LOW IRON - PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Anybody experiencing low iron during pregnancy. Mine was fairly ow at 10.9. The doctor put me on an iron pill, but I just can't take it. It makes me burp all day and it taste so bad it makes me sick feeling. Also, it makes my throat feel like it is burning. Does anybody know of another iron pill to take that you can't taste? Like a gel pill or something. PLEASE HELP!!!

[slhc70]

I too was told that my iron was low and was anemic--I went to Walgreens and bought their brand of Iron pills--I take it right before I go to bed at night(they say not to take within 2 hours before or after using any antacids or milk products) I was also told that if the iron pills make you sick to your stomach to just double up on your prenatal vitamins---My doctor said to take the Iron pills with Vitamin C enriched drinks but I have found that orange juice gives me the worst heartburn--so I drink with either cranberry juice/water/ and or diet soda--since I have switched taking them from during the day until later at night I havent had any more problems.Hope that helps.

[shelbert6]

I really don't know of an iron pill that doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth.  Even the liquid for children does the same thing.  Considering that 11.0 (11.5 in some labs depending on age and gender) is normal, maybe a Hgb value of 10.9 can be successfully treated with foods that are iron-rich, such as grean leafy veggies, liver, red meats, iron-enriched grains, and so on. Slhc70 was right about Vit. C.  Vit C helps the body to absorb iron.  So a diet high in Vit C would be recommended, too.  Check with your OB for a list of foods that are iron-rich and high in Vit C., and ask if it would be possible to successfully treat your iron-deficiency with an iron-rich/high Vit C diet, instead of the iron pill.

Tis the best solution I can think of.

Regards,
Shelly

[jennylynne]

I am also anemic and at 34 weeks. I have been taking iron for about a month now and it has made an incredible difference in my energy level. I'm taking something called "Slow-Fe". It's a slow release tab and i haven't had any trouble with it. I take it mid-morning between meals...and with orange juice. My Ob told me that the body absorbs iron much more readily from a supplement than it does from iron-rich foods. Hope this helps...Jennifer

[Onceinawhile]

Target also has a slow release iron tablet now too - much cheaper than slo-fe but in my opinion works well too.

[Kerzie11]

I am 34 weeks pregnant and was told this morning that I have low iron.  I will begin taking an iron supplement tonight.  I have a feeling I am going to deliver this child early becasue my first son was born 16 dyas early.  What does it mean if I have low iron when I deliver?  Should I be worried?

[BearHitch]

My iron levels were where yours are back a few weeks ago at like, 34 weeks I think?  Anyway, I didn't bother with an iron supplement (they are really gross for me too!).  I would HIGHLY recommend adding some cream of wheat to your diet, or mini wheats as 1 serving of that has 90% your daily iron needs I believe.  Those two are very good and then I also have found that honey nut chex mix and King Vitamin cereal also have very good levels of iron in them (had to discover these as DS was very anemic as well!).  

[a383]

Hi
The only thing that helped me increase my iron was intravenous iron infusion therapy as recommended by my hematologist. This can be done at your local hospital and it can take up to 7 hours depending on how much iron they're going to administer/how low your iron levels are. Also it's a slow process because they need to test for any allergic reactions. It's painless, you basically sit back in a recliner chair and watch tv/read/listen to music. After about six weeks your blood test should show a significant increase in your iron level. I had mine done over 6 months ago and my iron level is still high, I'm told it's supposed to last you a year and I've only ever had it done once. Eating a healthy diet and taking iron tablets for over 6 years didn't help in my case. Hope this helps.