What Do Iron Pills Do for You?
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Pregnant women may need iron pills to treat anemia.
Background
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Anemia is a condition that occurs when your body has insufficient hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. Iron is necessary to make hemoglobin. Pregnant women, vegetarians and people suffering from internal bleeding are at a higher risk for anemia.
Purpose
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Iron pills help increase the body's level of iron. They are often used when dietary changes cannot adequately restore deficient iron levels.
Side Effects
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Iron pills sometimes cause heartburn, constipation and stomach upset. Beginning with a small dose and taking pills with food can help reduce unpleasant side effects.
Risks
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Adult men and postmenopausal women are rarely iron deficient and therefore have a greater risk of iron overload from iron pills. Iron overload is a dangerous condition in which excess iron builds up in organs, including the liver and heart.
Warning
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Iron pills can be fatally toxic in children. Children may mistake iron pills for candy; store iron pills safely.
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