💡 Some people experience side effects from taking higher doses of Iron, a common vitamin supplement. The unabsorbed iron is oxidized and causes gut irritation which can cause constipation and nausea.
3 reasons why you feel worse after taking an iron supplement
Are you feeling worse after taking iron supplements? The most common form of anemia is anemia caused by iron deficiency. Many people who have anemia can benefit from taking an iron supplement, but iron supplements should be taken with the guidance of a physician or medical professional.
Before taking iron supplements, you need to make sure your doctor knows about all other medications you take, including antacids, antibiotics, and medicines that lower cholesterol. Also, it’s essential to understand that iron supplements can cause problematic side effects in some individuals.
- Feeling more tired after taking iron supplements
This one is tricky because one of the symptoms of iron deficiency is feeling tired.
Hemochromatosis is a recessive genetic disorder that causes iron overload. If you suspect you may have hemochromatosis or your doctor has told you that you have this disorder, you shouldn’t take iron supplements. Common symptoms of hemochromatosis are joint pain and fatigue.
However, even people who don’t have hemochromatosis can experience iron overload and become fatigued. If this happens, you may need to reduce your iron intake. Speak with your doctor to find the best iron intake levels for you.
🔔 You may feel tired, have headaches from time to time and some difficulty in concentrating. Most people usually start feeling better after a few weeks of taking iron pills.
Read this related article here :
12 Causes of Fatigue and How to Fight It
- Feeling dizzy after taking iron supplements
The first thing to keep in mind is that being anemic may make you feel dizzy. However, in some cases, iron supplements can also cause dizziness.
If you feel dizzy when taking iron supplements, it’s mitigant to speak to your doctor as soon as possible because it could be an indication of iron poisoning. Other symptoms of iron poisoning include any of the following:
- Fatigue
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Severe vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Grayish skin color
Iron toxicity can be lethal, so seek medical attention as soon as possible.
🔔 Iron supplements can cause side effects like dizziness, fainting, and hives. Too many iron supplements can cause long-term side effects like liver damage and heart disease.
Here’s how to avoid dizziness :
- Does iron supplements cause constipation
In some people, iron supplements can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea, excessive flatulence, sticky stool, and heartburn. Symptoms of this sort are usual if you take iron supplements, but be sure to talk to your medical professional if you begin to experience severe nausea and vomiting, sharp abdominal cramps, or if you see blood in your stool.
Alternatively, some individuals who take an iron supplement may experience constipation.
🔔 Constipation due to iron pills is common. Nausea and vomiting may occur with higher doses, but they can be controlled by taking the iron in smaller doses.
Here are some of home remedies for constipation :
13 Home Remedies for Constipation
How to take iron pills without getting sick
The body doesn’t treat the job of absorbing the iron that comes from supplements. Nevertheless, if you need to take iron supplements, you can do so while minimizing the side effects.
It’s possible to minimize side effects when you’re iron supplements. For example, our bodies more readily absorb iron if we take iron supplements on an empty stomach, but taking iron supplements with food may help to reduce gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation or stomach cramps.
One thing you should know is exactly how much iron you need to be taking. Although iron toxicity is rare, it can happen because iron accumulates over time in the organs and can cause irreversible damage.
The foods we eat can affect our bodies to absorb iron. If take an iron supplement, try to eat more foods that are high in vitamin C, including bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, and citrus fruits. Taking iron supplements an hour before eating or two hours after eating can help our bodies to absorb iron more efficiently.
For some people, taking slow-release iron and liquid iron can cause fewer side effects like constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Here’s the list of Best Iron Supplements in 2021 :
How do I know if my iron pills are working
Feeling fatigued and low in energy is one of the symptoms of anemia or iron deficiency. Because of this, the first thing you are likely to notice if your iron supplements are working is that you’re full of energy. If your iron supplements are working, you may also notice that you have a healthier immune system (you don’t as often), and you may find it easy to focus and concentrate.
Keep in mind that it can take up to three months for our bodies to replenish the iron that is normally stored in our blood, so you may not notice improvement right away. However, some symptoms of iron deficiency will start to improve within two to three weeks of taking iron supplements.
Once you begin to feel better, it may be tempting to stop taking iron supplements, particularly if you are experiencing uncomfortable side effects. However, if your doctor has advised you to take iron supplements, it’s important to keep taking them. Don’t discontinue taking your iron supplements without first speaking with your doctor. If you are feeling worse after taking iron supplements, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Read 3 Surprising Benefits of Iron Supplements
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