Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Iron supplements and D?

I took iron supplements for quite a long time and yes they did aggravate my IBS (although I didn't know it was IBS at the time). I found that they did give me more pain and D than usual, and more C during the few days before my period. So for me it seemed that it just increased my IBS and not necessarily switched me from C to D or D to C. I am IBS-D now, but when I used to get my period I was always C right before it.

I only managed to take about 1 pill every 2-3 days, and unfortunately it never made a difference in my iron levels. The only way I got my levels up was to stop getting my period (not sure if that is the reason for your iron defficiency?) I would recommend trying to take the iron pills with a safe meal, and if you can split them and take them twice a day instead that may help. Or maybe 1/2 per day if possible.

With things like calcium, certain types of calcium are better for IBS-D than IBS-C and viseversa. Maybe with iron it is the same thing? Try to find an iron supplement that is the gentlest form? Hope someone else can give some info here..

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Kat

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