Iron therapy, taking them the right way can make a big difference to how well they work and how you feel.
Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, so try to take it about an hour before food or two hours after. Taking it with a source of vitamin C, like a small glass of orange juice, can help your body absorb it better. Avoid taking iron at the same time as tea, coffee, milk, or calcium supplements, as these can reduce how much iron your body absorbs. Some medications can also interfere with iron, including antacids (such as omperazole and lansoprazole), indigestion remedies, and certain antibiotics (such as lymecycline and doxycycline), so leave a gap of at least 2 hours (sometimes longer, depending on the medicine). If you’re unsure ask your pharmacist.
Common side effects are usually mild but can include constipation, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, feeling sick, or dark (almost black) stools—this is normal and harmless. Constipation is quite common, so drinking plenty of fluids, eating fibre, and staying active can help. If side effects are troublesome, your GP may suggest trying a lower dose, a different type of iron, or taking it with a small amount of food.
If you are not anaemic but your iron stores are low or on the lower side of normal replnishing these stores can often help your symptoms such as hair loss and fatigue. You may not need to take prescribed iron but over the counter iron suppllements may suit you better as they have a lower content of iron and therefore have have less side effects to them. An example of this would is this iron preparation. You take 5 tablets every other day and most people tolerate it very well.
Another way to improve you iron levels in through your diet. There are many and varied foods rich in iron. Please click here for more information on ensuring you have a good dietary intake of iron.
Keep taking your iron as advised, even if you start to feel better, as it can take a few months to rebuild your iron levels.
Please contact the surgery three months after starting your iron treatment for a blood form so your levels and progress can be checked.
The hospital will only consider giving you iv iron if you are anaemic (not just low iron/ferritin), your iron levels have not improved with oral iron or you are unable to tolerate two different types of oral iron preparations.