Indications and Timeline for Effectiveness of Iron Supplements
Iron supplements can be a crucial part of managing iron deficiency anemia, a common condition that affects many people worldwide. If you suspect that your iron supplement isn't working as expected, it's essential to consult a doctor.
When taking iron supplements, it's advisable to consume them with a small amount of food to help reduce side effects such as an upset stomach. It's also important to note that labels for iron supplements often list two different forms of iron: the main form that the supplement contains, and the elemental form, which is what the body actually absorbs.
To replenish low iron stores in the body, people need to take iron supplements for a minimum of three months. Taking iron pills with vitamin C or foods that contain vitamin C may help boost absorption, but a study found that absorption of iron remains the same with or without vitamin C.
Iron pills can help treat iron deficiency anemia, and a doctor can verify if they are working via a blood test. If a person with anemia symptoms takes iron pills, they may notice improvements or complete resolution of their symptoms. However, it's essential to avoid taking iron with milk, calcium, antacids, foods with high fiber content, or caffeine, as these can interfere with iron absorption.
The side effects of iron pills can include nausea, low appetite, constipation, and diarrhea, particularly with higher doses. If iron pills are not working, symptoms do not improve, or side effects are severe, a doctor may consider a higher dose, a change to iron injections, or stopping iron supplementation to test for other possible causes of low iron levels.
Doctors may recommend that people continue taking iron supplements for another month after iron stores and hemoglobin levels have increased. Different types of iron supplements have differing amounts of elemental iron. For example, ferrous sulfate contains around 20% elemental iron, while ferrous fumarate has 33%, and ferrous gluconate has only 12%.
Doctors can monitor iron supplementation to check if it is working and help a person minimize any side effects. It's important to remember that many conditions can cause weakness, low energy, and lightheadedness, so it's crucial to seek a diagnosis from a medical professional if a person has not already done so.
Additional symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include cold hands and feet, pale skin, swollen or sore tongue, brain fog, weakness, dizziness, brittle nails, headaches, shortness of breath, mouth ulcers, and impaired concentration. Some people also experience pica (craving nonfood items like ice), rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced libido, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Most patients notice improvements in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and dizziness within 24 to 48 hours after starting iron supplements or IV iron therapy. However, full benefits typically take a few weeks as the body fully incorporates the iron into new red blood cells. During this time, it's important to continue following medical advice about iron intake and addressing any underlying causes of the deficiency.
Lastly, alternate day dosing may work as well, if not better than, taking iron every day for people with iron deficiency anemia. Taking a slow-release form of iron, taking the pills with food, or taking iron on alternate days may help reduce side effects.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Iron deficiency anemia. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373712
[2] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Iron Deficiency Anemia. [online] Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia
[3] NHS. (2021). Iron deficiency anaemia. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/
[4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Iron deficiency anemia. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16895-iron-deficiency-anemia
[5] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Iron deficiency anemia. [online] Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/iron-deficiency-anemia
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