OTC Medicine for Iron Deficiency

Updated on March 22, 2010
M.B. asks from Austin, TX
19 answers

Hello,
I am about 18 weeks pregnant with my 2nd one. My hemoglobin levels are found out to be low and need to take iron supplement. I had same issue with my first pregnancy. I am trying to find out something that would help me increase iron level without getting constipated. Also, what was the average recommended dose of iron for those who needed to take it(e.g. 20mg/tablet or 40mg/tablet). I get constipated even with my prenatal and now adding another iron rich tablet would only worsen the problems.
Thanks for your suggestions,

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K.F.

answers from College Station on

Well, the answer to this is simple. I went through this with all 4 of mine. Take a LOT of stool softeners (as many as they allow on the bottle) AND eat a LOT of fiber and iron rich foods (spinach, broccoli, etc) Look up iron rich foods and fiber rich foods and put it into a blender and drink it really fast and you will be fine. There are things you can do do make it taste better and google has masses of interesting recipes for fiber and iron rich shakes that you can down as many times a day as you need to to get what you need. Adjust it until you are getting the right amount and voila. done.

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K.G.

answers from Austin on

Flordix vitamin supplement it's great you can buy it at Sunharvest, probably wholefoods and maybe central market.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. Like others have suggested, I used Slow FE - it's at Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger etc...

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B.J.

answers from College Station on

The doctor who diagnosed your deficiency should have recommended dietary changes or a suppliment for you. If s/he did not, you should get in touch with the office and ask for suggestions.

Best wishes,
B.

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L.K.

answers from Odessa on

Trust me if you take your iron in the long run you will feel so much better. I recommend the Slow FE iron tablets. If you take some vitamin C in addition to the iron it will help with absorption. To help with constipation (which can be awful) take Colace. Start out taking 1 tablet a day for a week and see how that works, if you find you need more you can up the dose.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi MB,

I know of an incredible absorbable prenatal that has absorbable iron in it as well. Most vitamins list the "amount" of vitamin in it but it doesn't matter how much it shows if it doesn't absorb. I know that happens with the iron on the label as well. I have a friend that was needing extra iron and when she changed to this vitamin, the need for the extra iron went away and she had more energy too. I have not heard anyone complain about constipation with it either.

Let me know if you'd like some information. I'd like to help!

M.

J.L.

answers from Clarksville on

Floradix is an excellent iron supplement and wn't cause constipation.

http://www.floradix.net/

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

During my second pregnancy, my iron levels were low, and my OB/GYN recommended the following OTC pills:
http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Fe-Release-Tablets-60-Count/dp...

That being said, I'd never advise taking anything during pregnancy without first discussing it with your OB/GYN. I'm not familiar with the doses, side effects, etc.

If you're having a problem with constipation, I'd ask about adding fiber supplements or even something like senna (if they're advised during pregnancy).

Best wishes.

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J.S.

answers from San Antonio on

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. I almost had to have a blood transfusion. I'm now 2 years post partum and had another blood test and it is still low so I'm back to taking 2 pills a day. I guess my body just doesn't absorb it well. When I was pregnant I had to take 3 pills a day and I too was worried about constipation but, it turned out that I was more regular. I think maybe because my body was so inefficient that once I started getting what I needed it aligned itself back up. That's what happened for me. Drink lots of water and take some fiber to help out.

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

BEEF! All natural (mostly) and an awesome source of iron. That is what I craved when I was pregnant. I ate beef just about every night. Never had an issue with iron.

Or you can get an iron and folate supplement. I use one from Nutralite, but I am sure there are plenty out there.

Good Luck! and Congrats!

M..

answers from Orlando on

About three weeks ago I was told by my doctor that I have VERY LOW iron and that I need to go and pick up some iron and take it. Well I went to
Wal-Mart and got the reg. iron pills and I took one one night and the next night I took another one. On the 3rd day, I WAS IN PAIN. MY STOMACH WAS HURTING ME SO BAD AND I COULDN'T GO #2 . I stopped taking the iron pills and I couldn't go #2 for 5 days. = (
I was in pain and I had to take a laxative to go.

A good friend of mine told me about Slow Fe.

They sell it OTC. So I got it at walmart.
I take one a day and I am doing GREAT.

I have no pain and I have no problem going #2. Yea!!

I just found out two days ago that I am pregnant and I need to ask the Dr. if it is ok for me to keep taking.

I wish you the best.
Congrat's to you for your new little bundle of Joy.

God Bless ♥

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi
You may want to check out Shaklee's vitamins. You can use the Liqua Lea or Vitalea with Iron. The Fiber tabs will take care of the constipation.\
You can find them at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
Shaklee is the number one seller of natural supplements. They are safe and effective.
I had to have open heart surgery to fix a hole in my heart. My hemoglobin dropped very low and the doctor wanted to give me a transfusion. I asked for one day to correct the problem myself. Of course he thought I was crazy! I took 3 doses of the Liqualea and my count was normal the next morning. They couldn't believe something could get into my system that quickly.
Victoria

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

any iron is gonna constipate you. try slow FE and put a stool softener(colace or the generic version preferably) with it. did you ask your OB or midwife?

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K.P.

answers from Austin on

I was diagnosed yesterday with anemia. I have been instructed to take 325mg of ferrous sulfate twice a day PLUS 5 additional grains every day.

I also take Colace with my prenatal to help keep things moving along. Which I understand is important for your first movement after birth as well.

Good luck!

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J.L.

answers from Austin on

This is unfortunately not uncommon and the answer is to use Floradix - OTC at People's Pharmacy: all natural, very effective, non-constipating and otherwise completely safe. I've used it during my second pregnancy and also for my patients. Inorganic Iron supplements are also very h*** o* your Kidneys and only about 5% is absorbed anyway. Good luck, and eat lots of dark green leafy veggies!

J. Lee
www.artofmedicine.org

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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am currently taking one slo FE tablet a day (45mg I believe) with a fiber tablet no issues at all with constipation. I also take iron fortified muli vitamins. I would start taking the fiber table first thing with the iron pill.

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N.M.

answers from Austin on

The best supplement I've taken is Floradix. You can also cook with an iron skillet to add iron to your diet.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

what if you uped your fiber intake? fiber cererals are really good for this. also be sure to drink lots and lots of water. what about taking a probiotic capsule. ask your doctor before though. not sure if those will help. i eat plain non fat yougart, dannon brand seems to be a better flavor. you can add fresh fruit. for a while i even would put some sugar free crystal lite pink lemon aid powder packets and mix it in the yougart. a little goes a long way though with those packets.

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