Spatone or Floradix tablets?

sunflowergirl

Hello,
I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been prescribed iron tablets by my GP for a low hb and low ferritin level.
I have took 3 a day for the last two weeks and they are making me feel so sick and rough.
I have decided to try a natural iron instead with the agreement of my doctor.

I have been looking at Spatone which is on a 3 for 2 in boots
and Floradix tablets from holland and barrett.

spatone works out as approx 42 days of treatment for £14 (2 sachets daily)
floradix tablets are approx 28 days treatment for £7.60 (3 tablets daily)

Has anyone tried these two brands and can offer their personal opinion on each?

Many thanks

teacup_2

Hi spatone is great and cannot taste it in orangejuice and I have never felt sick with it or had a tummy from using this. I use it for heavy periods which make me anemic.

floyd

I tried the spatone as well, its great if you knock it back in juice. No side effects for me either

JustKeepSwimming_2

Hi

I've taken SpaTone during both of my pregnancies & saw my iron level rise each time. I take it for a month every 6 months to help with my heavy periods & feel it helps.

It's best taken on an empty stomach with juice containing vitamin c such as orange or cranberry. Don't take it with tea or coffee as these can minimise iron absorption.

I work in healthcare & often recommend it to pregnant women who can't tolerated prescribed iron or those who are only midly anaemic.

HTH

sunflowergirl

Great! Spatone sounds like the one for me then, Thanks for the replies.

Nicki

I was recommended Floradix by my obstetrician after I lost a huge amount of blood after the birth of no 2 in conjunction with mega iron tablets, as an alternative to a blood transfusion. I took it in liquid form and it tasted vile, but did seem to do the trick. My GP was quite surprised given my blood count after the birth that it was virtually back to normal by the 6 week check.

sarah0404

I just got some spatone, but have been disapointed with it. Yes, you can hardly taste it in orange juice, but it has given me terrible heartburn, and upset my whole digestive system! It does say on the leaflet that it can cause problems "occasionally". The reason I decided to get it was that I didn't get on well with the ordinary ferrous sulphate. Supposedly spatone is more gentle on the digestive system. Just not on mine!

I have tried floradix liquid before, without any problems, but it tastes so foul! Glad to see that you can buy it in tablet form now.

I'm going to keep trying the spatone. Maybe just taking half a dose a day, as it does seem like a good way to build up your iron stores. I might go to Holland and Barret and buy some Floradix tablets too.

Am 32 weeks pregnant now, and had to have a blood transfusion last time, due to very low iron levels. Hoping to avoid that this time!

sunflowergirl

Thanks for the comments on floradix, I havent known anyone who has used it before.
My hb count two weeks ago was 9.9 and ferritin level 24.6, I did'nt think these levels were very low but I was getting breathless, tired and having numb fingers and toes.
I will be tested again in 2 weeks so I want to take the iron suppliment that will be as effective as the prescribed ferrous sulphate.
Are there any midwives on the boards who know which one is better absorbed? and what hb and ferritin levels are normal in pregnancy?

miffyhugmuffin

Hi, I'm not a midwife, but generally liquid is absorbed better than tablets, so liquid floradix or floravital? Also to increase your iron intake from natural sources try to eat vitamin C containing foods with iron-containig foods as the vit C helps the iron to be abosorbed. Good luck!