

Mechanisms of human heme consumptions: Current questions and controversies. my./health/articles/oral-iron-supplementation The influence of vitamin A supplementation on iron status. symptoms/low-hemoglobin/basics/definition/sym-20050760 diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355040 tests-procedures/hemoglobin-test/about/pac-20385075 ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/ Iron bioavailability and dietary reference values. education/hemoglobin_and_functions_of_iron/

Vitamin C may help to increase the amount of iron your body absorbs. When you eat something high in iron or take an iron supplement, try eating foods rich in vitamin C or take a supplement at the same time. Certain things can either increase or decrease the amount of iron your body absorbs. Whether you increase your iron intake through food or supplements, it’s also important to make sure your body can easily process the extra iron you put into it. If your child accidentally takes an iron supplement, call your doctor immediately.

If your child needs an iron supplement, make sure you choose one that’s safe for children.Ĭhildren have a lower blood volume, which makes them much more vulnerable to iron poisoning. Iron supplements should always be kept carefully out of reach of children. You should start noticing a difference in your iron level after about a week to a month, depending on your underlying condition that’s causing low hemoglobin. If you’re pregnant, you should aim for up to 27 mg a day. The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that men get up to 8 mg of iron per day, while women should get up to 18 mg per day. Work with your doctor to figure out a safe dose, and avoid taking more than 25 milligrams (mg) at one time. This can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis, and other side effects, such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

However, too much iron can cause a condition called hemochromatosis. If you need to raise your hemoglobin level by a lot, you may need to take oral iron supplements.
