feel as bad as I did and I was just "depressed." One doctor did decide to run a ferritin test which measures iron stores. A decent ferritin for a woman who menstruates should be about 70-75--mine was 5. The doctor kind of freaked out then. I had to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy. They did find some bleeding in my stomach due to Motrin use (who knew) and coupled with my fairly heavy periods (they aren't actually too bad), I was getting worse over time.

I don't think that the 5 days on that iron is placebo. While your levels are still probably very low, it is amazing how good the stuff will make you feel once you start building up. My ferritin is higher but now on the low end of normal, but I feel pretty good most of the time.

I am also wondering about the perimenopause stuff. I am 45 years old and for the first time in my life, I got a period only 17 days after the first one started. I'm sort of on the edge of my seat right now because it is not day 16 from that LAST weird cycle, I'm going to Disney tomorrow and I DO NOT want it to come again. I don't think I can take the blood loss!