Hello!

Iron deficiency and what did you do to overcome it? Iron tablets cause constipation and its just not something I can take regularly. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated


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  • While comments are interesting. I have a 4 year old child that hos low iron anaemia and is now refusing the liquid and gummies


  • The only thing that didn’t make me feel sick or dizzy was the Maltofer liquid


  • Drink more water?
    Eat cereal and milk.
    There is a iron supplement with pro biotics by swisse. These are really good.
    Make sure you do not eat meat, if you can help it, also do not drink alcohol, this destroys the gut biome. Meat makes the gut biome awful, probably drink 40% grain alcohol before the probiotic course, if safe to do so. This will kill all the bacteria in the biome and then you can put nice ones back.

    Tummy bacterias can have wars.

    Psyllium husk is very good additive to smoothies that can help with constipation. (metamucil but not priced for a person who drives too many cars).

    Maca root helps balance hormones and helps arousal. Very good for the bowels as well. Helping your hormonal balance naturally can change your periods as well. This could help your iron deficit, but you should probably pay attention to whether it is, no harm in trying.


  • I’ve been battling with anaemia for years. If you are finding yourself constipated, you could try reducing the dosage that you are taking. I use Ferro F Tab boxes of tablets, they seem to be pretty good for me. I have only ever been constipated a couple times and not for long. The increase in iron can tend to make the stools hard and dark in colour.
    I was told by a doctor some time ago that you shouldn’t stay on iron tablets indefinitely. So usually, I take them when I am feeling low energy – there are often signs like eyelid flickering, feeling irritable and just fatigued. If I feel like that, I will generally try taking one tablet per day for a week and then stop.
    You can also try increasing iron intake in the foods you eat. There is a good supply in red meat, green leafy vegetables, wholemeal products including bread, even weet-bix and other cereals. Would pay to see if you can google a list of what foods have the best iron supply and work out what you would like to eat from there.
    I am at a point now where I can go for weeks at a time without taking tablets and feel fine. It’s usually good to also take them around your period, however, as you are losing iron then.
    Hope this helps!


  • I believe leafy greens and red meat are high in iron. And they’re yummy


  • Liquid iron tastes gross but it is very effective.


  • Dont take any iron tablets before you so see your Dr as some Iron tablets dont basically work the GP might suggest a Iron Infusion they are Brilliant work and no sickness


  • Maltofer iron drink over the counter helps me. Eating leafy greens will also give you an iron boost


  • You could try iron in liquid form? It tastes disgusting, but you might find it better for you.


  • Request an iron infusion, works better and more efficiently anyway. Iron rich foods – really depends if your body can absorb it or not from foods


  • Maltofer is better and fibre supplements.


  • As some others have mentioned, there are multiple different types of supplements you can take, some that are more gentle on your tummy. I’d definitely ask pharmacist or GP for most gentle. Even if it’s not as strong, if you can take it more often that’s better.. and not within roughly an hour of caffeine or dairy to allow it to absorb.
    Also taking vitamin c with it helps it to absorb.
    and again as has been mentioned, diet is huge, leafy greens, red meats, etc.


  • One tip I’ve learned is to cook meat in an cast iron pan, it increases iron absorption by like 85% I think. Also have vitamin c with any iron you eat. So steak and a slice of orange or lemon on the side is great!


  • Try to include beans and leafy greens in your diet.


  • I have an iron fish as one of the commenters said. Great product and a way people often don’t know about to get extra iron in.


  • I’ve never been any good at absorbing iron from tablets so I get an iron infusion on once or twice a year


  • Our family eats very little meat and I am concerned that they may be low in iron. I use an ‘Iron Fish’ in my cooking. Once any initial low iron levels have been rectified, this may be something that you may like to look at. https://luckyironlife.com/


  • I’ve always had trouble with really low iron. I did used to have iron infusions but haven’t had to have them since taking the iron supplement brand Ferrograd C.
    Also make sure you are taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Do not take with milk/ dairy as it won’t be absorbed as well


  • I bought beef liver capsules for Iron deficiency as they are particularly high in iron, as I couldn’t eat fried chicken or beef liver.


  • Please do not take medical advise from others. Seek the help of your local GP. They can put a plan in place for you in terms of vitamins and iron enriched foods. This is what my GP did to raise my iron levels, along with regular testing to check levels, to ensure I did not need to go down the path of a transfusion


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