Iron deficiency anaemia can have several underlying causes. The identification of causative factors is necessary to truly address the reasons behind a fall in iron levels, especially if the anaemia is chronic.
Iron intake for daily maintenance requires that the average adult consumes 12-15mg Iron a day. Needs are increased for people on certain medications, pregnancy, menstruation, chronic illness, bleeding disorders and anaemia.
Iron deficiency needs to be diagnosed by a blood test conducted by your Doctor.
If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or have a diagnosed disorder that requires you to take an Iron supplement there are several factors that need to considered:
Absorbability: Many people complain that their Iron supplement causes constipation and stool discolouration. This side effect of iron is usually caused by two factors:
1. The dosage of Iron is to large
2. The type of Iron is poorly absorbed.
Unfortunately some of the more readily available cheaper supplements contain iron that causes these two problems.
In iron supplementation as with other minerals there are chemically bonded types of minerals that are highly absorbable and those that are poorly absorbable. Iron supplements that contain up to 100mg of iron usually feature an Iron oxide. This large dosage is incorporated into the supplement to account for the fact that a large percentage of it will not be absorbed. The excess of iron which is not broken down and absorbed then causes the symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation and constipation.
Ferrous fumarate and other ferrous forms of iron are considered to be the most absorbable form of supplemental iron. As Iron in supplemental form is not sourced from consuming animal products (blood iron) other nutrients will aid its absorption.
Looking for an iron supplement that provides at least 20mg of Ferrous iron with the following nutrients will ensure the iron you choose is well absorbed: Vitamin C, Vitamin B12 and Folic acid.
You should discuss your individual requirements with one of our naturopaths to ascertain how many tablets should be taken a day, based on your current Iron levels. In severe cases of anaemia Iron can be dosed at around 100mg of a suitable ferrous form. Suitable supplements include the brands Ethical Nutrients, Thompsons and Floradix.