Can Diarrhea Result From Taking Iron Supplements?

Iron is a crucial mineral for red blood cell production, and deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, and weakness. Iron tablets are a common form of iron supplements, with common side effects including nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Certain forms of iron are more likely to cause these side effects than others. Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. It is best to drink plenty of fluids and consume fruits, vegetables, and fiber daily. Iron pills can change the color of your stool to a greenish or grayish black, which is normal. Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, but some people may experience stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

Iron tablets can upset the stomach, causing either constipation or diarrhea, indigestion, or stomach pain. It is important to check the pill packet for advice and avoid taking them every other day. Gastrointestinal side-effects associated with oral iron treatment include nausea, flatulence, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea. In serious cases, you may vomit blood, bleed from your bottom, have a seizure, or vomit blood. Iron supplementation and fortification could induce diarrhea by causing intestinal damage through oxidative stress or initiating bacterial dysibiosis.

Do you lose iron through diarrhea?

According to a 2020 study, people with IBS may be more likely to follow restrictive diets or avoid certain foods due to their symptoms. This can cause insufficient nutrient intake, including a lack of iron, which can lead to anemia.

Reduced iron absorption in IBS may also be due to changes in bowel movements. Frequent diarrhea may not give your body enough time to absorb nutrients such as iron from your food.

In some cases, IBS can make it difficult for your body to digest certain types of carbohydrates, such as FODMAPs and insoluble fiber, due to dysfunction of your gut microbiome. This can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.

If you have IBS and are experiencing symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, or rapid heartbeat, you should contact a doctor.

How can I take iron without diarrhea?

Ferrous fumarate works best when you take it on an empty stomach. If you can, take it at least an hour before eating, and 2 hours after eating. But if it upsets your stomach, you can take it with or just after food.

Your doctor (or a pharmacist) may recommend taking ferrous fumarate with orange juice or a vitamin C supplement. Vitamin C is believed to increase the amount of iron absorbed by the body.

Swallow tablets or capsules with a drink of water or juice only. Do not take them with milk, as milk stops the iron getting into your system.

The liquid may be easier for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules.

How do you know if iron tablets are working?

Some signs that iron pills are working for iron deficiency anemia include increased energy, less weakness, and less shortness of breath or dizziness.

However, since iron deficiency anemia does not always cause symptoms, people may not display any clear signs that iron pills are or are not working. The best way to be sure is by getting a blood test.

Doctors can monitor iron supplementation to check if it is working. They can also help a person minimize any side effects, and determine the underlying cause of the anemia.

How do I tell if my iron is low?

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Iron-Deficiency Anemia?Being pale or having yellow “sallow” skin. Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy. Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity. Unexplained generalized weakness. Rapid heartbeat. Pounding or “whooshing” in the ears. Headache, especially with activity.

Iron is very important in maintaining many body functions, including the production of hemoglobin, the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen. Iron is also necessary to maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails.

Iron from the food you eat is absorbed into the body by the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract; the body only absorbs a small fraction of the iron you ingest. The iron is then released into the blood stream, where a protein called transferrin attaches to it and delivers the iron to the liver. Iron is stored in the liver as ferritin and released as needed to make new red blood cells in the bone marrow. When red blood cells are no longer able to function (after about 120 days in circulation), they are re-absorbed by the spleen. Iron from these old cells can also be recycled by the body.

Am I at Risk?. Iron deficiency is very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. The following groups of people are at highest risk for iron-deficiency anemia:

Is it bad to take iron every day?

At high doses, iron is toxic. For adults and children ages 14 and up, the upper limit – the highest dose that can be taken safely – is 45 milligrams a day. Children under age 14 should not take more than 40 milligrams a day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that – starting at 4 months of age – full-term, breastfed infants should be supplemented each day with 1 milligram of oral iron per kilogram of body weight. This should continue until iron-containing complementary foods, such as iron-fortified cereals, are added to the diet. Standard infant formula that contains 12 milligrams per liter of iron can fulfill the iron needs of an infant until age 1.

Ask your health care provider how much iron supplement you or your child should take, if any.

Is it okay to take iron tablets every day?

What does the Department of Health and Social Care advise?. Most people should be able to get all the iron they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take iron supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm. But continue taking a higher dose if advised to by a GP.

Page last reviewed: 03 August 2020 Next review due: 03 August 2023.

What are the side effects of iron tablets?

Adverse Effects. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, such as nausea/vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, metallic taste, staining of the teeth, or epigastric distress. Patients may feel uncomfortable with the change in stool caliber and color to green or ‘tarry black.’ Many oral iron supplements (ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate) formulations are associated with higher GI side effects than IV iron or placebo. Patients can decrease the adverse effects by taking iron supplements on an adjusted regimen (i. e., three times a week instead of daily), or taking it with food, although this may decrease the absorption and be less convenient for the patient, which may lead to non-compliance.

The adverse effects of IV iron may be infusion reactions and anaphylaxis.

Iron may decrease the absorption of other medications by forming an insoluble complex with those agents. These include methyldopa/levodopa, fluoroquinolones, penicillin, or tetracyclines.

Does black poop mean iron tablets are working?

Taking iron tablets can turn the stool a dark, almost black color (actually dark green). This is normal, and does not mean that the iron tablets are causing GI bleeding. Children are at particular risk of iron poisoning (overdose), making it very important to store iron tablets out of the reach of children.

What helps with iron diarrhea?

• Try to take the pills on an empty stomach. You can do this about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. But you may need to take iron with food to avoid an upset stomach.
• Do not take antacids or drink milk or anything with caffeine within 2 hours of when you take your iron. They can keep your body from absorbing the iron well.
• Vitamin C may help your body absorb iron. Some people take iron pills with a glass of orange juice or some other food high in vitamin C.
• Iron pills may cause stomach problems. These include heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. It can help to drink plenty of fluids and include fruits, vegetables, and fibre in your diet.
• It’s normal for iron pills to make your stool a greenish or greyish black. But internal bleeding can also cause dark stool. So it’s important to tell your doctor about any colour changes.
• Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your iron pills. Even after you start to feel better, it will take several months for your body to build up its supply of iron.
• If you miss a pill, don’t take a double dose.
• Keep iron pills out of the reach of small children. Too much iron can be very dangerous.

Does diarrhea mean low iron?

Low iron levels can affect IBS by causing fatigue, weakness, and digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. These effects can further complicate IBS management.

Digestive problems such as irritable bowel disease, celiac disease, and gastrointestinal bleeding can cause anemia by reducing your body’s ability to absorb iron or causing blood loss.

Yes, you can take iron supplements when your IBS is in remission. But it’s important to speak with a doctor first, as some forms of iron supplements may worsen IBS symptoms.

Is it normal to have diarrhea while taking iron pills?

Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach. Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem.

Milk, calcium and antacids should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after having these foods before taking your 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