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.
You may tire easily. You also may feel grumpy, have headaches, and have trouble concentrating. Most people begin to feel normal after a few weeks of taking iron pills. But you need to take the pills for several months to build up the iron supply in your body.
Oral iron supplements usually start working in about 3 to 7 days. But your hemoglobin levels could take up to 2 months to return to normal. Common side effects of iron include constipation, nausea, and stomach pain.
Some people may notice an improvement in energy and other anemia symptoms. People without noticeable anemia symptoms may see little change. People often begin responding to iron pills within 2 weeks . A doctor can monitor if supplementation is working by performing a blood test.
– It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks of taking regular iron supplements before your symptoms start to improve. – You may need to keep taking iron for several months to build up your iron reserves and keep your anemia from returning. Take your pills for as long as your doctor recommends, even if your symptoms have improved.
Weight gain related to iron therapy is a common problem in female patients with iron deficiency anemia. Patients under iron therapy should be counseled in terms of weight gain complication and benefits of diet and followed up serum ferritin and Hgb levels to prevent prolonged iron therapy.
Absorption of iron from the gut is reduced by food, tea and milk, so these should be avoided for one hour before and after taking the iron supplement. Some medications also affect absorption of iron from the gut, particularly medications which reduce stomach acid (antacids) and certain antibiotics.
Iron pills can change the color of your stool to a greenish or grayish black. This is normal, but because internal bleeding can also cause dark stool, be sure to mention any color changes to your doctor.
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.
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.
As tiredness or a lack of energy (fatigue) is commonly associated with a diet low in iron, it is likely to be the first change in your body that you notice when you take an iron supplement (2).
A large 2020 study in BMC Psychiatry found that people with iron deficiency anemia had a significantly higher incidence and risk of anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorder, and psychotic disorders.
The best way to determine whether iron pills are working is to check your ferritin levels via a blood test. A ferritin test will show how much iron your body stores.
Iron gives you energy because it allows your tissues, muscles and cells to receive and absorb oxygen.
If you take iron supplements, waiting at least one hour before having your coffee is best. This is because coffee and other caffeinated drinks can reduce iron absorption in the body. Waiting for an hour can give your body enough time to absorb the iron properly.
Iron is absorbed the best on an empty stomach. Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem. Milk, calcium and antacids should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements.
Poor quality supplements, nutrient interactions, and a loss of appetite are all potential side effects of taking iron supplements that can make you feel worse rather than better.
4. To reduce the risk of reflux, the person should not lie down for 30 to 60 minutes after taking the iron supplement.
Extreme fatigue. Weakness. Pale skin. Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath.
Consumption of iron and folate tablets with bananas can increase Hb levels quickly and can reduce side effects of nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Untreated iron deficiency anaemia: can make you more at risk of illness and infection – a lack of iron affects the immune system. may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs – such as an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart failure.
Tea, coffee and wine contain tannins that reduce iron absorption by binding to the iron and carrying it out of the body. Phytates and fibres found in wholegrains such as bran can reduce the absorption of iron and other minerals.
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.