I've just found out my iron levels are low despite taking multi-vitamins...?

Question

Can anyone recommend any safe iron-rich foods to eat and does anyone know what will happen if my iron levels get too low? I'm nearly 2 weeks pregnant.

I meant I'm nearly 29 weeks pregnant, oops! And I've only just found out today about my iron levels.

The multi-vitamin tablets I'm on are pro-natal and approved of by my midwife

Answer 1

try taking ferrous sulfate, it is recommended for pregnant women, if you lack in iron during pregnancy it could lead to pre-term delivery.

Answer 2

galter is the best iron tablet,u dont need multi vitamins its iron tablet is what u need.i am 37 weeks pregnant and find them very good,i am on 2 a day.eat lots of veg and red meat,all the stuff thats good for you.with the iron tablets only drink them with orange juice.dont drink tea or coffee till about an hour later as the iron tablet wont work as well as it should.all in all relax as much as you can and enjoy it!

Answer 3

Iron cannot be absorbed into the blood correctly if you are also defiicient in vitamin C. I would check the multi vitamins you are taking, as there may not be enough Iron or Vitamin C.

Iron rich foods include spinach, cabbage, red meat. I would talk to your doctor if you are worried about anything that might affect your baby. (Congratulations by the way!)

Answer 4

In all my pregnancies I have to take extra iron. I have low iron anyways when I am not pregnant. When you take your prenatal, make sure you take it with a juice that is 100% vitamin C. It helps absorb the iron. Honestly if you are low enough to be concerned, your Dr. should give you iron pills.

Answer 5

I've always had low iron, and it really hit hard while I was pregnant. I was so exhausted I would catch naps in my car during the workday, and my OB said it was likely because my iron was low. I took iron supplements with my pre-natals (unfortunately for me, one side effect was constipation).

Some iron-rich foods are: red meat, fish, chicken, liver (yuck), fortified cereals, dark greens like spinach, beans, prunes and raisins. And eating any of these with orange juice or grapefruit juice can really help your body absorb the iron.

Answer 6

All green veg, such a spinach and cabbage is great for Iron. As is red meat in small amounts. I have heard that drinking orange juice or eating oranges helps your body absord Iron as the vitamin C in the oranges some how makes it easier.

Answer 7

Tell your doctor. He can recommend the right foods, as well as a good prenatal vitamin with extra iron.

My wife had a problem with iron deificiency and we found a great liquid Iron supplement she took with dinner which raised her iron contect quickly and safely. Ask your doctor about it.

Answer 8

spinach, or other green leaf veg is a very good source of Iron, but, unless your Vit B12 levels are Ok you won't be able to absorb the extra iron you need. Your midwife/nurse should ahve given you the information if it was necessary.

Answer 9

i know the answer to this one!

if your iron levels get too low during your pregnancy your doc will give you iron injections....into your hip joints....ouch!!

instead of taking multi-vitamins, take some that are iron specific, ask your pharmacist for advice.

or you could go to your gp and ask for ferrous sulphate tablets...but s/he'll only prescribe these if you're very low.

Answer 10

I was put on iron pills, and told to eat Total cereal.

PS - taking the pills with orange juice helps your body absorb iron better

Answer 11

My iron was low when I was pregnant also. I was because I couldnt keep anything down. You need to eat red meat. Get yourself a nice steak.