Various trace elements are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. It is especially important that a sufficient amount of iron enters the blood. Without it, red blood cells will not be able to carry oxygen, and a person will experience a lack of it. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia. It is especially common in women and children, elderly or debilitated people. In this case, it is recommended to take iron tablets. There are a large number of drugs containing this microelement, many of them have contraindications and various side effects. Therefore, if iron deficiency anemia is suspected, it is necessary to visit a doctor. Only a specialist can prescribe the right treatment.
Signs of iron deficiency anemia
Iron is one of the most essential elements for the functioning of all organs and systems. Usually in the body there are its reserves, for example, in the liver. Therefore, signs of iron deficiency are felt immediately. A person feels weakness, decreased performance or fatigue. But this is not always associated with a lack of iron. Therefore, often the deficiency of this trace element withincreases with time. More serious symptoms join the first symptoms:
- pallor of the skin;
- tachycardia;
- depression;
- change in taste or loss of appetite;
- dizziness;
- lowered immunity and frequent colds;
- dry skin, brittle bones and nails, hair loss.
Causes of iron deficiency
Among them are:
- severe bleeding, for example, during surgery, donation or menstruation in women, and some diseases cause chronic blood loss: hemorrhoids, ulcers, various tumors;
- wrong and malnutrition, passion for weight loss diets;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that cause impaired absorption of iron;
- helminthiases;
- malabsorption syndrome.
In addition, there are conditions during which a person needs increased doses of iron, and often it is not enough from food:
- premature babies;
- during the growth and development of children and adolescents;
- in women during pregnancy and lactation.
How to fill iron deficiency
This microelement enters the body with food and is absorbed into the blood in the intestines. Therefore, iron deficiency is best replenished with food, and in severe cases of anemia, take iron tablets.
But you need to know that not all of them are effective, as they can irritate the stomach or accumulate in the cells, causing poisoning. In addition, a feature of the treatment of iron deficiency anemia is that it is a rather lengthy process, often lasting up to six months. Hemoglobin, which indicates the presence of iron in the blood, begins to rise only after three weeks, and stabilization of its level is observed after a couple of months of taking the drugs. Although sometimes a person feels an improvement after a few days of taking certain drugs. But it is not recommended to immediately stop treatment - for some time you need to drink pills for prophylactic purposes. In addition, be sure to eat foods rich in iron. It can be buckwheat, liver, lentils, spinach, oatmeal or barley, raisins and pine nuts.
What are the drugs
All drugs are divided into groups depending on the percentage and quality of iron, as well as the presence of minor ingredients. Most often, these are:
- Ferrous iron tablets are the most common. But such drugs have recently become less and less popular, as they cause many side effects. The active ingredients include ferrous sulfate, as well as fumarate, glucanate and ferric chloride. They are part of such drugs: "Aktiferrin", "Hemofer", "Totem", "Ferronal" and others.
- More modern iron tablets are better tolerated. They includetrivalent iron in combination with other elements that increase its absorption. For example, polym altose hydroxide, contained in modern preparations, makes iron easily digestible, regardless of the foods consumed. In this form, this microelement can be obtained from such medicines: M altofer, Fenyuls, Ferrum Lek, Venofer, Sideral and others.
What else can be included in the tablets
- Ascorbic acid is an effective antioxidant. It is able to convert iron from s alts into an easily digestible form.
- The amino acid serine also helps better absorption and rapid entry into the blood of the trace element.
- The protein carrier succinitate quickly delivers iron to the site of its best absorption.
- Combining a trace element with a sucrose complex helps prevent overdose. In addition, iron vitamin tablets containing such a composition are better absorbed, do not interact with food and do not cause side effects. Therefore, more and more often these drugs are prescribed recently, especially since it is convenient to drink them - only 1-2 times a day.
Best Iron Tablets
1. "Sorbifer Durules" is good because iron ions are slowly released in the digestive tract without irritating its mucous membrane.
2. "Tardiferon" contains ascorbic acid and mucoprotease, thanks to which iron is easily absorbed and rarely causes side effects.
3. "M altofer", which can also be found under the name "Ferrum Lek" or "Aktiferrin", is a very effective drug and quickly increases the level of hemoglobin. It is available as a chewable tablet that can be taken even by children and pregnant women.
4. "Fenyuls" is a multivitamin complex. It contains, in addition to ferrous sulfate, folic acid, vitamin C, thiamine, B vitamins and other useful elements.
Side effects from taking
Most often they occur with an overdose of iron due to non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations. Most of all, these drugs irritate the gastrointestinal tract and can cause:
- diarrhea or constipation;
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the pancreas.
These pills can cause weakness, dizziness, confusion and high blood pressure. Therefore, you should not take them without the advice of a doctor. In addition, tablets containing ferrous sulfate can cause a metallic taste in the mouth and discoloration of the teeth.
Features of iron preparations
It is important to consider the following:
- these tablets should not be stored in a warm place or where there is high humidity;
- iron vitamin tablets require precise adherence to the dosage and number of tablets, if missed once, then you need to drink the medicine as soon as you remember it (it is undesirable to take a double dose, as this can cause side effects);
- do not take iron tablets together with some other medicines, such as antibiotics or calcium supplements;
- in order not to worsen the digestibility of such drugs, and also in order for iron to be better absorbed, it is impossible to drink coffee or tea for two hours after taking it, eat grain bread, dairy products or eggs; in addition, antacids prevent its absorption - Almagel, Phospholugel and others.
Iron for pregnancy
In tablets, these drugs are better tolerated and have fewer side effects. Therefore, it is this form that is indicated during pregnancy. At this time, the woman's body is experiencing an increased need for iron. Especially in the second and third trimesters.
The use of iron supplements under the supervision of a doctor is considered safe, and if the rules are followed, it does not cause any side effects. It is recommended that pregnant women use medicines containing, in addition to iron, folic acid, vitamins C and E. It is best to choose iron tablets. The name of the drugs can be obtained from the doctor. Most often, pregnant women are advised to take "Fenyuls", "Tardiferon" or "Ferroplex".
Reviews about taking these drugs
Patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia and taking various drugs note that iron tablets are better tolerated. Reviews of doctors also note these medicines. After all, iron is absorbed in the intestines, so it is tablets that can quickly deliver this trace element to the blood. ATRecently, many drugs have appeared that do not cause side effects at all and quickly increase the level of hemoglobin.
This is "Fenules", "Sorbifer Durules" and others. But for some, they cause pain in the stomach. And many patients prefer vitamin-mineral complexes, when they are taken, no additional drugs are needed, they should be drunk 1-2 times a day, regardless of food intake. The best drug containing a large amount of iron is Vitacap. According to the reviews of people who took it, it helps after the first pills.
