Anemia

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Prevention

Take these steps to help prevent some types of anemia:

• Eat foods high in iron such as red meat, fish, eggs, dried fruits, spinach, broccoli, lentils and beans.
• Eat/drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.
• Don't drink coffee or tea with meals. These drinks make it harder for your body to absorb iron.
• Calcium can hurt your absorption of iron. If you have a hard time getting enough iron, talk to your health care provider about the best way to get enough calcium too.
• Make sure you get enough folic acid and vitamin B-12 in your diet.
• Talk to your HCP about taking iron pills (supplements). Do NOT take these pills without talking to your health care provider first. These pills come in two forms: ferrous and ferric. The ferrous form is better absorbed by your body. But taking iron pills can cause side effects, like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Reduce these side effects by taking these steps:
  • Start with half of the recommended dose. Gradually increase to the full dose.
  • Take the pill in divided doses.
  • Take the pill with food.
  • If one type of iron pill is causing problems, ask your HCP for another brand.
• If you are a non-pregnant woman of childbearing age, get tested for anemia every 5 to 10 years. This can be done during a regular health exam. Testing should start in adolescence.
• If you are a non-pregnant woman of childbearing age with these risk factors for iron deficiency, get tested every year:
  • heavy periods
  • low iron intake
  • previous diagnosis of anemia

Iron Intake

Most people get enough iron through a regular healthy diet that has iron-rich foods. But some groups of people don't get enough iron:

• teenage girls/women of childbearing age (who have heavy menstrual losses, who have had more than one child, or use an intrauterine device [IUD])
• older infants and toddlers
• pregnant women

These groups of people should be screened periodically for iron deficiency. If the tests show that the body isn't getting enough iron, iron supplements may be prescribed. You should talk to your Talk to your health care provider for proper dose.

Iron intake for Pregnant Women

Many pregnant women have a hard time getting enough iron. During pregnancy, your body demands more iron because of the growing needs from the fetus, the higher volume of blood, and blood loss during delivery. Not getting enough iron can cause preterm labor and delivering a low-birthweight baby. If you're pregnant, follow these tips:

• Make sure you get 27mg of iron every day. Take an iron supplement (pill). It may be part of your prenatal vitamin. Start taking it at your first prenatal visit.
• Get tested for anemia at your first prenatal visit.

Guidelines during Hormone therapy

If you are getting your period while taking Hormone therapy (HT), you may need more iron than women who are postmenopausal and not taking HT. Talk to your health care provider.

Birth Control and Anemia

Some women who take birth control pills have less bleeding during their periods. This would lower their risk for anemia. But women who use an intrauterine device (IUD) may have more bleeding and increase their chances of getting anemia. Talk to your health care provider.

Vegetarian Diets and Iron intake

It depends on your diet. Since it's easier to get iron from meat than from plant-derived foods, some vegetarians may need to take a higher amount of iron each day than what is recommended for other people. Follow the tips above to prevent anemia, and try to take vitamin C with other iron-rich foods.

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Anemia

Health

This is meant to be an informational exercise and NOT a medical consultation. Your doctor is the only one who can best assess your situation and offer you medical advice.