We will do our best to answer this and many other similar questions in this article which should ease your mind regarding this subject.
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Iron is important in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.
How Much Iron Do I Need?
The amount of iron you need is:
8.7mg a day for men over 18
14.8mg a day for women aged 19 to 50
8.7mg a day for women over 50
You should be able to get all the iron you need from your daily diet. Women who lose a lot of blood during their monthly period (heavy periods) are at higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia and may need to take iron supplements.
Why Do People Take Iron?
Iron supplements are most often used for certain types of anemia.
If you have symptoms of anemia, seek care from your health care provider. Iron supplements are commonly recommended for women who are pregnant or of childbearing age to help prevent anemia.
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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. Blood counts return to normal after 2 months of iron therapy for most people.
Tips FOR TAKING IRON
Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem. Drinking 8 ounces (240 milliliters) of fluid with an iron pill is also OK.
Tell your provider about all the medicines you are taking.
Iron tablets may cause other drugs you are taking to not work as well. Medicines that reduce stomach acid will impair iron absorption. Your provider may suggest changing these.
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.
Iron stains can be removed by brushing your teeth with baking soda or peroxide. Keep tablets in a cool place. Keep iron supplements out of the reach of children.