Iron supplement how long to work

Other symptoms may include pale skin, feeling out of breath and heart palpitations. Taking ferrous fumarate will increase the iron levels in your blood and improve or prevent the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. Most people begin to feel better after around 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks for the medicine to have full effect.

If you are taking ferrous fumarate to prevent anaemia you probably will not feel any different but that does not mean it is not working. If you're taking ferrous fumarate on prescription, it is important to take it for as long as your doctor tells you to.

To prevent iron deficiency anaemia, you will need to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you are at risk of getting this deficiency. You will take ferrous fumarate for several months to treat iron deficiency anaemia. Your doctor will usually advise you to keep taking it for 3 to 6 months afterwards to help build up your body's iron supply.

It's safe to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you need to, provided that your doctor has said it's OK and you are not having any side effects. There are other types of iron, including ferrous sulphate and ferrous gluconate. There is little difference in how well they work when you take an equivalent dose of iron.

If you have a side effect with one type of iron, it may not happen with another type. Iron injections can also be used if tablets or liquid iron do not help, or if your iron levels are very low.

Lack of energy is a common symptom when you have iron deficiency anaemia. Having too little iron means your blood cannot carry enough oxygen around your body. This makes you feel tired.

Taking ferrous fumarate can give you more energy by boosting your iron levels. Your doctor may recommend a red blood cell count test after 2 to 4 weeks to see if it's working. If you feel tired, but have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia, it's important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate.

This is because there may be many reasons why you lack energy. A simple blood test will confirm whether you have anaemia, and your doctor will be able to discuss a results and any treatment with you.

When you take ferrous fumarate or when you eat foods that are high in iron , make sure you leave a 2 hour gap before having tea or coffee or any of the foods on this list. Ferrous fumarate will not stop your contraception working. This includes the combined pill and emergency contraception.

However, if ferrous fumarate makes you be sick vomit or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Find out what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea.

There's no firm evidence that ferrous fumarate will affect fertility in either men or women. Yes, you can. Ferrous fumarate does not affect you being able to drive or cycle.

If your diet is partly causing iron deficiency anaemia, eating more foods that are rich in iron can help. Page last reviewed: 21 August Next review due: 21 August Ferrous fumarate On this page About ferrous fumarate Key facts Who can and cannot take ferrous fumarate How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About ferrous fumarate Ferrous fumarate is a medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. It's available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies. Ferrous fumarate works best when taken on an empty stomach. Most people feel better after taking ferrous fumarate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to take full effect. Common side effects include feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea.

Ferrous fumarate may also be called by the brand names Fersamal and Galfer. If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, talk with your doctor about which supplements may be right for you. Avoiding certain foods like raw vegetables or milk for a few hours before taking your iron supplements will ensure better absorption. When you have anemia, it means your iron levels are low.

Continue reading…. Iron deficiency anemia is a common nutritional disorder that occurs when the body lacks iron. If you're recently diagnosed with the condition, use…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. If your child swallows an iron pill, contact a poison control center right away.

Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Silbermins D, Metjian A. In: Harward MP, ed. Medical Secrets. Updated by: David C. Editorial team. Taking iron supplements. Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include: High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran Foods or drinks with caffeine Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill.

The lower your current level, the longer it will take to build up a sufficient amount of iron in your system. You should still continue taking an iron supplement even when you reach optimal iron levels if you cannot get enough iron from your diet alone. Believe it or not, you can be taking an iron supplement daily and still not get the amount of iron you need — if your body is not absorbing it correctly. An iron-rich diet can be challenging to sustain, especially if you need to build up a significant amount of iron.

Some foods and nutrients are natural iron inhibitors — they diminish the absorption of iron and make it difficult for you to reach optimal levels. If you want to reap all the benefits of an optimal iron intake, you need to ensure you are absorbing iron well and that you are getting enough iron in your diet. Active Iron supplements are designed with a unique formula, the protein layer makes them more easily absorbed and gentle on your stomach.