Iron deficiency, defined as low iron stores, occurs in as many as 80 percent of the world's population, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Feosol is a brand-name type of ferrous sulfate, the most commonly prescribed form of iron. Todd McDiarmid, M.D., reports in a June 2002 article in "The Journal of Family Practice" that this is because of its low cost, effectiveness and tolerability. Not everyone needs iron supplements. In some cases, taking supplemental iron can have harmful effects.
Adolescent Girls
Iron deficiency occurs commonly in teen girls, who are not only growing but also losing iron in blood each month during their menstrual periods. Teen girls also often consume diets low in iron, with 75 percent not meeting their iron needs through diet, registered dietitian Irene Alton reports in the 2005 "Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services," published by the University of Minnesota. Around 10 percent of all girls between the ages of 12 and 19 develop iron deficiency and between 2 and 3 percent have iron deficiency anemia, a more severe condition, according to Alton. Feosol can help to meet adolescent girls' iron needs.
Women of Childbearing Age
Many women of childbearing age need to continue taking iron supplements, particularly if they have heavy or prolonged menstrual periods. Women who take birth control pills, who often have lighter menstrual periods, may not need iron supplements. Women with intrauterine devices to prevent pregnancy may have heavier-than-normal menstrual cycles and may need iron supplements such as Feosol. After menopause, women generally do not need iron supplementation.
Infants and Toddlers
Not all infants need iron supplements. Bottle-fed infants who drink fortified formula get enough iron. Up to age six months, most infants have adequate iron stores and do not need supplements. After six months, breast-fed infants may need iron supplements, although this is controversial. Breast milk contains less iron than formula, but the iron it does contain is very well absorbed compared to other types of iron, lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata reports on her website, Kellymom. Ask your doctor if he recommends Feosol for your breastfed infant. Toddlers and young children who don't eat a healthy diet may also need iron supplements. Preterm babies may also need iron supplements.
Pregnant Women
Iron needs rise during pregnancy to nearly double the needs in non-pregnant women, the ODS reports. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm delivery or low-birthweight in infants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend low-dose iron supplementation of 30 mg per day for all pregnant women, starting at the first prenatal visit, and more for those who develop anemia.
People with Malabsorption Disorders
If you suffer from gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease, the villi in your small intestine, which absorb nutrients such as iron, may not function properly. Some types of surgery such as gastric bypass may also interfere with adequate iron absorption. Measuring serum iron levels before and after ingestion of 325 mg of oral ferrous sulfate can help diagnose this problem. If levels don't rise by 115 mcg per deciliter, you may need a higher dose of iron supplements, David Little, M.D., of the Wright State University School of Medicine, reports in the March 1999 "American Family Physician."
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron
- "The Journal of Family Practice"; Are any oral iron formulations Better Tolerated than Ferrous Sulfate?; Todd McDiarmid, M.D.; June 2002
- "Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services"; Iron Deficiency Anemia; Irene Alton, R.D.; 2005
- "American Family Physician"; Ambulatory Management of Common Forms of Anemia ; David Little, M.D.; March 1999
- Kellymom; Is Iron-Supplementation Necessary? ; Kelly Bonyata; April 2010
- Drugs.com: Ferrous Sulfate
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