Iron is a mineral which is needed by our bodies to function properly and this mineral helps our muscles to store as well as use oxygen. Iron is also a part of several enzymes which help the cells to function correctly.

Anemia is a condition in which there is deficiency of iron in the body and the number of red blood cells decreases. In anemia, the hemoglobin content in the blood gets much below normal and this is the most common disorder of the blood.

iron deficiency anemia treatment supplements

This is a condition which is commonly observed in children and women with menorrhagia.  It is often caused due to having whole cow’s milk which is less on the iron content. Some symptoms of anemia are fatigue, dizziness, anorexia and exertional dyspnea.  The following is a detailed account of iron deficiency anemia treatment supplements and methods:

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia

  • In order to diagnose the deficiency of iron, one may need to first get a few tests done such as complete blood count test, peripheral blood smear and iron indices etc.  The test of iron indices is used to find the differences between microcytic anemia or iron deficiency and hemoglobinopathy.

Treatment Supplements of Iron Deficiency Anemia

  • The best way to treat the deficiency of iron is through iron supplementation.  This is generally done by oral methods and it generally takes about 6 months for the iron content in the body to return back to normal.
  • One has to take a daily multivitamin with iron or increase the iron content in terms of diet by having those foods which are high on the iron content.
  •  Further maintenance of iron can be provided by better supplementation of iron through many kinds of tablets and pills.

Immediate Action

  • In some cases, the iron deficiency will be so prominent and serious that it may lead to hospitalization due to angina or high output heart failure. In such a case, blood transfusion is the only available option left for the doctors to use.
  •  If anemia is life threatening then red blood cells have to be transfused. But this treatment depends upon the exact condition of the patient such as his/her rate of blood loss, patient’s hematocrit, and other conditions like cardiac decompensation or angina etc.
  • In such a scenario, before the transfusion, serum iron, ferritin and total iron binding capacity has to be drawn. This is done to ensure clarity in the diagnosis.