Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Iron Deficiency
Question: My iron is 28. I am 76 years old. What do I need to do?. I eat beef and lamb 3 or 4 times a week.XXXX
Brief Answer:
Investigation is needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
low iron usually denotes iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can be confirmed by measuring ferritin levels.
If ferritin is also low then iron supplementation is warranted. Iron is usually given by mouth but it can also be given by intravenous infusion or intramuscularly (not recommended). The treatment may last for 4-6 months depending on the severity of iron deficiency and complete blood count findings.
What's more important is that investigation is needed to identify the cause of this deficiency. It could be a peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, colonic polyps or even cancer. The gastrointestinal system is usually involved.
Unless an obvious site of bleeding can be identified, endoscopic evaluation of the intestine and the stomach is needed.
Eating a well balanced diet should be enough to absorb the right amount of iron, unles you've done stomach surgery or iron is lost somewhere (bleeding, skin losses in psoriasis).
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please use your follow-up questions to ask.
Kind Regards!
Investigation is needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
low iron usually denotes iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can be confirmed by measuring ferritin levels.
If ferritin is also low then iron supplementation is warranted. Iron is usually given by mouth but it can also be given by intravenous infusion or intramuscularly (not recommended). The treatment may last for 4-6 months depending on the severity of iron deficiency and complete blood count findings.
What's more important is that investigation is needed to identify the cause of this deficiency. It could be a peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, colonic polyps or even cancer. The gastrointestinal system is usually involved.
Unless an obvious site of bleeding can be identified, endoscopic evaluation of the intestine and the stomach is needed.
Eating a well balanced diet should be enough to absorb the right amount of iron, unles you've done stomach surgery or iron is lost somewhere (bleeding, skin losses in psoriasis).
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like more information, please use your follow-up questions to ask.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
