How to Treat Anemia in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis patients often struggle with anemia as well. Anemia is a disorder in which the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to your body. It can be caused by too few red blood cells or hemoglobin. Understanding anemia and rheumatoid arthritis allows you to take control of your iron intake and feel energized again.

Instructions

Treating Anemia

• 1

  Be aware of the symptoms you are experiencing. Feelings of weakness or exhaustion, unusual paleness or yellowing of the skin or gums, lightheadedness and shortness of breath can all be signs of severe anemia. Patients with chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have mild anemia caused by their disease. If you have mild anemia, you may not show any symptoms.

• 2

  Schedule a visit to your primary care physician or rheumatologist for a complete blood count. This test can detect anemia, and can tell your physician how severe it is.

• 3

  Take iron supplements, if directed by your doctor. Different kinds of anemia may require different kinds of iron supplements, including folic acid, so discuss them with your doctor first.

• 4

  Eat a balanced diet with plenty of iron-rich foods. Meats (especially dark meats), fortified cereals, beans and spinach, and other leafy greens are all good sources of iron. Iron from animal sources is more readily absorbed by the body than iron from plants; when possible, combine animal- and plant-containing foods for the best iron absorption.

• 5

  Avoid foods that hinder iron absorption in the body. Bran, as well as coffee and tea, can make it difficult for your body to absorb the iron from food and supplements. Conversely, foods high in vitamin c help your body absorb iron more readily, so consider adding foods such as citrus fruits along with your iron-rich foods.