Why People Use Iron Supplements

The National Institutes of Health Food and Nutrition Board list the daily recommended intake for iron, an essential mineral, as 8 mg per day for adult men and post-menopausal women and 18 mg per day for women between the ages of 19 and 50. Although iron can be found in many dietary food sources, many people fail to consume adequate amounts of iron leading to iron-deficiency anemia. Those suffering from an iron deficiency or at an increased risk of developing a deficiency may benefit from taking iron supplements.

High Risk Groups

Certain people have a higher risk of developing an iron deficiency. Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases, such as Celiac disease or Crohn's disease may not be able to effectively absorb iron from dietary sources. Because pregnant women experience a 40 to 50 percent increase in blood volume, according to the Cleveland Clinic, their iron needs increase to 27 mg per day, which increases the risk for deficiency. Women who experience heavy menstruation cycles may require more iron and therefore more easily become deficient.

Kidney Disease

The kidneys, two bean-shaped organs, filter the blood to remove waste products and excess water which they then expel from the body in the form of urine. Kidney disease describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to function effectively to move wastes from the body. As kidney disease worsens the patient must undergo dialysis, a process which utilizes a machine to filter the blood. Because patients undergoing dialysis may lost iron, their risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia increases. Doctors often prescribe patients with kidney disease iron supplements to avoid anemia.

Vegetarians

Iron exists in two forms; heme and non-heme. Heme iron, derived from hemoglobin, is found in animal food products such as meat and poultry. Vegetables, such as lentils and beans, also contain iron in the non-heme form. The human body more readily absorbs heme iron than non-heme iron. So although vegetarians, who consume no meat products, eat vegetarian sources of iron, they need to consume more iron per day to make up for the decreased absorption. Vegetarians therefore run a higher risk of developing an iron deficiency that requires iron supplements.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Taking iron supplements can prevent or treat iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia in general refers to a condition in which the blood contains a lower than normal amount of functioning red blood cells. Approximately two-thirds of the iron in the body can be found in the hemoglobin -- the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen through the body. Without enough iron the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin resulting in few red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, cold hands and feet, pale skin and chest pain.

Precautions

You should only take iron supplements under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Too much iron in the body can lead to an iron overload which can contribute to blood vessel damage and heart disease.