Iron Deficiency Anemia and the Medications Used to Treat It

Iron deficiency anemia is an easily treated condition that occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron. This condition usually occurs when you have low iron levels in your body, due to poor diet, blood loss, or the body’s inability to absorb enough iron from food.

The condition usually develops over time, when the body eventually starts using up iron stores.

Why is iron important for the body?

Iron plays a vital role in building up healthy red blood cells. Hemoglobin exists in your body’s red blood cells. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that carries oxygen throughout the body from the lungs.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms

In its early stages, iron deficiency can go unnoticed for quite some time, since the symptoms are so mild. Iron deficiency anemia symptoms can worsen over time, if not treated.

Common Iron Deficiency Symptoms May Include:

Pale skin
Weakness
Chest pain, fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath
Extreme fatigue
Headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness
Cold hands and feet
Brittle nails
Poor appetite

When should I get an iron deficiency anemia test?

According to the National Institute of Health, you should see your doctor when you start seeing any iron deficiency anemia symptoms. It’s good to discuss iron deficiency anemia with your physician, at your annual checkup. It is not recommended that you self-diagnose yourself with iron deficiency anemia, for overloading the body with iron can damage your liver and cause other complications.

Common prescription iron deficiency medications

Ferrlecit (Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex)
Infed (no generic)
Injectafer (no generic)
Feraheme (no generic)

Common over-the-counter iron deficiency medications

Ferrous Sulfate
Feosol
Integra
Tandem Dual Action
Ferrex 150

What causes iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by blood loss, a lack of iron in your diet, the inability to absorb iron, and pregnancy.

Foods Containing Iron

Pumpkin, hemp, and flaxseeds

These seeds are some of the most iron-rich seeds. You could also consider eating products with these seeds as ingredients.

Fortified breakfast cereals

Make sure you are choosing the right type of breakfast cereal, if you want one that is iron-rich. Be sure to look for fortified cereal. Those often will contain 100 percent of your daily iron value.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens aren’t always the most exciting thing to eat, but they do pack a punch of iron. Leafy greens, like swiss chard, kale, and spinach, contain up to 6.4 mg of iron.

White beans

Most all beans have a good amount of iron, but white beans pack the biggest punch. Not everyone has the ability to cook their own beans, so canned versions will do. Be sure to watch the sodium amount though.

Dark chocolate

Yup, you read that right – dark chocolate is a good source of iron. Dark chocolate contains a nice amount of iron, as well as a good amount of fiber, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Soybeans

Vegetarians often focus on soybeans as a good source of protein, but there’s much more to soybeans that just protein. They offer a good source of iron as well.

Lentils

Not many people know what lentils are. They are relatives of beans and offer another good source of iron. The problem though? Not many people know how to cook lentils.

Spinach

Spinach is one of those all-around foods that is good for you. So, naturally, they are a good source of iron as well.

Mushrooms

Not all mushrooms are super rich in iron, but white mushrooms are a good example of an iron-rich food.