Question 1

i'm a woman and a vegetarian. should i take iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

Depends : Have your blood count checked to see if you are anemic.  Most vegetarians can get adequate amounts of iron through their diet provided they eat a healthy and varied diet.

Question 2

should i take iron supplements when i have constant fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Get checked by an md, iron only works for iron defiency, could be other things, and it could be serious.

Question 3

my ferritin is low, 15 ng/ml. should i take iron supplements? how much, how often, and what type?

Accepted Answer

Iron ?: There are a few things we look at if we are considering iron deficiency anemia and ferritin is only one of those things. We especially also like to see a low- low normal iron in addition to a possible cause of blood loss and symptoms such as fatigue and pallor. Iron pills are also generally constipation so I would not start them without a definitive diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.

Question 4

if my hemoglobin is 13.5 and my iron saturation level is at an 8 should i take  iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

Probably: You are not anemic, but probably are tending toward iron deficiency. Talk to the doc who ordered the tests for guidance on more testing and/or therapy.

Question 5

kindly asking my hb now is 11.4 ,s.ferritin 127 other blood indicies regarding anemia is normal i'm 78 yr and have ckd ,so should i take iron supplements and what is the usual dose and duration for such hb and what iron formula usually preferred?

Accepted Answer

: Lab values presented in your question are close to normal for hemoglobin, so taking "over the counter" ferrous sulfate with a daily multivitamin should be sufficient.  Consult your primary care physician, as there may be other considerations not included in the information provided.

Question 6

i have polycythemia vera and after my last phlebotomy my ferritin level went down to 6. is that severe? should i take iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

That's fine: That's actually what you want, if you've really got polycythemia vera. Now I'm concerned about something. You say you're only 29. At your age, true polycythemia vera would be almost unheard-of. Is the diagnosis correct? Has it been demonstrated by today's molecular biology? It is possible that you have a high-affinity hemoglobin or a right-to-left shunt? Just wondering.

Question 7

if i have a vitamin b12 deficiency does it mean that i also have an iron deficiency? should i take iron supplements that come together with vitb group

Accepted Answer

No : There is no link between vitamin b12 deficiency &amp; iron deficiency anemias. Only take iron therapy if proven iron deficient by laboratory testing.

Question 8

should i take iron supplement or multivitamin to replace the iron i've just lost during period?

Accepted Answer

See below: Some ladies loose a lot of blood during their periods for multiple reasons. They are therefore prone to develop iron deficiency anemia. Before taking iron, have your doctor run a complete blood count; and if necessary do other iron studies (serum iron, ferritin, TIBC etc.).

Question 9

please suggest what food should i take with iron supplements?

Accepted Answer

Ascorbic acid: Vit c (ascorbic acid) increases the absorption of hard-to-absorb iron supplements by about 9%.  You can use any food or supplement source, like oj or a pill.

Question 10

1. im prone to low iron levels, how often should / can i take iron supplements in a year?

Accepted Answer

Basics: Best to check iron levels ,if low determine cause and treat.How much iron supplement and frequency of use will depend entirely on your blood results.Are you still menstruating for eg,if not then cause of low iron must be investigated.(diet,blood loss from other sites,gut?)If still menstruating,then how much ect.A visit to your GP with detailed history(family history as well)is required.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Should I take iron supplements

A member asked:

I'm a woman and a vegetarian. should i take iron supplements?

A member asked:

Should i take iron supplements when i have constant fatigue?

A member asked:

My ferritin is low, 15 ng/ml. should i take iron supplements? how much, how often, and what type?

A member asked:

If my hemoglobin is 13.5 and my iron saturation level is at an 8 should i take iron supplements?

A member asked:

Kindly asking my hb now is 11.4 ,s.ferritin 127 other blood indicies regarding anemia is normal i'm 78 yr and have ckd ,so should i take iron supplements and what is the usual dose and duration for such hb and what iron formula usually preferred?

A member asked:

I have polycythemia vera and after my last phlebotomy my ferritin level went down to 6. is that severe? should i take iron supplements?

A member asked:

If i have a vitamin b12 deficiency does it mean that i also have an iron deficiency? should i take iron supplements that come together with vitb group

A member asked:

Should i take iron supplement or multivitamin to replace the iron i've just lost during period?

A member asked:

Please suggest what food should i take with iron supplements?

A member asked:

1. im prone to low iron levels, how often should / can i take iron supplements in a year?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?