Therapeutic doses of iron used to prevent and treat iron deficiency may cause unpleasant digestive side effects, including diarrhea. Try to meet your daily iron needs from food sources of iron whenever possible. If you have increased iron needs or chronic malabsorption, you may need iron supplements to prevent deficiencies. Only take iron supplements if your doctor has told you to.
Side Effects
Constipation and diarrhea commonly occur when you take iron supplements. Other side effects of iron supplements include nausea, vomiting and black stools. Contact your doctor if you have abnormal side effects, such as tarry or streaked stools, sharp stomach pains or soreness in the stomach.
Minimizing Side Effects
Taking iron supplements in smaller, divided doses can help reduce side effects, such as diarrhea, and improve absorption. Beginning with a small dose and gradually increasing to the recommended dose can also help minimize side effects, advises the Office of Dietary Supplements. Delayed release or enteric coated iron supplements may cause fewer side effects for some people, but the body absorbs less iron from these products.
Taking Supplements With Food
Taking iron supplements with food can reduce the amount of iron your body absorbs. However, people who cannot tolerate iron supplements on an empty stomach may need to take iron with some food to minimize diarrhea or other side effects. If you take iron with food, avoid foods that inhibit iron absorption, such as calcium, dairy products, high-fiber whole grains, bran and raw vegetables, coffee, tea and soybeans. Vitamin C can boost iron absorption, so consider taking iron with a vitamin C supplement or a glass of orange juice.
Need for Supplements
Those with increased iron needs, such as pregnant women, low birth weight infants and distance runners, may need iron supplements to prevent a deficiency. Teenage girls and women of childbearing age lose iron during menstruation and may need supplements to prevent deficiency. Other conditions that may cause a need for iron supplements include Crohn's disease, celiac disease and renal failure. Postmenopausal women and adult men should avoid taking iron supplements without a doctor's supervision, because these groups have a greater risk of iron overload, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements.
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