Pregnancy, heavy menstruation, colon polyps, ulcers, nutritional deficiencies, cancer or genetic disorders can cause low iron in women, creating a need for iron supplements. Iron deficiency, the most common cause of anemia, according to MedlinePlus, may leave you feeling fatigued, cold, irritable and dizzy. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Low Iron Diagnosis
Although iron deficiencies are more common outside of the U.S., women of childbearing age are susceptible to low iron, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By performing a CBC test, or complete blood count, doctors can measure various parts of your blood to determine whether a deficiency exists. Other blood tests and a physical exam also help doctors make a diagnosis, determine the cause of low iron and whether iron supplements are appropriate.
Iron-Rich Foods vs. Supplements
Iron is an essential mineral, needed to make hemoglobin and myoglobin--oxygen-transporting proteins in the blood. Without enough iron, women can suffer serious health effects, sometimes leading to death. An iron-rich diet is laden with foods such as iron-fortified cereals, eggs, beans, lean red meats, poultry, whole grains and salmon. Iron supplements provide additional iron, although your body cannot absorb the iron as easily as with iron-rich food sources, notes MedlinePlus.
Common Dosages
Iron supplements are most beneficial for women who cannot absorb iron from the diet normally, or who have a greater need for iron due to blood loss, pregnancy or underlying health conditions. For these women, 50 to 60 milligrams of oral elemental iron is typically used twice daily to treat iron deficiency anemia, although dosages may vary from woman to woman. Talk to your doctor about the right dose for you.
Potential Side Effects
Potential side effects associated with iron supplements--when used as a therapy for iron deficiency anemia--include nausea, bowel changes and abdominal discomfort. Talk to your doctor if you experience these effects. For many women, consuming iron supplements in gradually increasing amounts reduces bothersome effects.
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