Iron deficiency causes a feeling of exhaustion which can compromise the quality of life. Before taking supplements, you should try to increase your iron intake by consuming foods that are rich in iron; however, if this method does not lead to good results, your doctor may advise you to start supplement therapy. Whether you are taking them for the first time or have already taken them in the past, it is still important to know how to take them so that the body can absorb iron as efficiently as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Establishing the Amount of Iron Needed
Step 1. Talk to your doctor to find out how much iron you need to take each day
The daily dose depends on several factors, including general health, gender and age. It is therefore advisable to consult your doctor to find out the specific quantity suitable for your needs, after informing him of your personal situation and your medical history.
- Usually, women need more than men; for them the average daily dose is 18 mg, while men over 18 years of age usually need 8 mg per day.
- Generally speaking, children need more iron than adults; moreover, adult women and women who are reaching menopause have lower needs for this metal; at this age about 8 mg is sufficient.
Step 2. Learn about disorders that require increased blood iron concentration
Some pathologies prevent the body from absorbing it effectively, which means that it is necessary to assimilate it every day in other forms. Among these diseases or physical conditions consider:
- Nephropathies;
- Crohn's disease;
- Celiac disease;
- Pregnancy;
- Ulcerative colitis.
Step 3. Choose the supplement in the form you prefer
Iron can be taken in various different forms; usually, it is a completely personal choice based on your preferences. You can find the supplement in:
- Tablets (chewable or not);
- Capsules;
- Liquid form.
Step 4. Consider increasing your iron intake through food rather than supplements
Obviously, if your doctor has told you that you need the supplements, you must follow his directions; however, if you have chosen to take iron on your own, you can try enriching your diet with foods that contain it before spending money on other products. Here are some suggestions:
- Red meat such as beef
- Leaner meats such as poultry and fish
- Fortified cereals and muesli;
- Legumes;
- Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
- Dried fruit.
Step 5. Avoid getting too much iron
The general rule is to limit yourself to a daily intake of 45 mg, unless you have particularly serious health conditions and your doctor prescribes other supplements. Fortunately, the body is structured in such a way that it can regulate the amount of iron that is absorbed; however, this natural system does not always work effectively. Some signs of iron poisoning are:
- Vomiting, nausea and diarrhea;
- Dehydration;
- Cramps or abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool.
Step 6. Monitor the situation after two months
Iron deficiency tends to improve over a couple of months of supplement therapy; however, this does not mean that you should stop taking it.
Your doctor may advise you to continue the treatment for another 12 months; in this way, you can make sure that the iron stores in the bone marrow increase
Part 2 of 3: Taking Supplements Effectively
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking before starting iron supplement treatment
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with this metal; in particular, iron may be less effective in combination with the following active ingredients:
- Penicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines. You should always consult your doctor before taking iron, regardless of the type of drug therapy you are on.
- If you take the drug at least two hours after the iron supplement, interactions are less likely to occur between the two substances.
Step 2. Preferably take the supplement early in the day when the stomach is empty
It is believed that the body absorbs it better when you haven't eaten yet.
However, some people find that taking it on an empty stomach can cause damage, as well as cramps. If this is the case, eat a small amount of food before ingesting the supplement so that you don't feel nauseous
Step 3. Drink orange juice while taking the iron
Vitamin C is believed to help the body absorb the supplement better; therefore, make sure to always drink a glass of orange juice with the metal, to help the body metabolize it more effectively.
- Alternatively, you can take a vitamin C supplement alongside the iron.
- You can also eat foods that are rich in it; among these consider citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits, vegetables such as peppers and broccoli and other green leafy vegetables.
Step 4. Avoid certain foods while on the iron cure
Although some foods rich in vitamin C help the body absorb it, others can actually hinder its ability. Among these the main ones are:
- Foods or beverages that contain a lot of caffeine, such as coffee, black tea, and chocolate
- Foods rich in fiber; these include vegetables such as kale and spinach, bran products and whole grains such as bread or rice;
- When taking iron, you should also avoid drinking milk or eating dairy products.
Step 5. Avoid certain supplements when taking iron
Calcium and antacids can prevent the body from absorbing it; for this reason, you should wait at least two hours after taking other food supplements before taking your daily dose of iron.
Part 3 of 3: Managing the Side Effects of Iron Supplements
Step 1. Expect to notice stains on the teeth
Unfortunately, some iron supplements in liquid form can cause stains, making your teeth darker. Fortunately, these are patches that you can brush off with a baking soda-based toothpaste (or even simple baking soda).
- Alternatively, you can drink the supplement from a straw to limit contact with your teeth and minimize staining.
- However, you can discuss with your doctor the possibility of changing the type of supplement and for example switching to tablets.
Step 2. If you feel nauseous, ask your doctor if you need to reduce your dosage
If you are taking a high dosage, you may feel quite nauseous; however, you can alleviate this discomfort by changing the type of supplement, eating some food while taking it or reducing the amount.
However, it is extremely important to speak to your doctor before making any changes to your therapy
Step 3. Take an emollient if you start to get constipated but can't stop the iron cure
If you are on this therapy and cannot stop or reduce the dosage for health reasons, you may want to consider taking some laxative to manage constipation. Here are the most common medications for this discomfort:
- Lubiprostone;
- Sodium docusate;
- Bisacolide (Dulcolax);
- Fiber in capsules (Metamucil).
Step 4. Monitor the appearance of the stool
While it may seem unusual or rather unpleasant, iron can actually alter its appearance and you should therefore check it out. Supplements often tend to make them black and in this case it is a completely normal phenomenon; however, there are cases where a change can mean an anomaly. Here's what you need to pay attention to:
- Red or bloody stools
- Pain in the abdomen while you defecate.
