What's the Best Way to Treat Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Did you know that an estimated 80% of the world's population has a slight iron deficiency and one third has a serious deficiency, resulting in anaemia.

But what can you do to treat it?

What is the Best Treatment for Iron-deficiency Anemia?

The best treatment for iron deficiency anemia is to take iron supplements. These supplements can be taken orally or given intravenously. The type of iron supplement and the dose that you need will depend on your individual circumstances.

Oral iron supplements are the most common type of iron supplement. They are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Oral iron supplements can be taken with or without food, but it is best to take them with food or vitamin C to help with absorption, (unless it's a special type such as Nano Iron)

Intravenous iron supplements are given directly into a vein. These supplements are typically used for people who do not respond to oral iron supplements or who have severe iron deficiency anemia.

In addition to taking iron supplements, it is also important to eat a healthy diet and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Eating a healthy diet will help to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients that you need, including vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption. Caffeine and alcohol can interfere with iron absorption, so it is best to avoid them if you have iron deficiency anemia.

What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body lacks enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues, and without enough iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

If your anemia is mild, you may not even notice it. More severe versions come with some of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Heart palpitations
• Cold hands and feet
• Headache
• Dry, damaged hair and nails
• Craving non-food items (pica)
• Poor appetite, especially in infants and children
• Poor growth in infants and children
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sore or swollen tongue
• Smooth and brittle nails
• Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia)
• Poor concentration and difficulty with memory
• Difficulty with exercise tolerance
• Depression and irritability
• Brittle bones (osteoporosis)

Less common symptoms:

• Angular cheilitis (cracks at the corners of the mouth)
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• Paresthesias (strange sensations in the skin, such as burning or crawling)
• Stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)
• Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue)
• Koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)

How do you Know if You've Got Iron Deficiency Anemia?

A diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia will come from diagnostic testing as follows: 

• Serum ferritin test: Measures the amount of stored iron.
• Serum iron test: Measures the amount of circulating iron.
• Transferrin level or total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): Evaluates how well your blood can carry iron.

Here are some key tests and what their results might indicate:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC): This is often the first test. A low hemoglobin level is a hallmark sign of anemia. Normal levels typically range from:

   • Men: 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
   • Women: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL

2. Serum Ferritin: This test measures your iron reserves. Low levels of ferritin indicate low iron storage. Normal levels are generally between 20-500 ng/mL for men and 15-200 ng/mL for women.

3. Serum Iron: This test measures the amount of circulating iron in your blood. Normal levels usually fall between about 60 to 170 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

4. Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): This assesses your blood's ability to bind iron with transferrin. In iron-deficiency anemia, TIBC might be high, indicating that there's more capacity to hold iron than there is iron available. Normal TIBC levels range from around 240 to 450 mcg/dL.

5. Transferrin Saturation: This is calculated from the serum iron and TIBC. A low percentage (usually below 20%) is indicative of iron-deficiency anemia.

6. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): This measures the average size of your red blood cells. In iron-deficiency anemia, the MCV is usually low, indicating smaller than normal red blood cells. Normal range is approximately 80 to 100 femtoliters (fL).

7. Hematocrit: This measures the percentage of blood volume made up by red blood cells. Lower than normal levels may indicate anemia. Normal ranges are:

   • Men: 38.3 to 48.6%
   • Women: 35.5 to 44.9%

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Common causes of iron deficiency anemia include:

• Blood loss: Blood loss is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia. This can occur due to heavy menstrual bleeding, childbirth, stomach ulcers, colon cancer, and other medical conditions.
• Poor diet: Not eating enough iron-rich foods can also lead to iron deficiency anemia. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, fortified cereals, and dark leafy green vegetables.
• Malabsorption: Some people have difficulty absorbing iron from their food. This can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers need more iron than usual to support the growing baby and produce breast milk.
• Infancy and childhood: Infants and children are at increased risk of iron deficiency anemia because they are growing rapidly and need more iron than adults.
• Certain medications: Some medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can irritate the stomach lining and lead to bleeding.
• Kidney disease: People with kidney disease may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
• Genetics: Some people have genetic conditions that can interfere with the absorption or use of iron.

 Risk Factors of Iron Deficiency Anemia

What is the Best Form of Iron Supplement for the Treatment of Anemia?

Nano Iron is often considered the best form of iron supplement for treating anemia or iron deficiency. This type of iron is made up of very tiny particles, which allows the body to absorb it more easily. Because of this, it can raise your iron levels more quickly and effectively compared to traditional iron supplements.

Additionally, Nano Iron is easier on your stomach and is less likely to cause side effects like constipation or nausea.

However, other forms of iron supplements are also available and commonly used:

1. Ferrous Sulfate: This is a widely used and cost-effective option. However, it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, nausea, and stomach upset.

2. Ferrous Fumarate: Another commonly used form that is well-absorbed but can similarly cause digestive issues.

3. Ferrous Gluconate: This form is easier on the stomach but usually contains less elemental iron, meaning you may need to take more of it to achieve the same effect.

4. Ferric Citrate and Ferric EDTA: These are less commonly used as they are not as easily absorbed as ferrous forms, but they may be options for those who can't tolerate ferrous iron.

5. Heme Iron Polypeptide (HIP): This is a form of iron derived from animal sources and is easier on the digestive system. However, it is generally more expensive and may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

6. Iron Amino Acid Chelates: These are designed to be easier on the stomach and are well-absorbed but can be more expensive.

How is Nano Iron Different fron Regular Iron Supplements?

Almost all iron supplements on the market today are bound iron forms such as iron sulphate, iron fumarate and iron gluconate.

Iron sulphate is the cheapest form of iron but is very poorly absorbed by the intestines.

Iron fumarate is slightly better, but the uptake is still not optimal.

Both these offer major drawbacks that almost every user will recognize, namely nausea, black stools and constipation.

If you take these, the iron that is not absorbed remains in the intestines, causing all kinds of unpleasant complaints.

In addition, the unabsorbed iron affects the microbiome, causing your intestinal flora to become unbalanced, which can then cause a range of health problems. And candida yeast loves iron. It feeds on iron and this can lead to all sorts of candida complaints.

Iron gluconate is known as a more absorbable form. Side effects are fewer than with steel pills, but they certainly still occur.

So what's different about Nano Iron? Well, firstly nano iron contains only iron in its elemental form. Elemental simply means that the iron is not bound to another substance.

Secondly, the incredibly small size of the nano particles means it does not have to pass through the stomach and intestines when properly used. It is absorbed directly through the mouth cavity, where it can enter the bloodstream and cells quickly. The ultra-small iron particles have a bioavailability of 100%, so you need a lot less. No unpleasant side effects and no chance of excess accumulation!

Nano iron works super fast; often women feel a considerable difference after just a few days.

Doctors are sometimes amazed by the rapid rise in iron values. Because nano iron works so quickly, you can also take it for a short time, unlike other liquid supplements that must be used for at least 4 weeks.

Tiredness, dizziness and concentration problems due to an iron deficiency are therefore solved much faster without annoying side effects. Midwives use nano iron effectively for pregnant women or women who have recently given birth and who have lost a lot of blood, or after a miscarriage or curettage.

Nano iron contains no additives. It only consists of pure water and minuscule pure iron particles. Other liquid iron preparations may contain preservatives such as potassium sorbate (which may cause asthma, hives, nose colds and bowel disorders, among other side effects). These preparations may also contain gluten.

Use and dosage of Nano Iron:

Adults with a deficiency:

• 30 ml (3 tablespoons) per day. Take before or after meals, in a clean mouth.
• Hold in the mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute before swallowing.
• In the event of severe fatigue due to iron deficiency (iron deficiency anemia), heavy periods, or blood loss due to an accident or operation, the dose may be temporarily increased to 60 or 90 ml per day.
• Maintenance dose: 15 ml per day.

Children:

• 0-2 years: 5 ml per day (1 teaspoon)
• 2-6 years: 10-20 ml per day (1 to 2 tablespoons)
• 6-12 years: 20-30 ml per day (2 to 3 tablespoons)
• Women and pregnant / lactating women:
• In case of a deficiency: 30-60 ml per day (3 to 6 tablespoons), spread over
• 2 to 3 times a day, before or after meals. At 60 ml per day, the deficiency will be eliminated faster.
• Maintenance dose (preventive): 15 ml per day.

Note: Iron from food and supplements easily binds to substances in coffee, tea (black, green, rooibos), grains and dairy (tannic acid, phytic acid and calcium). This can also lead to a shortage of iron or an iron supplement not being absorbed. Vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron, as does vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin B2. Nano iron is readily absorbed into the mucous membrane of the mouth, reducing the chance of binding with other nutrients. For that reason, we recommend taking nano iron before or after meals.

The administration of a high-dose iron supplement can lead to an iron accumulation in the liver in the elderly. The dosage of nano iron is much lower and it is, therefore, a safe alternative. It is tasteless, colourless and odourless and therefore suitable for children, animals and people with swallowing problems.