Most older Americans do not need iron supplements. In some cases, iron supplements, normally taken if you have low iron levels, can have harmful side effects. Even if you do have low iron stores, depending on the cause, iron supplements may not help. If you're a senior citizen, take iron supplements only if your doctor orders them.
Anemia in the Elderly
As many as 17 percent of women and 28 percent of men over age 85 have anemia, Ronald H. Lands, M.D., reports in the August 2009 issue of "Clinical Geriatrics." Up until age 75, anemia occurs more commonly in women, but after age 75, it affects more men than women, Dr. Lands states. Men with hemoglobin levels of less than 13 g/dL and women with levels below 12 g/dL have anemia. Anemia in senior citizens has many causes; in the majority of cases, treating the cause may help more than taking iron supplements.
Causes of Anemia
Chronic disease is the most common cause of anemia, or low iron levels, in the elderly, Douglas Smith, M.D., of the University of Wisconsin Medical School reports in the October 2000 issue of the "American Family Physician." Chronic disease accounts for 30 to 45 percent of cases of anemia, Dr. Douglas states, with iron deficiency, the next most common cause, accounting for 15 to 30 percent. In 15 to 25 percent, no cause is identified. Chronic bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract due to use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, ulcers or gastric cancer can cause iron deficiency anemia. Poor diet can also cause low iron stores in the elderly, who may have decreased appetite.
Benefits
Taking iron supplements has no benefit in treating anemia caused by chronic disease, according to Dr. Smith. Iron deficiency anemia does respond to iron supplementation. Supplemental iron in the amount of 50 to 100 mg of elemental iron given three times daily can treat iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness, which you may attribute to the process of aging. Taking iron could improve these symptoms if you have iron deficiency anemia.
Risks
If you don't have low iron stores, taking iron supplements can raise your iron levels too high, which can cause harm to a number of organs. Your body doesn't excrete additional iron, but stores it in the liver. Around 5 out of 1,000 Caucasian Americans have hemochromatosis, a disorder that causes them to absorb more iron than normal, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports. If you take iron supplements and have this disorder, you could develop liver disease, heart problems or damage to the pancreas, joints or thyroid from excess iron in the organs and joints. Take iron only if your doctor suggests it.
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