Can Iron Pills Give You Diarrhea

Can I Have Diarrhea If I Take Iron Supplements

Iron supplements can generate gastrointestinal side effects including diarrhea. If an individual develops diarrhea, abdominal discomfort or other digestive issues and currently using iron supplements, a doctor should be consulted to ensure that the individual is using the proper amount of iron to meet with the nutritional needs. If the diarrhea is blood streaked, it indicates that the individual has taken too much iron and requires immediate medical care.

Does Taking Iron Turn My Stool Black

You may have noticed after taking iron that your stools have turned black or dark green. While your first reaction might be, Yikes! Something might be wrong, dont be alarmed.

Black or dark stools are a common side effect that may be the harmless result of unabsorbed iron. Whether you are taking iron supplements alone or a multivitamin with iron, you may experience this.

Other things that may cause black stools include:

Check with your doctor or healthcare provider to find the cause of black stools.

Side Effects Of Liquid Iron

Liquid iron supplements are an alternative to traditional iron supplements for people intolerant to conventional iron supplements, but they are not without side effects. One of the most common side effects of liquid iron is black stained teeth. Some doctors suggest taking liquid iron mixed with orange juice and taken through a straw, to avoid stained teeth. On top of this, those who take liquid iron might also experience:

• Stained teeth
• Black or dark stool

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What Is The Normal Dose Of Iron Supplement

What is the normal dose of iron supplement? The typical supplement dosage for treating anemia is 150 to 200 milligrams each day, which amounts to 2 to 5 milligrams of iron per kilogram of body weight, states the American Society of Hematology. Dont attempt to treat anemia on your own, though.

What happens if you take too much iron? Excessive iron can be damaging to the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms of iron toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Over time, iron can accumulate in the organs, and cause fatal damage to the liver or brain.

What is the recommended iron per day? Recommended Intake. Men and women over 50 need at least 8 milligrams of iron per day, while women 50 and under need at least 18 milligrams of iron per day. You shouldnt consume more than 45 milligrams of iron per day from supplements or food, as this could cause toxicity symptoms.

What is the max amount of iron per day? According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the maximum safe level for iron is 45 milligrams per day for all adults. However, if you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may require higher doses of iron until the iron levels in your body return to normal levels.

Do I Need To Take A Stool Softener With Iron

Though it may seem obvious, stool softeners are medications that soften your stool so that they are easier to pass. They are recommended when a person strains while eliminating or has difficulty during defecation, a condition referred to as occasional constipation.

Some oral iron supplements may result in gastrointestinal upset and occasional constipation. Your doctor may recommend stool softeners if you are experiencing constipation .

Taking an alternative form of iron, like Feosol Natural Release may minimize gastrointestinal complaints when compared to irons salts such as ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate.

Most users do not find it necessary to combine Feosol Complete with a stool softener. The two types of iron that make up Feosol Complete, heme and non-heme iron, maximize absorption while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and constipation.

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Do Iron Tablets Cause Sickness

Asked by: Mrs. Sincere Nikolaus

Iron is best absorbed 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.

What Are The Side Effects

It is important to note that iron transports oxygen in the red blood cells and takes part in the production of energy in the body. If the individual is at risk for iron deficiency due to pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, lack of iron in the diet, bleeding condition or another health issue, the doctor might recommend iron supplements to help the individual meet with his/her daily requirements.

The typical side effects of iron supplements involve the gastrointestinal system. The usual side effects include the following:

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

The iron supplements taken orally can also cause black stools that can be mistaken as an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding. Black stools that occur once the body breaks down the iron in the supplements are a harmless side effect.

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What Are The Most Commonly Used Drugs That Can Lower Your Potassium Blood Levels

• Thiazides

Diuretics cause hypokalemia by inducing potassium loss in the kidney

Diuretics are commonly used with patients having hypertension , heart failure, swelling, and edema. Potassium is lost with excessive water loss by the action of these medications. Thus, diuretics, which increase urination, could increase your potassium loss in the urine leading to a low potassium blood level.

A study showed that hypokalemia is commonly reported in older patients with hypertension more than in those with normal blood pressure. Moreover, hypokalemia occurrence was higher in hypertensive patients treated with potassium losing diuretics, and prevention of diuretic-induced hypokalemia with oral supplementation of potassium seems to be insufficient.

• Prednisone

Iron Needs Of Babies And Children

Iron is a mineral that babies and children need for good health and development.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to all cells in the body. Our bodies need iron to make hemoglobin. Iron gives red blood cells their colour. When you dont have enough iron, red blood cells become small and pale. They cant carry enough oxygen to your bodys organs and muscles. This is called anemia.

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The Vicious Cycle Of Anemia

And thus begins what I like to call the Vicious Cycle of Anemia. This is how it goes: Your physician recommends oral iron supplements, you start taking the them but they make you feel worse so you stop taking them, you ignore your condition and your iron levels continue to plummet. Before you know it, you’re at rock bottom in terms of iron deficiency and you’re too foggy and depressed to even do anything about it. This is where you can really find yourself in the danger zone…even close to heart failure like I was!

Getting The Most From Your Treatment

• The length of your course of treatment will depend upon how low your iron levels are. A blood test after a few weeks will show if the treatment is working and your doctor will tell you for how long you should continue to take the iron supplement.
• If you buy any medicines, check with your pharmacist that they are suitable to take with iron supplements. Some medicines can interfere with the way iron is absorbed and so should not be taken at the same time.
• Iron supplements can make your stools look darker in colour. This is completely harmless.
• If you suspect that you have taken an overdose of iron, or that someone else might have taken it accidentally, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital straightaway. This is very important because iron can cause serious problems when it is taken accidentally or in overdose. Take the container with you to show what has been taken, even if the pack is now empty.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Ferrous Sulfate

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• severe stomach pain or vomiting
• cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• fever or

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea, constipation
• green-colored stools or
• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dietary Sources Of Iron

Many adults can get all the dietary iron they need by eating a well-balanced diet containing iron-rich foods. Getting your iron from foods instead of supplements may help you avoid unpleasant bowel changes. Try iron-rich lean meats, poultry, seafood, legumes, tofu, spinach and iron-fortified breakfast cereals to help meet your daily iron needs. Heme iron, the type found in animal foods, is absorbed more easily by the body than non-heme iron, the type found in plant foods. Consume foods that contain heme iron along with non-heme iron-containing foods to increase their absorption in your body. Vitamin C also enhances non-heme iron absorption when consumed at the same time.

References

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During An Episode Of Vitamin

Unfortunately, if you are suffering a vitamin-induced bout of diarrhea, the only thing that will cure it is time. To ease your suffering, be sure to stay well-hydrated. Mint or chamomile tea can help soothe stomach cramps and bloating. Instead of using regular toilet paper, try the wet cloths used on infants to prevent soreness. Finally, eat bland, easily digestible, low-fat foods, working your way up from liquids to solids like plain rice. If your diarrhea does not go away within 48 hours at the most, then you should consult a doctor immediately.

• Unfortunately, if you are suffering a vitamin-induced bout of diarrhea, the only thing that will cure it is time.
• If your diarrhea does not go away within 48 hours at the most, then you should consult a doctor immediately.

Should I Give My Child An Iron Supplement

• Full-term babies who are breastfed or who get iron-fortified infant formula from birth do not need an iron supplement.
• Low birth weight babies need iron supplementation. Which supplement, how much and for how long depends on their birth weight and their diet. Talk to your doctor about the right amount for your baby.
• Children over a year old dont need an iron supplement unless they arent eating enough iron-rich foods. Talk to your childs doctor if you think this is the case.

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Immediate Action Required: Call 999 Or Go To A& e Now If:

• you or your child takes too much ferrous fumarate

Taking too much can cause vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhoea.

In serious cases you may vomit blood, bleed from your bottom, have a seizure or fit, or become unconscious.

If you go to A& E do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you, or call an ambulance.

Take the ferrous fumarate packet or the leaflet inside it with you and any remaining medicine.

Before Taking Iron Supplements

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking an iron supplement it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you have any difficulty swallowing.
• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

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Important Information About All Medicines

Further reading and references

What Are The Best Iron Supplements

Your healthcare provider will help you decide what the best iron supplement is best for you. Theyll also tell you how much iron you need to take every day. The best way to take the iron supplement is through two or more doses each day. This way your body absorbs the greatest amount of iron. However, you should take extended-release iron products once a day.

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Iron Promote Muscle Development

One of the essential functions of iron is to build up our muscle. As I mentioned above, iron plays a vital role in forming enzymes which are critical to the metabolism which will enhance the muscle synthesis process. Besides, when the storage of iron is full, the number of red blood cells is maximized, so the muscle will get enough oxygen to expand and assure their functions.

If you want to know more about types of iron supplements for adults, kids and pregnant women, please click TOP BEST ABSORBED IRON SUPPLEMENT FOR ADULTS, KIDS AND PREGNANT WOMEN.

Do Iron Pills Cause Diarrhea

According to Dartmouth College Health Services, the effects of iron supplements on bowel movements include both constipation and diarrhea. Another side effect of iron pills is nausea.

In a literature review published in the journal âPLOS ONEâ in 2015, researchers looked at the side effects of iron pills in 43 different trials on 6,831 adults. A meta-analysis of the data confirmed that taking ferrous sulfate supplements “is associated with a significant increase in gastrointestinal-specific side-effects” .

In the 27 studies reporting constipation as a side effect, 12 percent of people taking iron pills experienced constipation. Participants in 30 studies reported nausea as a side effect, with roughly 11 percent affected. Finally, iron pills caused diarrhea in 25 different studies, on 8 percent of participants.

The results showed that the dosage of the iron supplements did not affect how likely people were to experience side effects from taking them.

âRead more:â How Much Is Too Much Iron Supplement?

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How To Improve The Tolerability Of The Supplement

With iron supplements, it is not only which iron supplement to take, but also how to take it. Here are some instructions that should be given to patients.

1. If more than a small amount of iron supplement is recommended per day, splitting it into two or three doses over the day is likely to reduce side effects. At any one time, no more than 60 mg of elemental iron should be taken. Note: for each salt of iron, the amount of elemental iron in it varies but will be listed on the packaging.

2. While iron is better absorbed on an empty stomach, for many persons this bothers their stomach. In that case, the supplement should be taken after meals. We will separately discuss what foods/supplements should not be taken along with iron because they are likely to reduce the absorption of iron.

3. The iron supplement should be taken with a full cup of water to make sure it does not get stuck in the esophagus.

4. To reduce the risk of reflux, the person should not lie down for 30 to 60 minutes after taking the iron supplement.

5. To manage constipation, when an iron supplement is prescribed, the person should be told to increase fiber and water intake. But, dietary fiber can decrease the absorption of iron. So, the increased fiber intake should not be taken at the same time as the iron supplement.

6. If one form of iron supplementation is poorly tolerated by the person, another form could be tried.

Special Precautions And Warnings

When taken by mouthstomachiron supplementsPregnancy and breast-feedingstomachnausea and vomitingChildrenDiabetestype 2 diabetesHemodialysissupplementsHemoglobin diseasesAn inherited disorder that affects the formation of blood vessels nosebleedPremature infantsvitamin EPhysical training

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Which Foods Are Highest In Iron

Most people do not need iron supplements if they maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Rather than reaching for a pill, start by adding iron-rich foods to your meal plan, the highest of which include:

• Iron-fortified breakfast cereals: 18 mg per cup
• Oysters: 8 mg per 3-ounce serving
• White beans : 8 mg per cup
• Dark chocolate: 7 mg per 3-ounce serving
• Beef liver: 5 mg per 3-ounce serving
• Lentils : 3 mg per ½ cup serving
• Spinach : 3 mg per ½ cup serving
• Tofu: 3 mg per ½ cup serving
• Kidney beans : 2 mg per ½ cup serving
• Canned sardines in oil: 2 mg per ½ cup serving
• Chickpeas : 2 mg per ½ cup serving
• Stewed tomatoes: 2 mg per ½ cup serving
• Braised bottom round beef: 2 mg per 3-ounce serving
• Baked potatoes: 1 mg per medium-sized potato
• Cashews: 1 mg per 1-ounce serving
• Green beans : 1 mg per ½ cup serving
• Roast chicken: 1 mg per 3-ounce serving