If you’re here then you’ve probably Google’d about: should i take iron vitamins.
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How Much Iron Do I Need?
Speak to a GP or a registered dietitian for more advic.
Why Do You Need Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral. Hemoglobin represents about two-thirds of the body’s iron.
If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t make enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells. “If you’re not getting sufficient oxygen in the body, you’re going to become fatigued,” Thomas says. That exhaustion can affect everything from your brain function to your immune system’s ability to fight off infections.
Iron has other important functions, too.
Why Do People Take Iron?
Anemia can cause fatigue and other symptoms. Iron supplements are often prescribed to treat anemia caused by:
Pregnancy
Heavy menstrual periods
Kidney disease
Chemotherapy
Those who may be at risk for iron deficiency include preterm infants, young children, teenage girls, and pregnant women, as well as people with certain health conditions including chronic heart failure, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease and ulcerative colitis.
Iron supplements are commonly recommended for women who are pregnant or of childbearing age to help prevent anemia. Before taking an iron supplement, ask your health care provider if it is right for yo.
Information
Other common chemical forms are ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate.
Ask your health care provider how many pills you should take each day and when you should take them. Taking more iron than your body needs can cause serious medical problems. Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people.
You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem. Milk, calcium and antacids should NOT be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after having these foods before taking your iron supplements.
Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include:
High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran
Foods or drinks with caffeine
Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill. This can help the iron absorb into your body. Iron tablets may cause other drugs you are taking to not work as well.
Some of these include tetracycline, penicillin, and ciprofloxacin and drugs used for hypothyroidism, Parkinson disease, and seizures. Medicines that reduce stomach acid will impair iron absorption. Your provider may suggest changing these.
Side EFFECTS
Constipation due to iron pills is common. If constipation becomes a problem, take a stool softener such as docusate sodium (Colace). Black stools are normal when taking iron tablets.
Talk to your provider right away if:
The stools are tarry-looking as well as black
If the stools have red streaks
Cramps, sharp pains, or soreness in the stomach occur
Liquid forms of iron may stain your teeth. Try mixing the iron with water or other liquids (such as fruit juice or tomato juice) and drinking the medicine with a straw. Iron stains can be removed by brushing your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.
If your child swallows an iron pill, contact a poison control center right awa.