Anxiety and Iron Supplements

[Carebear]

Hello friends,

I have had one degree of anxiety or another most of my life, but it has been well managed in the last few years. In fact, many months have been totally symptom free.

In the last three or four weeks it has returned with a vengeance. I even had chest pain this morning during what I would call an anxiety attack. 

Nothing has changed in my life.  It's all quite good in my world. The only thing new is the use of iron supplements because I am anemic.

Can iron supplements cause anxiety?  I am unable to find a side affect like that at all. Low iron can cause anxiety but it doesn't make sense that it would start now, after all these many months.

First the unforgettable diarrhea. Now this. I'm seeing the pharmacist tomorrow to ask about this. But I thought one of you smart cookies could advise me as well.

[meirish]

I have no clue, Carebear, but if you gut is telling you this could be an issue you might want to just stop the iron until you get more information from pharmacy and doctors. You are wise and would know that meds can cause just about anything crazy and unusual for any of us.

Somehow, I always think that those of us with a lot of health issues are the ones that get these crazy, side effects or what ever. I have had chest pain that was bad but I had it the evening of a couple of IVIG infusions so I just sat and rested and waited for it to go away. Always a smart move....I am just kidding. Fortunately, I have not had anything show up on EKG's. etc.

It would also be interesting if there are different additives in the different brands of iron that could cause issues for some people. Good luck and keep us updated on what you find out. meirish

[Linda196]

I wonder if your iron supplement contains Folate or folic acid. There are some, usually a ferrous fumarate and iron polysaccharide combo, that do and Folate/folic can cause nervousness or anxiety.

[meirish]

Thanks for that info, Linda. That is something I had never heard and very interesting. meirish