Do Iron Pills Cause Constipation

Iron Supplements That Don’t Cause Constipation

Some types of iron supplements may increase the likelihood of constipation, as well as gas and bloating. Although it’s unclear why some people become constipated due to iron supplementation, you can reduce your risk by taking other forms of iron that are less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects. Discuss any concerns you about about supplementation with your physician.

Best For Red Blood Cell Support: Vitamatic Iron Supplement That Dont Cause Constipation

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Dietary Sources Of Iron

Best dietary iron food sources include:

• Dried fruit
• Salmon
• Shellfish, lamb and pork

Moderate dietary iron food sources include several vegetables, grains, fruits and supplements, but your body will have a harder time absorbing the nutrient. These include:

• Spinach
• Wheat
• Brown rice

Eating these moderate iron food sources with a small amount of lean meat can increase the nutrient absorption rate by two or three times. Eating them with citrus foods, potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes also boost iron intake.

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Can I Take Iron With Antacids

Iron supplements should not be taken with antacids. Antacids, especially those containing calcium, have been shown to .

In fact, in some cases taking too many antacids that contain calcium is a factor in causing an iron deficiency because it keeps the body from absorbing the iron it needs.

Unfortunately, for many people heartburn is a side effect of taking iron supplementation, so they may unwittingly combine the two not knowing that they are actually reducing the effectiveness of their iron supplement. If you must take both, take the iron supplement at least two hours before taking the antacid tablets.

Side Effects Of Iron Tablets You Must Know

If you have low levels of iron, your doctor may have advised you to take iron supplements as a quick fix. Usually, signs of iron deficiency show up only when the iron reserves in the liver, muscles, bone marrow, or spleen are exhausted and you may be on the verge of iron deficiency anemia. So though its possible to replenish your iron stores through iron-rich foods, recovery takes longer.

Daily iron requirment

• Women : 18 mg
• Pregnant women: 27 mg
• Babies : 11 mg

Moreover, if you follow a vegetarian diet, it may take longer still since the non-heme iron obtained from plant sources is not absorbed as well as the heme iron from animal sources. And if you are a frequent drinker of tea or coffee, iron absorption may be further hindered.

It has been seen that blood counts become normal for most people after taking supplements for about 2 months. In about 6 to 12 months, its possible to shore up iron levels even in the bone marrow.12 However, the supplements come with a few side effects that you need to be aware of. They can occur as a response or reaction to the supplements themselves or as a result of overdose. We have listed the side effects in the order of severity.

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How Do You Stop Diarrhea When Taking Iron Tablets

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Similarly, you may ask, do iron tablets cause constipation or diarrhea?

Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits, vegetables, and fibre each day. Iron pills can change the colour of your stool to a greenish or grayish black.

One may also ask, what happens when you stop taking iron tablets? Most people begin to feel better after a few days of taking iron pills. But do not stop taking the pills even if you feel better. If you take iron pills without talking with your doctor first, the pills may cause you to have too much iron in your blood, or even iron poisoning.

Also to know is, do iron tablets make you poo more?

Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. 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.

How long do iron tablets stay in your system?

If you have iron deficiency anaemia, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements. It may take six months to one year for your body to restock its iron stores. Your iron levels will be regularly reviewed with blood tests.

Taking Maltofer With Food

Even simple foods like tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk can interfere with the iron absorption of ferrous salts found in most iron supplements and, as such, these are generally recommended to be taken on an empty stomach.

Maltofer on the other hand can be taken with food anytime and absorption of the iron will not be affected. In fact, studies have demonstrated that iron absorption with Maltofer significantly increases when taken with food.

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What Is Iron Deficiency

Iron is one of the bodys essential nutrients, which is absorbed from the foods we eat. Iron is required for normal cell and organ function, as it carries oxygen around the body via haemoglobin found in red blood cells. Iron deficiency occurs when the amount of iron absorbed by the body is insufficient. This can be caused by a lack of iron being absorbed from food.

Iron deficiency can also be caused by a number of different disease conditions these can lead to increased iron loss or inadequate use of iron. Too little iron in the body can have serious consequences, ranging from physical and mental fatigue to impaired quality of life.

Across the globe, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, affecting an estimated 2 billion people.

If you are considering taking Maltofer or if you think you may be iron deficient, visit your doctor to discuss your symptoms or for further information about iron deficiency.

Reduced Absorption Of Zinc

Iron in large quantities can reduce the absorption of zinc. And zinc deficiency can have a range of effects like slowing down of growth in babies and children, the delaying of sexual development, and impotence. It can also manifest as hair loss, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and skin and eye sores. It might help if you take zinc-rich foods and iron tablets at different times. Your doctor may also recommend zinc supplements if you have a deficiency.6

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Antihistamines Like Benadryl And Zyrtec

Certain antihistamine drugs like , , , and that are available over the counter to treat allergy symptoms may stop you up. They belong to an even larger class of medications known as anticholinergics, which all have the possible side effect of causing constipation. Think of any medication that gives you a dry mouth as an anticholinergic.

Getting Rid Of Constipation Caused By Vitamins Or Due To Other Factors

It has been seen that there are times when one needs to take in vitamins to meet the nutritional deficiencies in the body. And the problem of constipation also exists. In such cases, you have to learn the various ways in which the problem of constipation can be dealt with successfully. Mentioned below are some simple ways in which the problem can be solved to a great extent

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How Long Should You Take Iron Supplements

For most people, hemoglobin and iron levels usually return to normal after 2 months of iron therapy. In some cases, however, iron supplements may have to be continued for another 6-12 months.

Your doctor will determine how long you need to take iron supplements based on regular blood tests that measure your bodys iron levels.

Does Active Iron Cause Side Effects

Active Iron does not cause any of the common side effects of other iron supplements. Our customers take Active Iron because:

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Can Iron Supplements Cause Diarrhea

The digestive tract can be sensitive to iron consumption, resulting in several bathroom problems like constipation or the opposite diarrhea.

Often, the symptom will subside as you adjust to the iron intake.

If you are experiencing diarrhea, its critical to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids.

How Much Iron Should You Take

The recommended dietary allowance includes the iron you get from both the food you eat and any supplements you take.

Strict vegetarians may need to take in higher levels of iron.

At high doses, iron is toxic. For adults and children ages 14 and up, the upper limit — the highest dose that can be taken safely — is 45 mg a day. Children under age 14 should not take more than 40 mg a day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that — starting at 4 months of age — full-term, breastfed infants should be supplemented with 1 mg/kg per day of oral iron. This should continue until iron-containing complementary foods, such as iron-fortified cereals, are introduced in the diet. Standard infant formula that contains 12 mg/L iron can fulfill the iron needs of an infant until age 1.

Ask your health care provider how much iron supplement you or your child should take, if any.

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Is Constipation During Pregnancy Ever Serious

Usually not, but occasionally constipation during pregnancy can be a symptom of another problem. If you have severe constipation thats accompanied by abdominal pain, alternates with diarrhea, or you pass mucus or blood, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Also, straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, though they rarely cause serious problems. In most cases, they go away fairly soon after your baby is born. However, if the pain is severe, or if you have rectal bleeding, call your doctor.

Ways To Avoid Constipation When Taking Iron Tablets

Doctors prescribe iron supplements for iron-deficiency anemia, which can develop when significant blood loss occurs or as a result of certain conditions or diseases such as heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, Crohn’s disease or kidney failure. Often, a complication of taking iron pills is constipation but there are some things you can do to avoid the discomfort you might experience.

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Modify Your Diet To Minimize Constipation

If your doctor has recommended iron supplements, making a few changes to your diet may help prevent constipation. Take your iron supplement with a glass of orange juice, or other vitamin-C-rich drink, to improve absorption, and eat some food with it to help minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.

You may be able to prevent or minimize constipation by drinking adequate amounts of water, at least 8 cups a day, and making sure you get enough fiber from foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.

New Chapters Iron Food Complex

This is an herbal product containing herbs like maca, chamomile, peppermint, ginger, turmeric, and aloe. The capsule contains the ferrous fumarate form of iron which whole-food fermented. Each dosage contains 9mg of iron in it.

It adds lactic acid bacteria into the body. The components of the tablet ensure easy digestion and zero constipation. Apart from boosting iron into the blood it also ensures that you remain stress-free and energetic. The main fermented food is spy and wheat but rest assured that this is a gluten-free product.

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Mixing Ferrous Sulfate With Herbal Remedies Or Supplements

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before taking any herbal remedies or supplements together with ferrous sulfate. Some vitamin and mineral supplements may already contain ferrous sulfate or other types of iron.

Tell the pharmacist or doctor if you take any supplements or remedies that contain iron, calcium, magnesium or zinc. Ferrous sulfate can stop zinc working as well as it should.

Why Iron Is Important

You need iron to make hemoglobin, which is the component in your blood that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Without an adequate amount of iron, your body cant produce enough hemoglobin. Low iron can cause a number of symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, headaches or an increased susceptibility to infection. Anyone can become deficient in iron, but women, children and people over the age of 65 are at an increased risk.

For reference, women between the ages of 19 and 50 need 18 milligrams of iron a day and all men and women 51 and older need 8 milligrams of iron a day.

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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.

Why Do People Take Iron

Iron supplements are most often used for certain types of anemia. Anemia can cause fatigue and other symptoms. If you have symptoms of anemia, seek care from your health care provider. Don’t try to treat it on your own.

Iron supplements are often prescribed to treat anemia caused by:

• Pregnancy
• Chemotherapy

Those who may be at risk for iron deficiency include preterm infants, young children, teenage girls, and pregnant women, as well as people with certain health conditions including chronic heart failure, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease and ulcerative colitis. Iron supplements are commonly recommended for women who are pregnant or of childbearing age to help prevent anemia. Before taking an iron supplement, ask your health care provider if it is right for you.

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Do Iron Supplements Cause Constipation

One of the most important minerals your body needs is iron. In order for the different systems in your body to function properly, you need a healthy intake of the nutrient. Your body cannot produce vital enzymes, proteins, and red blood cells without iron. Most of the time, if you eat a balanced diet, you will get the iron you need. But if your levels of the nutrient are low, your doctor will recommend supplements. Some people worry that it might cause side effects like constipation, is it really so?

What Are Different Forms Of Iron Supplements

Iron supplements can also administered in the following ways:

• Oral: Iron supplements can be taken orally in the form of pills and syrups. Ferrous salts used in oral iron supplements include ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate and ferrous succinate. It may take up to 2 months for iron levels to become normal while taking oral iron supplements.
• Parenteral: Parenteral iron supplements include iron dextran, iron sucrose, iron carboxymaltose and iron isomaltoside 1000. Iron supplement injections are given intravenously or intramuscularly when:
• Oral iron supplements are not tolerated.
• Absorption is compromised by illnesses.
• You cannot swallow.
• You have an underlying inflammatory condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or kidney disease.
• The level of hemoglobin needs to be increased quickly before elective surgery, post-operatively, post-transfusion or post-partum.

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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.

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