This post is created by Nutriest’s content team and is based on reputable sources, including published research and nutritional guidelines.
You recently started taking iron supplementation for iron-deficiency anemia, but things aren’t going as you hoped. Instead of feeling better, you’re feeling worse. You wonder if you’re imagining things or need to call the doctor. Let’s set your mind at ease.
This is a normal response from people taking iron pills for the first time, and there are many reasons for it. In this article, we help you understand the challenges of iron supplementation and what you can do to feel better.
Quick Overview
Feeling worse after taking iron supplements is a common complaint when starting iron tablets. Feeling unwell occurs because iron can cause digestive problems, such as stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Table of Contents
- Why can iron medications make you feel worse?
- How can you reduce the side effects from taking iron tablets?
- Are there alternatives to traditional iron medications?
- Conclusion
- FAQs: Feeling worse after taking iron supplements
Why can iron medications make you feel worse?
When you’re diagnosed with low iron levels (iron-deficient anemia), your doctor prescribes certain medications that increase your blood-iron levels. The chemical composition of these medications is in part responsible for the symptoms that people find uncomfortable after starting treatment for low iron stores.
Doctors usually prescribe one of three types of iron supplements for anemia:
- Ferrous sulfate
- Ferrous fumarate
- Ferrous gluconate
These are iron salts available in tablet or liquid form. The body cannot absorb iron alone in this form. To solve this problem, scientists attach elemental iron to other chemicals (ferrous salts) that serve as delivery mechanisms for the iron. Once inside the digestive system, these iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal discomfort for the following reasons:
- As iron breaks down, it can irritate the lining of the stomach and small intestine. This irritation is what causes nausea, vomiting and gastritis.
- Unabsorbed iron passes into the colon, which can cause temporary irritation, constipation or diarrhea.
- Unabsorbed iron can act as a nutrient for already-present pathogenic bacteria, creating excess bloating, gas and stomach cramps.
- Continuous use of iron tablets can alter the gut microbiome, leading to unwanted side effects.
These symptoms are not usually permanent, and you can resolve them by changing how you take your iron pills. Giving up on supplementation before your iron levels are sufficiently replenished will likely worsen your condition. There are also other medicines, such as natural iron supplements, that can address mild iron deficiency without causing you to feel unwell.
If this isn’t the first time you’re struggling with the side effects of iron supplements, you may be interested in trying a more natural approach. Grass-fed beef supplements such as beef spleen and beef blood are made from freeze-dried organ meats. They provide your body with a much higher dose of iron than you can get from eating organ meat alone, and support your body’s natural processes instead of working against them.
How can you reduce the side effects from taking iron tablets?
Most people who take iron tablets experience mild to moderate side effects, especially in the first weeks of supplementation. You can manage these side effects by making minor adjustments to your medication regimen.
Make sure you’re taking the right dose at the right time. Doses vary depending on the severity of your condition and your tolerance to specific types of iron medication. Taking more than you need will not improve your condition faster and can lead to increased side effects.
The standard advice is to take iron supplements on an empty stomach, but this can irritate the stomach and cause nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. If you experience these symptoms from taking medicine first thing in the morning, then eat a small meal beforehand. Drinking water frequently is also advised to help ease nausea and stomach upset after iron tablets.
Pair your iron pills with Vit C for increased absorption, but avoid dairy, tea, coffee, and fiber-rich foods for at least two hours before and after your pills.
Discuss taking your medication on alternative days with your doctor. Following this protocol can reduce the severity of the side effects. You can also try a different formulation, e.g., moving from a tablet to a liquid.
A last resort (mostly for severe anemia) is intravenous therapy. A healthcare provider will insert a small catheter in your vein so that you can receive an iron infusion. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to administer the full dose, and most people need 1 or 2 doses over several weeks to correct iron levels.
Realistically, it can take 1-4 weeks for digestive disturbances to settle while the body adjusts to iron supplementation. You will need to take iron for at least two months to restore iron levels, and you will likely need to keep taking it for up to six months. Therefore, helping your body to adapt to this routine is beneficial for long-term treatment.
Are there alternatives to traditional iron medications?
If you’re trying to prevent low iron levels or have been diagnosed with mild iron-deficient anemia, there are alternatives to traditional iron medication. These alternatives may also help you if you’ve struggled to take iron pills for a long time and are unable to tolerate the side effects.
Eating foods that are rich in iron is the best-case scenario for most people. High-quality protein foods are rich in iron, and when they’re eaten regularly, they can help you maintain healthy iron levels. Women, in particular, should pay attention to eating foods high in iron to prevent anemia from stopping your period. The best sources of heme iron are beef liver, chicken liver, red meat, and shellfish. The body readily absorbs heme iron and uses it to create red blood cells.
Another alternative is natural supplements, such as those produced from grass-fed beef. These supplements focus on increasing heme iron intake and boosting absorption, providing the body with a highly bioavailable form of protein. In a nutshell, each capsule contains natural beef protein, along with other vitamins and minerals that your body recognizes and uses.
If whole-food supplements interest you, Dr. Juan Carlos Cassano, a respected researcher in hematology, shares his thoughts in a Nutriest review titled ‘Best Iron Supplement for Anemia.’ Here, he discusses the global increase in iron deficiency and the most natural way to address it.
Conclusion
Feeling worse after you start taking an iron supplement is a normal physiological response to the body adjusting to your medication. However, the side effects can be distressing and severe for some people. They include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation and gas. These side effects cause people to give up taking their medication before their iron levels reach optimal levels.
There are several steps you can take to reduce symptoms until your body adjusts to the new medicine. There are also alternatives to the traditional iron tablets. These include eating more iron-rich food and taking a grass-fed beef supplement that harnesses the power of organ meats, helping to gently nurture the body back to health.
If you’ve already tried the remedies suggested for reducing the side effects of iron supplements, it’s time for another approach. Switch to Nutriest’s iron deficiency supplement. Customers have found it helpful for improving iron levels and energy, and they recommend it for anemia.
FAQs: Feeling worse after taking iron supplements
1. Why do I feel bad after taking iron supplements?
You may feel bad after taking iron supplements because these medicines are known to cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and constipation, as well as changes to the gut microbiome. Taking the right dosage is important for overcoming side effects. Don’t take more than your doctor prescribed, as this could worsen unpleasant symptoms.
2. What are the side effects of taking iron pills?
The side effects of iron pills include constipation, stomach cramps, nausea, dark stools, heartburn and gas. Traditional iron pills, such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate, break down before reaching the small intestine. This breakdown of iron in the stomach is what causes gastrointestinal symptoms. To reduce side effects, don’t take iron pills on an empty stomach.
3. How do I know if I need to take iron tablets?
You may need iron tablets if you are experiencing extreme fatigue, pale skin, brittle nails, headaches, dizziness, chest pains, cold hands or feet, and poor appetite. A blood test should confirm a diagnosis of low iron (anemia), as many of these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. Discuss reasons for possible iron deficiency (such as a heavy period or stomach ulcers) with your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms.
4. Are there natural supplements for iron deficiency?
Yes, there are natural supplements for iron deficiency. These supplements provide a rich source of heme iron, which is more readily absorbed by the body. The high bioavailability provides the body with the components it needs to create red blood cells and increase oxygen in the blood. While they are classified as food supplements, that doesn’t mean they can’t be used to treat anemia. They often have a strong therapeutic effect and should be taken as prescribed.
Sources:
Evaluation of different iron salts in the treatment of iron-deficient anemia