ferrous sulfate

Ask your provider if you're not sure whether you need to take iron supplements. They can check your iron level through blood work to see if its within a healthy range. Not everyone needs iron supplements. Many people get enough iron through the foods that they eat such as meat, dark leafy vegetables, and cereal. But if you're not able to get enough iron through foods, your provider will ask you to start an iron supplement. Sometimes, your provider might ask you to start taking iron supplements if you're pregnant or if you have heavy menstrual periods because your body will need more iron during these times.

Your body absorbs oral iron supplements best if you take it on an empty stomach. But if you experience stomach-related side effects from your iron supplement, taking it with food can help. Always double check the label for your specific iron product to find out the exact directions. Iron supplements come in many forms, such as tablets, gummies, and liquid solutions. You might need to take your dose once to a few times a day, depending on which formulation of iron (e.g., ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate) you're taking.

There might be several reasons why your body isn't absorbing iron supplements well. One reason is that you might have a medical condition that affects absorption, such as celiac disease. Another reason is that you're taking your iron supplement with other medications or foods that affect iron absorption. For example, calcium-containing antacids, or the calcium in milk or yogurt can make it difficult for your body to absorb iron. It's best separate iron from these medications or foods to prevent this interaction. If you think your body isn't absorbing iron supplements well, talk with your provider and they can try to help you figure out the cause.

Typically, your body should start to respond to iron supplements within a week. You might need to wait 2 to 4 weeks to see your hemoglobin levels go up on lab results. You might start to notice certain symptoms of low iron levels, such as weakness and tiredness, improve during this time. But it might take longer for your hemoglobin levels and symptoms to fully recover. If your provider asked you to start iron supplements, they might ask you to go for blood draws regularly to see how your body is responding to the medication.

Your provider will tell you how much iron you need to take based on your health conditions and blood test results. For examples, people who are pregnant or who have heavy menstrual periods need more iron than people who aren't pregnant or who don't have heavy periods. In addition, your dose of iron supplement can differ depending on which form of iron you're taking (e.g., ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate). This is because these different iron forms contain different amounts of elemental iron, which refers to how much iron your body can absorb. If you're not sure how much iron to take, check in with your provider.

Yes, iron supplements can cause constipation as a side effect. To prevent constipation, make sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated. If needed, ask your provider whether a stool softener is appropriate for you.

Iron supplements can affect how certain medications get absorbed into your body, so let your provider know all of the medications you currenly take or plan to take. Certain antibiotics (like tetracycline) should be separated from iron supplements by at least 2 hours. Antacids (like calcium carbonate) can also lower the amount of iron that gets absorbed, so you should take iron supplements a few hours before or after antacids. Other medications that can interfere with iron supplements include levodopa, levothyroxine, lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and calcium supplements.