[jhatfield]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can recommend some good iron supplements? I have been taking Floravital religiously twice a day since I last had a blood test but the latest test shows my iron levels have dropped not increased! My doc wants me to take ferrograd c which i did last pregnancy but made me feel crap so I'm reluctant to take it again. Anyone else have any experience with Floravital not working or can recommend any other (non constipating!) iron supplements?

Thanks in advance

[Mum2TwoDSs]

Try Spatone avail in pharmacies. It is natural and wont cause constipation. But take it with juice for best absorption. I take it with Ribena cos the iron taste is very strong. For constipation I take pear juice every day.

[MaybeMumSoonish]

Sorry jhat, can only advise Ferrograd plus a really big glass of pulpy oj when you take it - that cleared up my anemia real quick, and the oj helped prevent the constipation.
Have you ruled out everything that could be lowering your iron levels? Some foods can block it from being absorbed.

[noi'mnot]

Similar to PP, the only thing (and I tried everything!) that got my iron levels increasing was Ferrograd. Take it with OJ, make sure you're having PLENTY of fruit, and try to go for a walk every day - this might help with the constipation. If you're still having trouble you might need to talk to a pharmacist or doctor about the constipation.

It's really not worth being iron deficient when you're pregnant. It's no good for your energy levels, you really need that stuff. I was low before my baby was born (even with the ferrograd, mainly because I didn't take it often enough) and had a PPH, and having been low beforehand just meant that it took me even longer to recover.

I'm not trying to scare you, just trying to say take care of yourself now because it will help in the long run. Good luck!

[Phascogale]

Spatone has the equivalent of 5mg of elemental iron in it.
Floravital has the equivalent of 10mg of elemental iron.

Ferrograd has 100mg.

Okay spatone and floravital may be absorbed more but you still get way more iron from the ferrograd because of the higher amounts in it.

You may get away with taking it every couple of days. But to ease the constipation you could take something like metamucil and drink lots of fluids

[jhatfield]

oh thanks guys! i didn't actually look at the iron content of the natural ones v ferrograd so i guess i better take it cause i know i do have low energy levels and trying to work, look after a toddler and being pregnant i really need the energy! plus i obviously want the to make sure new bub is getting enough iron as well. Thanks for the tips on easing the constipation, i will give them a go!

Cheers

[teenie]

Spatone has the equivalent of 5mg of elemental iron in it.
Floravital has the equivalent of 10mg of elemental iron.

Ferrograd has 100mg.

Okay spatone and floravital may be absorbed more but you still get way more iron from the ferrograd because of the higher amounts in it.

You may get away with taking it every couple of days. But to ease the constipation you could take something like metamucil and drink lots of fluids

This! Was just about to put up equivalent doses too! And the claims that they are absorbed better etc may be true but it still in no way compensates for the fact that they are low dose supplements, they are not designed to REPLACE iron in women that are already deficient. As a pregnant women your daily requirement for iron just to maintain your current levels are well over 20mg per day elemental iron.

This would be why your GP is encouraging you to use ferrograd c. Unfortunately I think these finer details regarding iron supplementation compared to iron replacement when you are actually deficient to start with aren't well publicised by companies wanting to sell their particular iron preparation!

Good luck OP, just saw your update.

[MickeyBoo]

I take Fefol, and two vitamin C tablets and that seems to be enough.

[Chelara]

Wow I had a big pph needing transfusion, took he spatone. I was advised by the Ob hat I would need supplements for at least three months, at my six weeks check I was told to stop taking anything as my levels were back to normal. I was also breastfeeding. I think some people obviously absorb iron much more easily than others.

[bbsmummy]

I was on fefol, for some reason it gave me the runs and nausea and vomitting so ob suggested 'Thompsons Organic Iron' and it doesn't make me sick at all.