Believe it or not, you can be taking an iron supplement daily and still not get the amount of iron you need — if your body is not absorbing it correctly. An iron-rich diet can be challenging to sustain, especially if you need to build up a significant amount of iron. Some foods and nutrients are natural iron inhibitors — they diminish the absorption of iron and make it difficult for you to reach optimal levels. If you want to reap all the benefits of an optimal iron intake, you need to ensure you are absorbing iron well and that you are getting enough iron in your diet.
Active Iron supplements are designed with a unique formula, the protein layer makes them more easily absorbed and gentle on your stomach. Studies have proven that the Active Iron formula doubles the amount of iron compared to ferrous sulfate absorbed in the small intestine, all while being so gentle that you can take it on an empty stomach.
So if you want to know how long it will take for your iron supplements to work, start taking Active Iron today. Get Your Copy. Thank you! 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 may need to continue taking supplements for another 6 to 12 months to build up the body's iron stores in the bone marrow. Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach.
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.
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. Drinking 8 ounces milliliters of fluid with an iron pill is also OK. Constipation due to iron pills is common. If constipation becomes a problem, take a stool softener such as docusate sodium Colace.
Nausea and vomiting may occur with higher doses, but they can be controlled by taking the iron in smaller amounts. Ask your provider about switching to another form of iron rather than just stopping. Keep tablets in a cool place. Taking iron supplement pills and getting enough iron in your food will correct most cases of iron deficiency anemia. You usually take iron pills 1 to 3 times a day. To get the most benefit from the pills, take them with vitamin C ascorbic acid pills or orange juice.
Vitamin C helps your body absorb more iron. Most people start to feel better within a few days of beginning treatment. Even though you feel better, you will need to keep taking the pills for several months to build up your iron stores.
Sometimes it takes up to 6 months of treatment with iron supplements before iron levels return to normal. You may need to get iron through an IV if you have problems with the iron pills or if your body doesn't absorb enough iron from food or iron pills. If your anemia is severe, your doctor may give you a blood transfusion to correct your anemia quickly and then have you start on iron supplement pills and a diet high in iron. Usually, people can eliminate iron deficiency anemia by taking iron as pills and adding iron in their diet.
If your anemia is not corrected with these treatments, your doctor might do more testing to look for other causes of your anemia, such as new bleeding or difficulty absorbing iron from pills. These tests may be the same as those initially used to diagnose your anemia. If you suspect you have iron deficiency anemia, do not take iron pills without consulting your doctor.
Taking iron pills could delay the diagnosis of a serious problem such as colorectal cancer or a bleeding ulcer. If the anemia is not due to iron deficiency, taking iron pills will not relieve the anemia and could cause poisoning iron toxicity. It could also cause an iron overload condition called hemochromatosis , especially in people who have a genetic tendency toward storing too much iron in their bodies.
In some people, iron pills cause stomach discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and black stool. Iron is best absorbed if taken on an empty stomach. But if you are having stomach problems, you may need to take the pills with food. Do not take iron pills with milk, caffeinated drinks, or antacids. If the side effects of your iron pills make you feel too sick, talk to your doctor. He or she may know of another type of iron pill you can take.
If you get iron through an IV, there is a risk of an allergic reaction. If you have iron deficiency anemia, talk with your doctor about taking iron supplement pills and getting enough iron in your food each day. In some people, iron supplements can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and black stool. If you think you have anemia, do not take iron pills without talking with your doctor.
If the iron loss is from intestinal bleeding, taking iron pills may delay the diagnosis of a serious problem such as a bleeding ulcer or colon cancer. If the anemia is not due to iron deficiency, taking iron pills will not relieve the anemia and may cause poisoning iron toxicity or iron overload hemochromatosis. You can prevent anemia in babies and children by following recommendations for feeding infants and by making sure babies and children get enough iron.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will test your iron level at your first prenatal visit, and he or she will give you prenatal vitamins that include iron 30 mg a day. If you are anemic, your doctor will give you a higher-dose pill to take. Current as of: September 23, Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Iron Deficiency Anemia. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is iron deficiency anemia?
What causes iron deficiency anemia? You might have low iron levels because you: Have heavy menstrual bleeding. Are not getting enough iron in food. This can happen in people who need a lot of iron, such as small children, teens, and pregnant women. Have bleeding inside your body. This bleeding may be caused by problems such as ulcers , hemorrhoids , or cancer.
This bleeding can also happen with regular aspirin use. Bleeding inside the body is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and in women after menopause. Cannot absorb iron well in your body. This problem may occur if you have celiac disease or if you have had part of your stomach or small intestine removed. What are the symptoms? As anemia gets worse, you may: Feel weak and tire out more easily. Feel dizzy. Be grumpy or cranky. Have headaches. Look very pale.
Feel short of breath. Have trouble concentrating. Babies and small children who have anemia may: Be fussy. Have a short attention span.
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