If you are a woman who has stopped menstruating due to menopause, it is probably unnecessary for you to take an iron supplement. Iron deficiency is rare in menopausal women, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. You should not treat symptoms of fatigue by taking an iron supplement. If you often feel run down, see your doctor and evaluate your lifestyle. Iron supplements will not benefit you and can be harmful unless you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency, as reported by Better Health Channel.
Iron Requirements in Menopause
Females 19 to 50 years of age require 18mg of iron per day. Once you are over age 51, your iron requirements drop to 8mg per day, a significant decrease from the previous years. If you are a healthy woman in menopause, you can usually meet your iron requirements through a proper diet.
Absorption of Dietary Iron
Iron absorption is the amount of iron your body obtains and uses from food. Your iron absorption is more efficient when your body stores of iron are low. When your iron stores are high, you absorb less iron. This self-regulating mechanism helps protect you from the possibly toxic effects of iron overload.
Dietary Sources of Iron
There are two types of iron in foods, heme and nonheme iron. Heme iron comes from animal products and is well absorbed by your body. Good sources of heme iron include chicken liver, oysters, beef, turkey and clams. You can get nonheme iron from fortified cereals, legumes, spinach and blackstrap molasses. Your body won't absorb nonheme iron as easily unless you consume it with foods high in vitamin C. It is best to meet your nutritional needs with food rather than supplements whenever possible.
Iron Deficiency
Women in menopause lose very little iron, which is why you have a low risk for iron deficiency. If you have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal malabsorption or kidney failure, your risk for deficiency is higher. Your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement for you if you have a chronic condition. If you are a vegetarian and exclude all animal products from your diet, you may also be at risk. Check with your health care professional before taking an iron supplement.
Iron Overload Risk
Iron overload is a condition in which excess iron found in your blood is stored in your liver and heart. Iron deficiency is rare among postmenopausal women. If you take an iron supplement after you cease menstruating, you are at risk for iron overload, which can be dangerous. After menopause, you also have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease due to increased iron stores.
Member Comments