Gastrointestinal side-effects are the most commonly reported adverse effects associated with oral iron treatment and include nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, and black or tarry stools [11,12,13,14,15].
Taking iron tablets can turn the stool a dark, almost black color (actually dark green). This is normal, and does not mean that the iron tablets are causing GI bleeding. Children are at particular risk of iron poisoning (overdose), making it very important to store iron tablets out of the reach of children.
It is a well-known fact that iron supplements cause in addition to stomach pain and nausea (more seldom) constipation – the most likely side effect. Why does iron cause constipation? Iron supplements cause constipation because the absorption of iron is weak – from food as well as from supplements.
You may notice the presence of black, tarry or maroon stools when you have a bowel movement. This may mean that your blood loss is coming from higher up in the intestinal tract, causing iron deficiency. You may have stomach pain or abdominal cramping with your bowel movements.
What are the risks of taking iron supplements? As mentioned earlier, iron can upset your stomach, causing either constipation or diarrhoea, indigestion or stomach pain. Iron supplements may turn your stools black; this is a harmless side effect.
According to a specialist, you should take iron early in the morning to have a good effect, because at this time the body has just undergone a long sleep and this period is when the calcium and iron levels in the body are at a low level. best. Therefore, every day taking iron in the morning is what experts recommend.
Symptoms of the conditions (associated with bleeding) that cause iron deficiency anemia include: Dark, tar-colored stools or blood in the stool.
Most people with iron deficiency have no symptoms, so taking iron pills may not result in any obvious changes to how they feel. A doctor can verify if the pills are working via a blood test. However, if a person does have anemia symptoms, they may notice they get better or go away entirely.
While there's little scientific evidence backing this claim up, weight gain from iron pills does happen 6. One study found that individuals with iron deficiency anemia complained of weight gain during their treatment, even though oral preparations of iron aren't known to cause weight gain as a side effect.
If constipation becomes a problem, take a stool softener such as docusate sodium (Colace). Nausea and vomiting may occur with higher doses, but they can usually be controlled by taking the iron in smaller amounts.
Another reason why you might be feeling worse after taking iron supplements is that you might have chosen the wrong one. Certain kinds of iron, such as heme-iron polypeptide (HIP) are better suited for those who have difficulty digesting regular kinds of iron like ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
In general, patients with iron deficient anemia should manifest a response to iron with reticulocytosis in three to seven days, followed by an increase in hemoglobin in 2-4 weeks.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
However, too much iron is toxic. Excess iron gets deposited in your organs, and this then interferes with normal body functions, as well as the production of hormones that regulate your metabolism and sex drive. Not surprisingly, you don't feel well.
See your GP if you experience symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, such as tiredness, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. A simple blood test can usually confirm the diagnosis. Your GP may also carry out a physical examination and ask you a number of questions to help determine the cause of your anaemia.
Most people feel better after taking ferrous fumarate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to work fully.
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
Your doctor will need to know what's behind your anemia. If you have symptoms such as blood in your stool, chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, inability to hold your stool, heartburn, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss, let your doctor know right away.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.
In healthy people, taking high doses of iron supplements (especially on an empty stomach) can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large amounts of iron might also cause more serious effects, including inflammation of the stomach lining and ulcers.
Common iron supplement side effects include constipation, diarrhea, dark stools, and a metallic taste in your mouth.
Although the supplement works best on an empty stomach, you may want to take it with food so it doesn't upset your stomach. You shouldn't take iron supplements with milk, caffeine, antacids or calcium supplements.