Why does iron make you constipated

If your doctor has recommended iron supplements, making a few changes to your diet may help prevent constipation. Take your iron supplement with a glass of orange juice, or other vitamin-C-rich drink, to improve absorption, and eat some food with it to help minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.

You may be able to prevent or minimize constipation by drinking adequate amounts of water, at least 8 cups a day, and making sure you get enough fiber from foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Iron supplements are available in a number of different forms, including ferrous sulfate, ferric citrate and amino acid chelate.

The latter is the gentlest on the stomach and may be least likely to cause constipation. Taking more iron than you need in supplement form may cause nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, in addition to constipation. Chen, who recommends less-invasive approaches.

You may also consider using "slow-release" or "enteric-coated" iron supplements to reduce GI discomfort, but keep in mind that these forms decrease the amount of iron your body absorbs, says Dr.

Chen, who stresses that you should only make these kind of changes with your doctor's consent. Health Bladder and Bowel Conditions Constipation. Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience. Jaime Osnato. Jaime Osnato is a freelance writer and licensed social worker based in NYC. Constipation is a common side effect of iron supplements, so you may not want to take them if you don't need to for medical reasons. Video of the Day. Tip If you have a health condition or are concerned about your iron levels, talk to your doctor about whether an iron supplement is right for you, and which kind of supplement you should take.

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.

Tell your provider about all the medicines you are taking. Iron tablets may cause other drugs you are taking to not work as well. Some of these include tetracycline, penicillin, and ciprofloxacin and drugs used for hypothyroidism, Parkinson disease, and seizures. Medicines that reduce stomach acid will impair iron absorption.

A slowly releasing iron pill can travel past this area before releasing iron, so that you don't ever have a chance to absorb it. To avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids and try to be more physically active. If you need fiber, go with dietary changes before supplements.

Eat more whole grain foods and vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini and celery. Take it slow, since these foods often increase intestinal gas. Fiber supplements are safe; generic brands can save you some money. Start with low doses, since these products also increase gas.

If you're already very constipated, adding more fiber may temporarily make things worse.