i had a blood test the other day and apparently have low iron,i started taking iron tablets again but since i have i get headaches,feel sick,am tired a lot.has my body got some kind of problem with absorbing iron?
Those symptoms are most probably because of iron deficiency anemia which means you really have to take your iron tablets. Headaches, feeling sick and fatigue are caused by inadequate delivery of oxygen by the iron deficient blood. Side effects of iron intake are mostly gastrointestinal which includes abdominal pain and constipation that's why it is advised to be taken with meals and to increase amount of fluid intake. Iron is better absorbed when taken with vitamin C.
Perhaps you are not getting enough vitamin C which is needed for iron absorption. The more vitamin C you take the more iron your body will absorb so if you take 2 or 3 gm (2,000 or 3,000 mg) of vitamin C a day then your iron absorption level should be fine.
Some iron or iron equivalents on the market are a slower release and others are a different dosages. You will have to talk to your Doctor/pharmacy clerk about your choices. Also think about these factors your diet / are you taking vitamins also. These would add to your iron consumption and possibly be too much for you. my daughter has this same problem- I tell her if she does not remember to take her iron everyday -at least take a vitamin. This way she is getting some dosages of iron. We have it set up where she takes the low dose slow release type. (over the counter) plus a vitamin. Hope things get better for you- iron is important to your body
Those symptoms are most probably because of iron deficiency anemia which means you really have to take your iron tablets. Headaches, feeling sick and fatigue are caused by inadequate delivery of oxygen by the iron deficient blood. Side effects of iron intake are mostly gastrointestinal which includes abdominal pain and constipation that's why it is advised to be taken with meals and to increase amount of fluid intake. Iron is better absorbed when taken with vitamin C.
Perhaps you are not getting enough vitamin C which is needed for iron absorption. The more vitamin C you take the more iron your body will absorb so if you take 2 or 3 gm (2,000 or 3,000 mg) of vitamin C a day then your iron absorption level should be fine.
Some iron or iron equivalents on the market are a slower release and others are a different dosages. You will have to talk to your Doctor/pharmacy clerk about your choices. Also think about these factors your diet / are you taking vitamins also. These would add to your iron consumption and possibly be too much for you. my daughter has this same problem- I tell her if she does not remember to take her iron everyday -at least take a vitamin. This way she is getting some dosages of iron. We have it set up where she takes the low dose slow release type. (over the counter) plus a vitamin. Hope things get better for you- iron is important to your body
