Iron tablets...

SmileyHappyBeing

Hi everyone,

Tried googling for info but didnt come up with much, Ive just been told I'm anaemic and started takin iron tablets yesterday (2 x 200mg twice daily), and am wondering how long before they will start to take effect...

Thanks !

miss_pink

Hi, iv been taking them on and off for about two years. Not too sure how quick they work but I know that for the best results try to either take them with vitamin C or a big drink of organge juice as the vitamin C helps the Iron to be absorbed into the blood. I have found that food such as red meat and green veg are also good. xxx

sweetmoneysaver

They can take about 2 months before the full benefits start to show. Make sure that you watch your stomach as the tabs can upset things and you will notice very dark stools which is common with taking iron tabs. The vitamin C tip given by miss_pink is a good one but be careful not to take too much vit C as this can also give you stomach problems if taken in excess. Also any vit C not absorbed by the body just comes out in urine.

SmileyHappyBeing

Thanks you two... I'll give the vit c ago.. 2 months oh dear... I was hoping for fast relief.. Ahh well, at least I'm one step closer

pnq06

Blimey- 2 months :eek:

I've just been put on them by my midwife and haven't got 2 months to go!!!

sweetmoneysaver

Hopefully you will see some effects much quicker than that but when I had them I was told that it would take a couple of months to sort things out. However, when pregnant any rise in haemoglobin should help and your midwife has probably put you on them to get your haem levels up. You normally get to have regular blood tests so that the heam levels can be monitored and you'll get a good idea of whether they are working. As miss_pink mentioned there are sources of iron in certain types of food. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

kickstart_3

Be careful , iron tablets make some folk constipated !

pnq06

kickstart wrote: »

Be careful , iron tablets make some folk constipated !

Tell me about it- I'm also on fibogel

sharondt

Although not particularly cheap, one alternative to those disgusting iron tablets is a herbal remedy called floradix, or floradex. Its available from health food shops and its much nicer. Its full of nettles, rosehips etc and tastes very sweet (its a syrup). I took it following the birth of my son years ago, on the recommendation of my midwife (not good to be constipated after the birth coz of stitches, pelvic floor etc), and ten days later my blood test was back to normal. (and I wasnt constipated with black po*!)

pnq06

There's just no dignity for pregnant women Although I'll ask my MD next time I see her

Thanks... xx

taxi97w

Boots do over the chemist counter generic iron tablets called Ferograd. There is also Ferograd C. I can't remember the milligrams but the price is much cheaper, around 0.97p for 16 tablets.