Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Moderate iron deficiency anemiaOnset time: At 5 months of age
Laboratory test results: Moderate iron deficiency anemia (7g blood)
Doctor's answer:
Hello. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition where the body's iron stores are insufficient to meet the normal needs for red blood cell production. It is caused by insufficient iron intake, reduced absorption, increased demand, impaired iron utilization, or excessive iron loss. Morphologically, it is characterized as a microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition, and its symptoms are related to the severity of anemia and the onset speed. Treatment includes:1. Identifying and Treating the Cause: It is essential to identify the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. For example, treating bleeding ulcers or excessive menstrual bleeding in women.
2. Oral Iron Supplementation:
- Ferrous sulfate: Effective and economical. Dosage: 0.3 g, three times daily, taken with meals. If gastrointestinal symptoms are severe, start with 0.1 g daily and gradually increase the dose to alleviate symptoms.
- Fumaric iron: 0.2 g, oral, three times daily.
- Fervitin: 1 tablet, oral, once daily.
- Slowfer: 0.1 g, oral, twice daily.
3. Intravenous Iron Supplementation: Intravenous iron therapy may be administered in the following cases:
(1) Inability to tolerate oral iron.
(2) Rapid blood loss that cannot be compensated with oral iron.
(3) Patients with ulcerative colitis or localized colitis who do not respond to oral iron treatment.
(4) Individuals unable to absorb iron from the gastrointestinal tract, such as those who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery.
Additionally, cooking with iron pots does not help with iron supplementation. People with iron deficiency anemia should consume less milk, as it can hinder iron absorption, and increase intake of vitamin C-rich foods.