do iron supplements cause smelly gas?

According to Wirtz, taking magnesium supplements can also cause magnesium toxicity, which in turn can "result in various side effects such as low blood pressure, vomiting, retention of urine, depression, and muscle weaknesses." However, Wirtz clarifies that this particular side effect is unusual and "generally associated with . 2023 ConsumerLab.com, LLC. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Stop taking iron supplements and see your doctor if your gas is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss; oily, bloody, tarry or unusually foul-smelling stools; nausea; vomiting or heartburn. Remember, foul-smelling gas once in a while is OK, but its chronic, we have to get to the bottom of why its happening, Dr. Sonpal says. Iron poisoning symptoms usually become apparent within six to 24 hours of a dose. What supplements dont cause GI side effects? Its also important to talk to your doctor to make sure you take the amount of iron you need, as too much iron also has its share of negative health implications. Once started, you would need to continue treatment even if you feel better and no longer have symptoms. Taking iron supplements that you dont need can lead to a serious condition called iron overload. In other words, if you live off a diet of coffee and cereal, you might find yourself with fewer red blood cells. Gas and bloating. may increase the amount of iron you absorb. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Some digestive enzymes, including alpha-galactosidase (Beano) can help break down indigestible nutrients such as plant fiber. Iron supplements are sold as tablets, capsules, and liquid. Possible side effects include dizziness, frequent urination, change in the colour of the urine, black stools, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, redness of the skin and itching. If youre already very constipated, adding more fiber may temporarily make things worse. Here are some causes: Lactose intolerance or lactose malabsorption is a condition in which a person is unable to digest the lactose (a sugar present in milk). FAQ: W. National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases. Iron supports muscle contraction and helps maintain healthy connective tissue. Anemia is a condition in which you dont have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. It is advisable for that you eat slowly to give your digestive system time to adjust, Dietary changes can also reduce foul smelling gas. Most people pass gas at least 12 times per day. You may notice that you have less constipation if you take your iron supplement with food. Flatulence, commonly referred to as "passing gas" or "farting," is a normal biological process the body uses to help get rid of small amounts of air that are swallowed or that build up during digestion. Iron supplements are known to cause gas and bloating. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Iron pills, available as various ferrous ion salts, can be beneficial to treat a deficiency with the proper dosage but taking too much can result in health risks of toxicity, including acute liver damage. They are made from soft fabric, are thin and comfortable. A: Iron is hard on the digestive tract. Adding extra collagen protein to your regimen could lead . Other symptoms are bloating, abdominal cramping and nausea. Celiac disease is another reason you might have foul-smelling farts, Dr. Sonpal says. When used to treat iron-deficiency anemia, iron supplements are sometimes effective and well-tolerated and, in other cases not. Rather than reaching for a pill, start by adding iron-rich foods to your meal plan, the highest of which include: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Iron deficiency, also known assideropenia, is the state in which your body lacks the iron needed to maintain normal function. Stop taking iron supplements and see your doctor if your gas is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss; oily, bloody, tarry or unusually foul-smelling stools; nausea; vomiting or heartburn. Join our mailing list. Another cause behind that smell, though, can be B-6 vitamins, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Iron pills may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. Most of the odor is from sulfur compounds. If you experience flatulence with ferrous sulfate, ask your doctor about switching to ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate. Iron supplements . HIgh-fiber foods and food intolerances are some of the main culprits of smelly farts. On top of that, some of our favourite healthy foods can actually inhibit iron absorption, such as spinach, nuts, beans, and egg whites. "The first thing you might want to do is think back to what you ate," Dr. Lee says. Treatment for smelly gas will depend on the underlying issue you have, so thats why its important to see a doctor if you notice that your farts are chronically foul and youre producing a lot of it. Start with low doses, since these products also increase gas. First things first, ask your doctor for their recommendation. This a parasitic disease caused by a parasite called Giardia lamblia which is normally present in feces, contaminated food or water. What are the side effects of iron supplements for anemia? If you already know youre sensitive to iron, start with half the recommended dosage provided by your doc. 1. Iron is an essential element for blood production. Clin Toxicol (Phila). avoid symptoms of nausea, suggests MedlinePlus. Constipation is the most common side effect, but iron supplements can also cause nausea, indigestion, gas and bloating. Because of the inherent danger of overdosing with iron supplements, upper limits have been established as a guideline, according to NIH. This can result in iron deficiency anemia symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic, and may include: Read More: 3 Fast Ways of Getting Iron in the Blood. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Excessive doses of iron can lead to iron poisoning. Iron ingestion: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. If this is the case, consider what you've eaten. Swelling. flushing, pale skin. Nausea is a common side effect reported for many medications. To correct iron deficiency, you may need to take iron supplements. If you need fiber, go with dietary changes before supplements. Core tip: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) frequently originates in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is a common cause of patient referral to gastroenterologists. Changes in blood sugar. Dietary fiber is a type of carb that your body cannot digest properly. Iron supplements are a great way to battle anemia and reverse an iron deficiency, especially if diet changes alone are unsuccessful. shallow and rapid breathing. If you experience flatulence or other gastrointestinal side effects, the NIH suggests you start with half the recommended dose. Save money by finding high-quality products at lower cost. But let your doctor know if: With higher doses, nausea and vomiting may occur. Fibre supplements and bulking agents, such as Citrucel, Fiberall, and Metamucil. drowsiness, apathy, coma, Skin: bluish-colored lips, fingernails and palms of hands; skin Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages your small intestine after eating foods that contain gluten, a type of protein naturally found in wheat, barley, and rye, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Fiber supplements are safe; generic brands can save you some money. Lynch SR, Cook JD. 6 Best Home Remedies For Varicose Veins. Smelly flatulence may be caused by high fiber in food, constipation, and bacteria. For instance, protein supplements such as whey protein or casein may contain lactose that can cause gas and bloat. If the stool color bothers you, you can work with your physician to lower your dosage. According to a 2015 review of studies in the American Journal of Medicine, as many as 27% with people with iron-deficiency anemia will not respond to oral iron supplements. The physician may advise a change of medication or sometimes the effectiveness of the dosage outweighs the side effects. Do Iron Supplements Make Poop Smell. How to Create a Safe and Supportive Environment for Independent Living, 6 Steps to Safely Dispose of Medical Waste at Home 2023 Guide, How Can You Choose the Right Care Home Questions That You Should Be Asking, Can Varicose Veins Go Away? Iron Supplementation, Response in Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Analysis of Five Trials. They all have a distinctive odor, she says. So if youre asking yourself, Why does my gas smell like metal? its likely due to certain foods in your diet. Should iron supplements be taken at a certain time of day? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Farting or flatulence is a completely normal biological process caused by the internal buildup of gases during the digestion process. PLoS One. The disease is hereditary and affects close to three million Americans. This blog breaks down everything you need to know, including what makes a good iron supplement, well, good. Okan, M.; Koch, T.; Tran, M. et al. You may, therefore, try using fart pads as a temporary remedy. Women sometimes take fluconazole (a medication to treat yeast infections), which throws off the balance and destroys all the good yeast, so you have to look at that possibility as well as to why you have foul-smelling gas, Dr. Sonpal says. stomach pain, bloating) Nausea. When starting iron supplements you may experience upset stomach, constipation or even nausea and vomiting. Accidental poisonings can happen if a child accidentally eats too many pediatric multivitamins or adult prenatal vitamins, warns MedlinePlus. But this supplement still has some side effects to be aware of. For people who have SIBO, this means that the balance of good and bad bacteria in your small intestine is off, and having an excess of bad bacteria can disrupt the digestive process and cause gastrointestinal distress, such as gas, bloating nausea, and diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Mayo Clinic: "Iron Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route)", UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: "Ferrous Sulfate (Feosol, Slow FE) Side Effects and Uses", Chest And as we know, the more iron your body can absorb, the less side effects youll experience and the more balanced your iron levels will be. The supplements that play the biggest role are probably kerp and iron. BACKGROUND:In recent years,we saw four patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in our clinical practices who developed a compulsive craving for certain odors including rubber tires, gasoline, Pine-Sol (a popular household alcohol ethoxylate-based cleaning agent), and "musty odor of the basement." Such behavior resolved after treatment of IDA, and recurred in a patient whose IDA relapsed. high, IV-level absorption rates. Heart: low blood pressure, fast and weak heartbeat, shock, dehydration. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". It is important to make sure you take the correct dosage because too much iron can be dangerous.