What Are The Side Effects Of Iron Supplements?

Iron is a mineral that helps with the transportation of oxygen around the body, and it is a major component of red blood cells. The nutrient also helps keep the skin, hair, and nails healthy. Patients who do not get enough iron in their diet may develop iron-deficiency anemia. This condition causes patients to feel fatigued, and they might also experience cold hands and feet, pale skin, brittle nails, headaches, and dizziness. Women who are pregnant or menstruating are at an increased risk of iron deficiency, and vegetarians have a higher prevalence of this condition compared to individuals who eat meat. Doctors can check a patient's iron levels with a simple blood test. If the results are low, patients might be encouraged to include more iron-rich foods such as spinach, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, meat, lentils, and tofu in their diets, and iron supplements may be prescribed. The supplements are generally taken for several months, and patients will be retested after this time to check whether their levels have returned to the normal range. To increase iron absorption, doctors recommend patients take their iron supplements with vitamin C. Patients might want to eat an orange or take a vitamin C supplement immediately after taking their iron supplement.

Of course, iron supplements can result in some side effects, which are discussed below.

Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting may occur from the use of iron supplements. These side effects are most likely to develop when the patient first starts taking iron, and they often resolve during treatment. Nausea can be an early sign of an iron overdose, however, so individuals who experience this symptom should always let their doctor know. Patients should also inform their healthcare provider if they experience vomiting while taking iron supplements; this is another possible symptom that occurs in the early stages of an iron overdose. Vomiting associated with an iron overdose is generally severe and frequently contains blood. After patients have checked with a doctor to ensure they are not experiencing an iron overdose, they can take steps to treat their nausea and vomiting at home. Both symptoms can be managed by eating small, bland meals and sipping on water throughout the day. In addition, some patients find it helpful to consume foods or drinks that contain ginger. Patients who want to try ginger should ask their doctor before consuming ginger tea, as caffeinated teas can sometimes interfere with iron absorption.

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Stomach Pain Or Upset

Patients just starting iron supplementation may notice stomach pain or upset. To reduce the risk of these symptoms, doctors may start the patient on a half dose of iron at first, working up to a full dose within a few weeks. Iron is absorbed most effectively if it is taken on an empty stomach. However, doing this can increase the chance of experiencing stomach pain. For this reason, doctors typically recommend patients take iron supplements with food. When taking iron with meals, it is important to avoid drinking milk, taking antacids, or consuming calcium supplements or high-calcium foods at the same meal, as calcium decreases the body's ability to absorb iron. Patients should also avoid taking iron supplements with caffeinated drinks and with high-fiber foods such as oatmeal, whole grains, cereals, and raw vegetables. Individuals who notice sharp or stabbing stomach pain should let a doctor know right away as this type of pain could be a symptom of an iron overdose.

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