How to Take Iron to Prevent Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is very common, especially among women. Supplements can be an important way to fight this blood condition after it develops, but you need to be careful if you want to take iron to prevent anemia.

Instructions

Learn to Take Iron to Prevent Anemia

• 1

  Visit your doctor and discuss exactly how much iron you should be taking. Men need about 8 mg per day and women should have at least 18 mg. Pregnant women need close to 30 mg per day and only 8 mg per day while nursing.

• 2

  Examine your diet and be sure that you're eating a few excellent sources of iron. Foods like fortified cereal, meats and beans can usually provide you with enough iron so that supplements aren't necessary to prevent anemia.

• 3

  Eat foods that contain large amounts of vitamin C to help your body absorb iron. It's very important for vegetarians and pregnant women or those with heavy periods to get enough vitamin C.

• 4

  Ask your doctor about iron supplements if you've had bouts of anemia in the past. Most people can take a 50 to 75 mg iron pill for several days when they start to feel anemic and that amount will be enough to counteract it. Stop taking the supplements as soon as your anemia symptoms clear up in order to prevent the side effects of having too much iron in your system.

• 5

  Go on a long-term iron supplement plan if your doctor determines that you have a serious iron deficiency. You may be asked to take iron pills two to three times a day for 4 to 6 weeks to replenish your body's supply. The doctor will use a blood test to determine exactly how much iron you need to take each day.

• 6

  Notify your doctor if you are taking a multivitamin with iron and she needs to give you a prescription to treat another condition. Sometimes iron supplements can interfere with other medications.

• 7

  See your doctor if you are getting your daily value of iron but still experience the symptoms of anemia. There are other proteins and supplements that can prevent your body from properly processing iron, and a quick blood test will confirm this case.