Taking an iron supplement

Taking an iron supplement

What is iron?

One of the minerals your body needs to function properly is iron. Hemoglobin and myoglobin are made by your body using iron. A protein found in red blood cells is called hemoglobin. All the tissues and organs in your body benefit from the assistance of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen from your lungs to them. A protein called myoglobin helps the muscles of your cells get oxygen by carrying oxygen to them. Your body can not make these proteins if you do not have enough iron, which increases your risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia most often occurs when iron is deficient. Your body does not produce enough red blood cells, which is a blood disorder known as anemia.

What is ferrous sulfate?

An example of an iron supplement is ferrous sulfate. You typically consume enough food to meet your needs for iron. If you do not get enough iron from your diet, your doctor might advise ferrous sulfate. 

What is iron-deficiency anemia?

If your body does not have enough iron, iron-deficiency anemia may develop. Lack of the iron your red blood cells require causes the condition to develop. The availability of iron in your body may be impacted by several factors.

Blood loss

With blood loss comes iron loss. There are numerous ways to lose blood:

• Heavy bleeding during pregnancy or periods.
• Gastrointestinal tract bleeding can be brought on by conditions like ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease.
• Drugs that may cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Traumatic injuries and operations.
• Bleeding in your urinary system.

What are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)?

If you have a mild case of iron deficiency anemia, you might not experience any symptoms. Serious cases of the condition may present with the following symptoms:

• Fatigue: feeling worn out.
• Pallid skin.
• Breathing challenges.
• A pain in the chest.
• Quick heart rate.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.

The experience of being cold, including the perception that your hands or feet are colder than usual. 

Infections (resulting from immune system issues).

Craving non-food items like dirt or ice.

You have a strong urge to move your legs when you have restless legs.

How is anemia diagnosed?

To check your complete blood count, your doctor might order a blood test. The blood test will determine your hemoglobin level and the total number of red blood cells in your body. Your healthcare professional can determine if you have anemia if these levels are low.

What is oral iron supplementation?

You might need to take an oral iron supplement in addition to eating foods that are high in iron. An oral iron supplement has the advantage of treating your symptoms by raising iron in your body and hemoglobin levels.

Elemental iron is the term used to describe the iron in your body. Different amounts of elemental iron are found in oral iron supplements. To find out how much elemental iron a supplement contains, make sure to read the label before making your selection. Your body will absorb more iron if there is a higher concentration of elemental iron.

What are the different types of ferrous sulfate?

Oral iron supplements come in a wide range of varieties.

Ferrous sulfate is available as a tablet or a liquid.

Ferrous sulfate tablets typically have a 325 milligram (mg) dosage. There are standard tablet formats and delayed (extended) release formats.

As a liquid iron supplement, ferrous sulfate is another option. The liquid is offered as drops or an elixir.

How should I take iron supplements?

• Use an iron supplement only as instructed if your healthcare provider has recommended one.
• The supplement should be taken empty-handed.
• At least an hour before or two hours after eating a meal, take your medication.
• If the medication is in tablet form, take the tablet whole. Avoid attempting to chew it, break it, or crush it. Measure the medication precisely if you are using a liquid form. Make use of a dosing syringe rather than a spoon. The medication dose you receive may be inaccurate.
• While you are taking ferrous sulfate, your doctor may advise a special diet.
• Pay close attention to what they say.
• The supplement should be kept at room temperature and reach out to children.

Additional guidelines to bear in mind are:

1. You may want to take the supplement with food to prevent stomach upset even though it functions best when taken on an empty stomach.
2. Combining milk, caffeine, antacids, or calcium supplements with iron supplements is not advised.
3. Try to take your iron supplement with vitamin C (such as a glass of orange juice) to improve absorption.

What are the side effects of ferrous sulfate?

Water consumption is important because iron supplements can make you constipated. You may take the supplement with a stool softener. Other side effects from taking iron supplements are possible. A few of these are:

• Heartburn.
• Appetite loss.
• Abdomen pain.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Dark stool.

Supplemental ferrous sulfate side effects are typically transient. As your body becomes accustomed to the medication, it should disappear.

What are the best iron supplements?

You can choose the best iron supplement for you with the assistance of your doctor. Furthermore, they will provide you with the daily recommended iron intake. Two or more doses of the iron supplement should be taken daily for best results. In this manner, most iron is absorbed by your body. However, once daily administration of extended-release iron supplements is advised.

THE SUMMARY

You can prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia with the aid of the iron supplement ferrous sulfate. Before beginning any supplementation, consult your healthcare provider. Make sure to closely adhere to the instructions of your health provider if they advised you to begin taking ferrous sulfate. However, there are some drawbacks to ferrous sulfate as well as many advantages.

Take iron supplements only as directed by your healthcare provider.

Serious health problems can result from consuming more iron than your body requires..