Iron preparations for anemia: the arguments for and against

Anemia is a painful condition in which the hemoglobin level and the number of red blood cells in the blood fall below the necessary physiological minimum. Anemia is classified according to various signs: for reasons that caused its appearance (iron deficiency, folic acid, hemolytic, etc.), color index and degree of regeneration. One of the most common - iron deficiency anemia, which affects about 2 billion people on the planet.

Lack of iron

Iron is contained in the body in microscopic doses - only 2-2.5 gr. In a man of average weight. But its value can not be overestimated. This microelement is involved in many metabolic processes, including in the synthesis of hormones. So the lack of iron can lead to the fact that a person will have to take drugs for the thyroid gland. In addition, this microelement performs one of the most important functions - it ensures oxygenation of tissues (tissue respiration). The lack of iron can be asymptomatic (with a slight deviation from the normal level) or accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, weakness, etc.

Preparations of iron for anemia or diet: what is better

Iron enters the body with food, and from animal products (meat, liver) it is absorbed much easier than from products of vegetable origin (juices, fruits, herbs). Iron is very poorly processed by the human body, so it is important not even the amount of microelements being supplied, but the intensity of its digestion. Therefore, only dietary nutrition to get rid of anemia will not succeed. Although as an auxiliary and preventive agent should include in your diet foods rich in iron: meat, beets, liver, etc.

Preparations of iron in anemia contain the main trace element in various forms - chelate or heme. There are also complex medicines. They are injected into the human body in two ways: intravenously and through the mouth during or after a meal. Most often iron preparations for anemia are taken in the form of syrups and tablets, since it is safer than injecting them directly into the blood. The effect appears only after 5 days, but there is no danger of causing complications if the diagnosis was incorrect (if the anemia is not iron deficient).

The main reason for refusing drugs is the presence of side effects. Since iron is poorly absorbed by the body, it is taken in large doses, and from the total volume the organism takes only 1-2%. The rest is removed naturally, but while in the body, causes pain, nausea, problems with the stool and allergic reactions.

Nevertheless, taking iron preparations for anemia is necessary, since only they are able to make up for the deficiency of this important trace element. This is especially true for pregnant women and children. But when taking medication, it is important to follow the dosage to minimize side effects.

It is important to know: pains and rezes in the stomach, nausea and other problems of the gastrointestinal tract can be caused by different causes, and not only by the side effect of iron-containing drugs. Often such symptoms are with pancreatitis, which means that a person needs to take pancreatic drugs. Before you begin treatment with any medications, be sure to consult a doctor.