low iron?

[minkie]

The nurse at my OB's office called Friday and of course I didn't get the message until the office was closed, but said my iron count was low at 10.3 and they like it to be between 11.5 and 15. and to take an iron pill. That was it, no recommendation or anything....Anyone have low iron beginning of third trimester as well? Any side effects of having low iron? I have been having a lot of headaches recently I'm wondering if that is why...Also any special iron tablets that won't upset my stomach too much? (I'm in California) Thanks ladies!

 

[veganmum2be]

last time i got bloods (28weeks) i had low iron, i was just on the borderline limit of needing iron pills.
i reckon though it was just because i was busy and not as careful with my diet at the time, sinse then i have been making more of an effort and i will be getting bloods again this coming week to see how things are.

technically you wouldn't have to take the supplements, you could just have a very very iron rich diet, the net has some good recipies for iron rich smoothies for example, and one of them a day would be as good as a vitamin supplement.

x

 

[wantingno.2]

I'm on iron tablets cos my iron went from 11.7 to 10.6, the MW and Dr said that wasnt really that bad but they would give me some tablets anyway. I think if it falls below 10 it's considered LOW.

I must say that i do feel like i have more energy since i've been on them, not as tired through the day. They notoriously mess with your digestive system though usually giving you constipation, although i've had the opposite but i think thats because my body is keeping it's self clear for birth!

 

[Mrs IKW]

I saw Doctor on Thurs and my iron was 10 and the doctor has prescribed me an iron supplement - they are tiny little bottles of a dark liquid and they dont taste too bad. They are called Ferplex 40mg... She didnt tell me how long to take them for - I assume until I see her next at 35 weeks.

I dont feel any different so far but Ive only been taking the medicine for 3 days. I have been really breathless and have had a few panic type attacks when I get breathless and my heart races and I go all light headed - that is apparently a sign of low iron.... and tiredness...

 

[Budsmummy]

yes my level was 9.7 at 28 weeks so am on iron tablets.

Not sure about headaches but I have been feeling extremely tired and breathless and feel faint sometimes. If the tablets don't agree with you (some ppl have side effects) you could try liquid iron or something like Spatone (not sure if they sell that in the US though? It's basically mineral water that has naturally occuring iron in it).

 

[frsttimemommy]

i have low iron. the best pill i was recommended you can get at wal mart called Slow Fe. it doesn't make me nauesous and if i take it with milk in the morning, i actually have more energy. and itt doesn't really have any side effects!! hope this helps oh and DO NOT DRINK ICE TEA!! that's what made me anemic

 

[minkie]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies -- I really hate googling stuff about pregnancy...I always end up coming out scared in the end. I tried to google low iron in pregnancy and came out with all this stuff about women needing blood transfusions and bleeding to death during labor ACK lol thought I would just post here instead!! I will get the slow FE supplement I have actually seen that last time I was at Target getting my prenatals! Also I do make a lot of smoothies I will look into maybe getting something to put in them to boost my iron as well.

 

[Carrie29]

i'm on iron supp's too, for some reason my iron levels dropped from very high at 14 to 3, may be something to do with the fact that i had bali belly for a week or so. Been taking them for a week and no constipation and i've had much more energy since. Only thing i noticed it it gives you black poo he he!

 

[Prinny]

I've been a little anaemic before i had even got pregnant but when i was in my first trimester i had iron tablets and my levels went up throughout my whole second trimester i never had to take iron tablets then just last week my doctor prescribed an iron supplement to me as i am a little anaemic again...However he told me it's best to just take the supplement through out my whole pregnancy and for a little while after the baby is born so i can have stable iron levels or it may just fall very easily again so that is what i plan to do...

I don't know if headaches are part of being anaemic (having low iron) but i do know in some very serious cases some people find it hard to breath or have extreme tiredness and some other symptoms but headaches may possibly be one

There is also food that helps your iron intake like red meat and spinach and i think bananas is one also

 

[minkie]

unfortunately I have an aversion to red meat since falling pregnant...which sucks because hubby and I used to eat T bone steaks at least twice a week, we are huge meat eaters but every time I try to get some in me it just doesn't taste good! Meat in general actually...which is odd because I thought your body craved the kind of food you need to eat?? What happens if your iron levels stay low around delivery time?

 

[wantingno.2]

i'm on iron supp's too, for some reason my iron levels dropped from very high at 14 to 3, may be something to do with the fact that i had bali belly for a week or so. Been taking them for a week and no constipation and i've had much more energy since. Only thing i noticed it it gives you black poo he he!

Yeh it's weird isnt it looking into the toilet and it's totally black!

 

[Prinny]

I think if your iron levels are low but not dangerously low and your baby is born i would think everything will be OK..well that is what my doctor has told me he doesn't think it's something for me to worry about but if you do loose alot of blood in which most people do it will be you that would be effected not the baby or anything..of course unless your baby was anaemic also but i don't think that is that common

It's just like someone with thin blood if they lost alot during birth they doctors and MW's will already know and be prepared..try not to worry :0..and if you no longer crave red meat maybe you can try green foods, fruit juices or smoothies or Unsulfured dried fruits No food in itself contains enough iron to treat iron deficiency anaemia but with your tablet supplement it can help your iron intake raise

 

[Saywhat]

SPATONE is THEE best!!

Forget iron tablets with the side effects of awful constipation.
Get the liquid water sachets, take two a day and you will feel a ton better and your iron levels will shoot up. x