Interventions in the treatment of anemia
The goal of iron supplementation interventions is to improve iron status by increasing hemoglobin concentration and iron storage. Iron supplementation is used as an intervention to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia in at-risk populations.
Who are anemia treatment interventions for?
Regardless of the presence of symptoms, all patients with iron deficiency anemia and most with iron deficiency without anemia should be treated.
This is because there is a greater risk of organ damage/ischemia and the development of anemia unless the underlying cause of the deficiency is addressed and adequate iron stores are replenished.
Iron deficiency anemia treatment protocol
The first and most important issue is that the treatment should be done under the supervision and discretion of the attending physician. But in general, the following principles must be observed:
150 to 200 mg of elemental iron daily
Taking iron every other day instead of taking it daily may be more effective in treating anemia.
The prescribed dose should be divided, for example, into 3 meals a day.
In the process of treating anemia with iron supplements, it is better to know what factors increase or decrease iron in the body so that you can achieve the desired result faster:
Increase iron absorption in the body
What factors increase iron absorption:
Vitamin C
Dietary protein
Pregnancy
Iron deficiency anemia
** Iron supplementation with other micronutrients affects iron absorption (such as vitamin C) and efficacy (such as folic acid, and vitamin B12) of iron and can increase health outcomes.
Decreased absorption of iron in the body
Factors that reduce iron absorption:
Dietary calcium or supplemental calcium
Oxalate (in spinach, chocolate, etc.)
Tannins and polyphenols (in tea and coffee)
Phytate (in grains)
Dietary fiber
Antacid drugs
High iron reserves
Translated by: Bita Sayadi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bita-sayadi-197289114/