Tamoxifen and low iron

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Hello everyone,

I’ve been reading posts on here on and off for a while, after being diagnosed with grade 1 invasive ductal cancer in March. I had a lumpectomy in May with a clear marhin removed, clear sentinel node biopsy, then a week of radiotherapy, and now I’m on the long road of Tamoxifen.

I’ve found it quite a mixture so far. I was pretty good for the first two weeks, then i had a few issues, such as terrible constipation, which I have relieved massively by making my own kefir with grains donated by a kind friend. It has made a huge difference to my stomach pain and ability to go to the toilet :flushed::sweat_smile:

But I’ve been getting a lot of palpitations for the last two weeks, (Ive been on it for 34 days now) and shortness of breath at the smallest exertion. A year ago, I had low iron levels. I wasnt anaemic, because my haemoglobin was fine, but my ferritin was 10, and i felt pretty much the same as i do right now. I spoke to the doctor yesterday, and i have a blood test arranged, but it’s not until 30th September. I would really like to take steps to start feeling better before then, and i was windering whether anyone has taken Floradix with Tamoxifen, and whether it’s ok to take with it. I know Ferrous Fumerate tablets, which i took for four months at the end if last year, are fine to take with it, but i want to wait for the bloods results before I start on that. Floradix is much milder, but may help me feel a bit better.

In general, the feeling Tamoxifen gives my insides is fairly unpleasant. I’d be really interested to hear other people’s general experiences of it, too.

Thanks, everyone :blush::heart:

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Hi, I follow this thread because I chose not to take Tamoxifen, so am interested to hear about the side effects. Unfortunately, not many ladies taking it who don’t have problems with it post, so I mainly get to hear the bad effects. I feel so fit & well after my surgeries & radiotherapy I can’t cope with feeling bad. Hope all goes well.

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Hi sjn

As @balchik said, often people do not post when they are not having side effects so it can seem when browsing support groups that it is the norm to feel unwell while taking Tamoxifen. There will be many, myself included, who do not have any negative effects so I try to share another perspective for people wanting to read about different experiences.

I may be in a minority (or maybe not?!), but I feel really positive about Tamoxifen which I have been on for three months. My periods are now regular (which they have never been before) and my skin is clearer. I had 4 or 5 days after a couple of weeks where I found it tricky to concentrate but changed the time I take it from lunchtime to 5pm and after that had no further issues (could be unrelated and I was maybe simply getting used to the medication). I am perhaps a little bit warmer at night but that is very minor. I’ve also changed brands to what was available and it hasn’t made any difference for me. I am no medical professional, but I am convinced exercise helps.

I’m sorry you are experiencing difficulties and hope you are able to find some relief. Best of luck with everything. x

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