My doctor recommended I start taking iron supplements, but I forgot to ask about the best time of day to take them. Should I take them in the morning, evening, or with meals?
Oh, taking iron on an empty stomach made me throw up so badly during my first few weeks! My doctor practically suggested taking it after a light snack in the evening instead. If you feel nauseous, try not to take it in the morning, and always consult your doctor.
In our family, elders suggest taking iron after meals to avoid stomach upset, but my doctor advised me to take it at night before sleeping. I followed my gynac's advice because she knew my blood test results. Please check with your doctor for your correct timing.
I am currently planning my pregnancy and was reading about how crucial iron is. Most docs seem to start it around the second trimester, but I guess it depends on your blood reports. It's always best to ask your gynac for the exact schedule that suits you.
When I was staying at my parents' place, my mother would give me my iron tablet with a glass of fresh orange juice in the evening. She said vitamin C helps the iron absorb better, which the doctor also agreed with. Just avoid taking it along with your calcium tablet.
I used to worry so much about the timing of my iron tablets because I heard they can cause severe acidity! My gynac told me to take them in the afternoon, at least two hours after my lunch and calcium pill. Please make sure you don't take them with milk or calcium, it was a huge anxiety trigger for me!
