Side Effects of Iron Supplements

Iron supplements are very effective in preventing or treating iron deficiency anemia, especially for pregnant women who are prone to symptoms of iron deficiency during pregnancy. At this time, you can take some iron supplements appropriately to achieve the effect of blood tonic. Of course, iron supplements also have certain side effects. For example, they may cause the stool to turn black. Don't be too nervous at this time. It is a normal phenomenon. Some people may experience gastrointestinal discomfort. When taking iron supplements, be sure to pay attention to the best time.

1. Side effects of iron supplements

1. Bowel habits may change: For people who take iron supplements, the color of their stool will become darker, but there is no need to be overly nervous, as it is a normal phenomenon. Many people also get constipated after taking iron supplements. You can ask your doctor to prescribe a laxative to take together. However, some iron supplements already contain laxatives, and some sensitive people may suffer from diarrhea after taking this type of iron supplement. If this happens, ask your doctor not to prescribe iron supplements containing laxatives. The dosage of the laxative should be controlled by yourself.

2. Your stomach may feel uncomfortable: In principle, the best time to take iron supplements is one hour before meals. However, many people will feel uncomfortable in the stomach when taking iron supplements on an empty stomach. It is recommended that such people take half the dose when taking iron supplements, allow the stomach to slowly adapt, and then gradually increase the dose to the amount recommended by the doctor. If you really feel uncomfortable taking it before meals, you have to take it after meals. But remember to drink it with a small glass of orange juice or vitamin C to increase the absorption rate of iron.

2. Precautions for taking iron supplements

1. Do not take iron supplements together with calcium tablets, zinc and other supplements to avoid interfering with iron absorption; iron reducers are best taken after meals to reduce gastrointestinal reactions.

2. When taking iron supplements, you should not take antacids, such as gastric emulsion tablets and stomach powder, because stomach acid will help the absorption of iron. Taking antacids will reduce stomach acid and reduce iron absorption.

3. Do not drink coffee, milk, tea, or red wine while taking iron supplements, as these beverages will interfere with the absorption of the iron.

4. When taking iron supplements, you can take vitamin C at the same time to promote iron absorption. Lack of vitamin C means that iron cannot be fully utilized to produce hemoglobin. Vitamin C also promotes blood production in the bone marrow.

Things to note when taking iron supplements: understand common side effects and prevent overdose. When iron deficiency is severe and daily diet cannot guarantee adequate intake, taking iron supplements in time is a reliable choice. When choosing iron supplements, be aware of side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, leg cramps, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience mild symptoms, don't worry too much. If they are serious, you should see a doctor. But at the same time, it should be noted that improper use of iron supplements may lead to excessive iron, which can be deposited in organs such as the liver, heart, and pancreas, affecting the normal function of the organs. Therefore, the amount of iron supplementation should be based on the doctor's advice and instructions to avoid overdose. If you suspect you are iron deficient, you can go to the hospital for a blood test for further diagnosis and treatment.