Is it okay to take iron supplements only during your period?

Question

I strongly suspect that I am slightly anemic. I have been very tired lately, plus I've had other symptoms like dizziness, weakness and breathlessness. Plus I feel faint alot. I am currently on my period. Anyway, I bought some iron supplements today to see if they help. I currently take a multivitamin and vitamin C. Can I take the iron only during my period and skip it most of the time? Thanks.

Answer 1

You can take iron irregularly. However, iron is something that your body learns to tolerate in larger doses. To avoid constipation you either have to keep the dose low or build it up gradually. Since you'll only be taking it occasionally, you'll prob have to keep it low. You can try taking more than one tablet if you want--if you get constipated you know it's too much.

Answer 2

You can, but you would be better served by taking an iron supplement over a longer, steady period of time. Iron needs to build up in your system and assimilate itself in your blood cells, and simply taking it during your period would not completely fix the problem. Also, make sure your multivitamin does not already have iron in it. Too much iron too quickly can be toxic to your organs. Eating red meat and veggies like spinach can also help elevate your levels.

I would also see your family physician or GYN and request an anemia workup, as well as looking for other potential reasons for your dizziness and weakness. While anemia is a good thought, there are other conditions within the differential diagnosis that should be checked for. There are also other types of anemias that are NOT related to low iron.

Good luck and be sure you get checked over....

PA

Answer 3

I do... Sometimes I bleed to much ( heavily for 2 months or more) I become anemic if I do not take iron. The doctor told me that my iron should be at 13 but it was below 8. They said I was really pail is why they checked my hemoglobin... They also told me if it didn't go up that I my need a blood transfusion. But thank goodness it went up!!! I had to take twice the regular dosage for 6 weeks but once it was normal I started taking them only when I bleed. But I still feel anemic at times so I start taking them regularly until I start feeling better. The reason why I have this problem is because my utras is thick. Have you had a paps lately to see what the cause is? Thats how I found out. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

I would recommend that you see your dr about all this, especially because of the symptoms you mentioned to see what could be causing it. In the mean time you can try increasing your iron levels thru what you eat such as thru things like eating spinach, raisins, peanut butter (if not allergic to peanuts of course). I found that this has helped me out in the past few months to ease some of the flow and I don't have as much cramping.

Answer 5

yeah thats probably a real good idea. you may want to head to the doc to get a CBC, complete blood count. that can tell you if your anemic or not. if you do take the iron vitamins its best to take them with a meal and with orange juice bc that will help with the absorption. you will more than likely have some side effects though. diarrhea, constipation are the most common. your poop will turn dark green or black. good luck!

Answer 6

No, take them everyday

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