low iron - supplementing bad?

[DaisyMay]

Hi - I'm 29 weeks and my recent blood tests have shown my iron levels to be low (mildly anaemic).  I've been taking 2 doses of Floradix daily already for the past three months or so, so that obviously hasn't been enough to keep my levels up.  I also eat a (vegetarian) diet that is high in whole food iron sources. 

So my doctor wants to put me on synthetic iron supplements (not sure exactly which one) to get my levels up.  I'm planning a homebirth so don't want to risk out with low iron.  I don't have a problem taking the supplements - I took them with my first pregnancy and didn't suffer any bad side effects.  I just wanted to know whether there was any reason not to or any reason they might be bad for the baby/pregnancy.  I seem to remember my midwife with my 2nd being not keen on them, but that time round we managed to get my levels to a satisfactory place with just Floradix and increased iron in the diet.  I also can't remember her reasoning.  If anyone knows of anything and/or can link to any articles/research, that would be great.  Thanks.

[kalamos23]

28-29 weeks is the lowest point in the pregnancy for iron - do you know what your numbers were? I've been taking Vitanica's Red Blood Cell builder and felt MUCH better - for me, yellowdock in conjunction with iron really  helps me absorb it well. I can't remember if Floradix has yellowdock in it or not, but if it doesn't, it is worth a try. 

[ursusarctos]

Yes, that is the lowest point for iron because your blood volume increases dramatically around that time. In fact I've read that you actually want to see a reduction in iron then because it indicates that the volume has expanded. You could try keeping up the floradix+diet for a while and see if your numbers go back up before going on a supplement, though I don't know any reason why a supplement would be bad for you if it doesn't give you side effects.

[Ola_]

I've had low iron for years (though strangely not during pregnancy, even without supplements!) and have always taken "regular" over-the-counter supplements.  I don't think there's anything wrong with them, they may upset your stomach or cause constipation though - taking them right before bed helps IMO.

Are you doing anything to help iron absorption when you take Floradix or dietary sources of iron?  Like having it with vit C and avoiding dairy and caffeine at the same time?  That's the only other suggestion I can think of.

[Smokering]

I've heard that putting iron in baby formula wasn't a good move - maybe that's what you're thinking of? I've never heard of iron supping during pregnancy having any ill effects, though. I did Floradix for a while, but am currently on the cheap supermarket pills for reasons of frugality. The Floradix is gentler...

[DaisyMay]

Thanks a lot for your replies.  My levels were 8.9, which as I understand are low-ish but not disastrous. 

[kalamos23]

Actually, 8.9 is pretty low - my levels were 9.6 and they were concerned. As I understood it, they like to see 10+ - 12-15 is what is normal for a non-pregnant woman.

[Smokering]

Do they use a different scale in different parts of the world? In NZ the range of "normal" is between 20 and 200 - my iron levels in the first trimester were 38 and 36 (or was it 36 and 34?), and one midwife said they were lowish but not worrying, while another said they were pretty good compared to many pregnant women. According to that scale, 8.9 is really REALLY low...

[kalamos23]

20 to 200 is referring to ferritin levels in the blood while the 12 to 16 is referring to haemeglobin concentration levels in the blood.

[Smokering]

Ahhh, OK. I only got told the ferritin levels, for some reason. Which reminds me, I should go in for more bloods tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun...

[Kokopelli-mana]

My midwife told me to take Floradix Iron + Herbs. Everything else constipated me.