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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Written by - Jan 24, 2022 Photo Credit: by Sora Shimazaki, Pexels.comAnemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children and pregnant women. WHO estimates that 42% of children less than 5 years of age and 40% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic. Iron-deficiency anemia is most common in patients who have greater needs such as children and pregnant women and in people who may be losing more blood than normal such as in pre-menopausal women and in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when there is insufficient iron in the body to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is required to make red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Inability to circulate sufficient oxygen around the body leads to the fatigue and other symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia.What are the symptoms of Iron-Deficiency Anemia?It is possible to be anemic with no significant symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, the most common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are tiredness, paleness, fast heartbeats, dizziness, headache, moodiness or even erectile dysfunction. If you ever find yourself feeling any of these symptoms, it is important to check with your doctor to get your iron levels checked and to rule out any other possible causes. Once your doctor determines that your iron is low, based on your lab test results, the doctor may prescribe you some iron supplements or direct you to the pharmacy. After taking iron supplements for 3 months be sure to return to your doctor to check if your iron levels have been normalized. Having too much iron is equally harmful.What are the main causes of low iron? Iron deficiency may be caused by 2 main reasons. First, low iron intake from diet and/or inability to properly absorb iron may lead to iron deficiency. Secondly, blood loss via heavy menstruation in women, bleeding ulcer, blood donation e.t.c. may also contribute to low iron levels.What are the different types of iron supplements?Iron supplements may be administered as oral or injectable products. Injectable iron is usually reserved for a more complicated cases of iron deficiency. The most commonly used form of iron supplements are the oral drugs since they are generally effective, readily available, inexpensive, and safe.There are 3 common iron salts: Ferrous gluconate, Ferrous sulphate, Ferrous fumarate giving 35 mg, 60 mg and 100 mg elemental iron per tablet respectfully.Iron supplements can also be classified as heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is more readily absorbed than the non-heme iron sources. Better absorption profile of heme iron supplements makes them a potentially better option to avoid related side effects e.g. Hemeboost. Please note that heme iron is usually derived from animal sources, so may not be an ideal option for
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