iron supplements

I just heard that I passed my glucose test (yea!), but the doctor said my hemoglobin was low and I need to start some iron supplements. The nurse said to get coated tablets over the counter and to try them three times a week to see how I can tolerate them. I should have asked a few more questions. I have IBS with constipation which is somewhat better now that I'm pregnant (weird, huh), but I still struggle a little. I'm also on bedrest which doesn't help keep things moving down there. Any suggestions of supplements that will be easiest on my body? We don't have a GNC or anything around here. My only real options are Wal-Mart or the small town pharmacy.

 

I have IBS also and my nurse recommended SlowFe for my iron supplements.

I've been on them for the past 20 weeks, and they seem to have no effect on my digestive system, at all. (As in, it still sucks now like it did before I started them, but I'm no worse anyway.)

Good luck!

 

Congrats on passing the GD test!!!

I take fero sequel (sp) which the Ob put me on in addition to my prenatals from the get-go. They have a stool softener. They aren't so bad but they are a decent sized hunk of a pill!

 

Ask your OB for some samples. Mine gave me a bunch so I did not have to buy any.

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Nov 16 2007, 07:48 PM) [snapback]499430[/snapback]
Ask your OB for some samples. Mine gave me a bunch so I did not have to buy any.


heh. You're lucky I still have my receipt and it's right in front of me at the moment.

Floradix Iron + Herbs are amazing. Here's a website that has more information as to how well it's absorbed, non-constipating form, etc.

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/...ucts/r64771.asp

I asked my OB about taking prenatals with iron and iron and she said it was fine. But the iron in the prenatals are hardly absorbed, which is why you need a seperate supplement. Make sure any supplement you take is taken alone (with juice high in vitamin C is perfect) and on an empty stomach, 1/2 hour at the least before eating anything. You want to avoid the iron binding with anything.

You should also make sure you are eating more iron rich foods and in combination with other foods that will encourage absorption. Although heme foods are best: meats where the iron is already in the form you need it. Nonheme are good as well, but all around you have to watch what you eat or drink with it or around the same time. Coffee and Tea, Calcium (dairy products and milk) as well as several other foods can inhibit absorption of iron as it binds to it. Egg yolks (the whites actually inhibit iron absorption), chicken, turkey (dark meat is the best source), beef and pork to name a few (ps. pork is just as good as beef) Eat these things in combination with broccoli if you can. Turkey with cranberry sauce is a GREAT combination as the cranberries have high vitamin C.

HTH.

 

I also took Slow Fe...with a meal or it killed my stomach. Incidentally if anyone has pregnancy-induced restless legs, add'l iron helps control that. Good luck!