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. You should continue taking supplements for another 6 to 12 months to build up the body's iron stores in the bone marrow. Iron is absorbed the best on an empty stomach.
It's safe to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you need to, provided that your doctor has said it's OK and you are not having any side effects. How does it compare with other medicines for iron deficiency anaemia? There are other types of iron, including ferrous sulphate and ferrous gluconate.
After the iron deficiency anemia is corrected, iron supplementation should be continued for 3 months in order to replenish iron stores; Depending on your situation, your doctor may need to monitor your hemoglobin and red blood cell levels for an additional 3 to 6 months.
In general, patients with iron deficient anemia should manifest a response to iron with reticulocytosis in three to seven days, followed by an increase in hemoglobin in 2-4 weeks.
Whether a person will keep feeling better after stopping iron pills will depend on what was causing their anemia. If they begin getting enough iron in their diet, or they lost blood due to an injury that is now healing, they may not need iron supplements in the future.
But iron is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in high doses. If you do not have iron deficiency, don't take more than 45 mg daily. Higher doses can cause stomach side effects such as nausea and vomiting and may even increase the risk for preterm birth.
While there's little scientific evidence backing this claim up, weight gain from iron pills does happen 6. One study found that individuals with iron deficiency anemia complained of weight gain during their treatment, even though oral preparations of iron aren't known to cause weight gain as a side effect.
However, too much iron is toxic. Excess iron gets deposited in your organs, and this then interferes with normal body functions, as well as the production of hormones that regulate your metabolism and sex drive. Not surprisingly, you don't feel well.
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
Oral iron supplements usually start working in about 3 to 7 days. But your hemoglobin levels could take up to 2 months to return to normal. Common side effects of iron include constipation, nausea, and stomach pain.
Decreasing iron supplements to non-consecutive days can greatly decrease bothersome side effects, but groundbreaking studies show it's also more effective! For years the standard way to give iron supplements was one dose a day.
Do not take milk or antacids at the same time as your iron supplements. Do not eat high-fibre foods such as whole grains and raw vegetables, or foods containing caffeine such as chocolate or coffee when you take your supplement. These foods can interfere with absorption.
However, two recent research studies under-taken in non-emergency situations suggest that weekly iron supplementation may be as effective as daily supplementation in restoring haemoglobin levels.
Taking iron tablets can turn the stool a dark, almost black color (actually dark green). This is normal, and does not mean that the iron tablets are causing GI bleeding. Children are at particular risk of iron poisoning (overdose), making it very important to store iron tablets out of the reach of children.
The iron supplement should be taken with a full cup of water to make sure it does not get stuck in the esophagus. 4. To reduce the risk of reflux, the person should not lie down for 30 to 60 minutes after taking the iron supplement.
Extreme fatigue and exhaustion “Fatigue is one of the most common signs of iron deficiency because it means your body is having trouble carrying the oxygen to your cells so it's affecting your energy levels,” Thayer says. People lacking enough iron in their blood often feel sluggish, weak, and unable to focus.
Yes, being deficient in iron has been linked to sleep issues. If you are having trouble getting to sleep at night, it might be best to ask a doctor to ensure you are not iron deficient.
You may also find that low iron causes weight gain. There are a couple of reasons for this; firstly, your energy levels are low and so your exercise levels reduce; secondly, iron is essential for thyroid function, and an underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
It causes fatigue and shortness of breath. The connection between low iron, body weight, and hemoglobin is apparent when low energy makes exercising and burning calories difficult, causing weight gain. Conversely, iron deficiency anemia may contribute to decreased appetite, resulting in weight loss.
Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to our organs and cells. Optimal oxygen delivery is need for all normal bodily processes including optimal brain function, energy and immunity.
Iron supplements may cause side effects, including stomach discomfort, constipation, dark stool and nausea. An iron supplement of 25 mg elemental iron or more a day can also cause your body to absorb less zinc. Zinc is an important mineral for a number of roles, including immune system function and wound healing.
As red cells break down over time, the iron in the hemoglobin is released. Your body has no natural way to rid itself of excess iron, so extra iron is stored in body tissues. That's why patients receiving transfusions are at risk for iron overload. Your body normally stores up to 3 or 4 grams of iron.