What Is It Like to Take Iron Supplements for Anemia?
Key takeaways:
Anemia is a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen, causing symptoms like fatigue and headaches. One type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia, which is caused by low iron levels.
People often take iron supplements to address iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia.
While iron supplements can taste metallic, some people report feeling better and experiencing improved symptoms after consistently taking them.
Feeling tired and sluggish are symptoms just about everyone has had at some point. But sometimes — when combined with feelings of irritability and headaches — they can be signs of anemia. Anemia is a condition that develops when the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to different parts of the body.
Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. When there isn't enough iron in the body, a common condition called iron-deficiency anemia can occur. This can happen if you don’t get enough iron from your diet or if you have problems absorbing iron in the gut. Blood loss, such as from heavy menstruation, is another potential cause. Treatments for iron-deficiency anemia include iron infusions and taking iron supplements.
Here’s how three people describe what it’s like to take iron supplements for anemia.
The metallic taste can be intense
Maggie Vlasaty — a 25-year-old actor, model, and freelance publicist in Los Angeles — started noticing symptoms of anemia, such as sluggishness, when she was in high school.
As a teen, she was active in sports. But at about age 15 or 16, she started getting burned out on athletics. She says she remembers feeling like she could no longer finish cross country practice with the same ease. She told her parents, and they scheduled an appointment with her doctor.
Maggie was diagnosed with anemia and started taking ferrous sulfate, a type of iron supplement. But she didn’t feel much at first.
“It was definitely like watching your best friend grow out her hair,” she says of trying iron to help with her anemia. “I didn’t notice it, really.”
What stood out to Maggie the most was how much she didn’t like the taste.
“I didn’t like taking it, so that could have been why, at first, I didn’t see much of a difference,” she says. “Sometimes, I would be having anxiety over how bad it was gonna taste, so I wouldn’t take it.”
Maggie continued to experience anemia symptoms, however. Knowing that her iron levels were low, she tried taking the supplements again, and they started to make her feel better.
“I felt like I had the energy to get up and make a meal to give myself more energy,” she says.
She learned to disguise the metallic taste by taking the supplements with a snack, like crackers or salted peanuts, which made the process feel less daunting.
“Don’t make my mistake of stopping taking it once you feel better, because then you kind of go back to square one,” she says.
Finding the right combination
Tina Marinaccio, a 55-year-old registered dietician from Denville, New Jersey, got diagnosed with anemia at age 41 when she was having heavy menstrual cycles.
Over the years, Tina tried different iron supplements and delivery methods for her anemia. She started with iron bisglycinate because it was easier on her stomach, she says. She also went through cycles of taking liquid iron supplements at different doses.
“A good strategy is to take small doses and spread them out throughout the day,” she says of taking iron supplements in general.
But Tina’s iron levels were still low. And she was still having anemia symptoms, primarily fatigue and shortness of breath. Sometimes, when she was just sitting and having a conversation, she would have trouble catching her breath.
She tried iron infusions once a week for 6 weeks, and that seemed to work. She also increased her fiber and drank plenty of water to keep from feeling nauseous. But, once she hit menopause, she no longer had symptoms and didn’t need to take the infusions.
While Tina says she found taking iron helpful, she also emphasizes the importance of finding the root cause of your symptoms.
Having a routine makes a difference
Lisamarie Monaco, a 50-year-old life insurance agent from Blackshear, Georgia, has had anemia since her second pregnancy, in 1999.
During that pregnancy, Lisamarie was prescribed iron supplements. And she’s been taking some form of iron supplements ever since, in addition to trying to eat plenty of iron-rich foods.
If Lisamarie isn’t consistent about getting enough iron, she feels drained. “I will see a difference,” she says. “For what I do for a living, I don’t have time to be tired.”
Lisamarie doesn’t mind the taste of the iron supplements. But sometimes, she might forget to take a dose if she misses her regular time. Sticking to her routine and leaving the supplements on the counter, where she can see them, helps her remember.
“If I don’t take it in the morning, I’m not gonna take it,” she says. “The worst feeling is not doing anything. Anemia is not something to mess with.”
What does the pharmacist say?
Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD
Director, Pharmacy Content
Iron-deficiency anemia, which is caused by low iron levels, is one of the most common types of anemia. Treatment typically consists of taking iron supplements to help bring iron levels back up to normal. Iron supplements come in different forms, including oral pills and liquids that you can buy over the counter (OTC). There are also prescription iron medications available. And for more severe cases, iron infusions may be recommended.
If your healthcare provider recommends an oral iron supplement, there are several forms to choose from, including ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous bisglycinate. Each one contains a different percentage of elemental iron — the type of iron your body can absorb. To make sure you get the right dose, check the amount of elemental iron listed on a product’s label. And follow your provider’s instructions to avoid taking too much iron, which can be dangerous.
Iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, stomach upset, and constipation or diarrhea. It’s also common to have a metallic taste in your mouth after taking a dose. And don’t be alarmed if your stool turns green or black after starting treatment with iron supplements: This is a normal and temporary side effect.
Some people may find that certain forms of iron, such as ferrous bisglycinate, are easier on their stomach. While it’s best to take iron on an empty stomach, taking it with a small snack may also help if you’re feeling nauseous. And to cover up the metallic taste, try chewing gum or rinsing with mouthwash after you take your dose.
Keep in mind that iron can interact with other medications, foods, and beverages. In some cases, you may need to avoid ingesting certain substances too close to when you take your iron supplement. Your pharmacist can review your current medication list and help you manage potential interactions.
Iron supplements don’t start working immediately. It typically takes a few weeks before you start to notice symptom improvement, such as higher energy levels. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood work during treatment to see how you’re responding.
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