Insufficient iron intake may lead to anemia, a condition marked by a reduction in the number of functioning red blood cells. Anemia results in decreased oxygen in the blood; it can cause fatigue, headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating and depression. Iron supplements can restore plasma iron levels to normal, but it should only be taken under the direction of a doctor.
Dosing
The levels of iron you need to take have been developed by the U.S. Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science. Adult males ages 19 to 50 should receive 8 mg iron daily; females should receive 18 mg. Adults over the age of 51 need 8 mg per day. Pregnant women need substantially more iron and should receive 27 mg per day.
Cautions
Iron supplements should be taken under the direction of a health care professional. Iron is not excreted efficiently; high levels will build up in the body, potentially reaching toxic levels. For healthy adults, the tolerable upper intake of iron is 45 mg. Keep supplements stored away from the reach of children and seek medical attention if you suspect an excessive amount of iron supplements have been ingested. Death has occurred in children following the ingestion of 200 mg iron.
Side Effects
Some individuals experience side effects from iron supplements. These may include gastrointestinal distress, constipation, nausea, diarrhea and heartburn. A supplement containing hydrolyzed protein chelate may produce fewer side effects. You can also try to increase your consumption of water and fiber to relieve the constipating effect of the supplements.
Drug Interactions
Iron may interact with a number of other common medications. You should not take iron supplements if you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Patients taking allopurinol, sold under the brand name Zyloprim, for the treatment of gout should not take supplemental iron because the combination may result in iron toxicity. Iron blocks the absorption of ACE inhibitors, tetracyclines, quinolones and bisphosphonates for osteoporosis and thyroid replacement hormone. Talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions before beginning iron supplementation.
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