Introduction
Iron deficiency is widespread in Germany. It is caused by a lack of iron in the diet or by iron loss due to heavy bleeding, chronic or acute inflammation, tumor diseases, or infections. Iron is part of the red blood cells and enzymes that activate many different reactions in the body.
An iron deficiency remains asymptomatic for a long time. The body has a large iron reservoir that is gradually used up to provide free iron. If the iron deficiency can no longer be compensated, for example, not enough red blood cells can be produced. The haemoglobin level drops (iron deficiency anaemia) and those affected suffer from fatigue, loss of performance and susceptibility to infections.
These possibilities exist
Dietary change Dietary supplements (iron tablets, juice, Floradix, Ferro Sanol, herbal blood) Iron infusions Homeopathy
- Change of diet
- Food supplements (iron tablets, juice, Floradix, Ferro Sanol, herbal blood)
- Iron infusions
- Homeopathy
A widespread, simple and cheap method is to take iron tablets. Depending on the iron content, a pack costs 4-20 euros and is available over the counter in drugstores or pharmacies. The daily requirement of iron, depending on age and sex, is 10-15mg women and especially women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need a little more.
High-dose iron preparations (80-100mg) should only be taken after a doctor has confirmed a lack of iron. Low-dose supplements (10mg) can be taken without a diagnosis. The tablets should be taken on an empty stomach up to two hours before breakfast.
Otherwise, the tablets can be taken about 2 hours after a meal. It is important here that a further intake of food is then only taken after another hour at the earliest. The iron intake can be influenced by various foods, which also explains the waiting time between meals and the taking of the tablets.
Among the foods that can influence the intake are black tea, milk, spinach or rice. Furthermore, the effect of the tablets can be reduced by taking them with other medicines. These include certain antibiotics, for example.
To improve the absorption of iron, it can be taken with orange juice (vitamin C). Side effects such as gastrointestinal problems can occur during the course of therapy. A common abnormality is that the bowel movement turns black.
This is caused by iron that is not absorbed and reacts with air and is harmless. In addition, discoloration of the teeth can occur, which is why the tablets should not be kept in the mouth for long. In case of iron utilization disorders, severe liver and kidney diseases, hypersensitivity or children, the intake should be discussed with a doctor and avoided.
In total, only 5-15% of the iron is absorbed into the body from the intestines. To compensate for a severe iron deficiency, a long intake (at least 2 months) is necessary. If you have problems swallowing tablets, you can also take iron in the form of a juice or drops.
The iron content varies greatly between the individual products and is between 2 – 35mg/100ml. Iron juices are therefore considered to be food supplements. They are also available without prescription and can be taken by healthy people without hesitation.
It is nevertheless worthwhile to consult a doctor or pharmacist to find out which product is the right one. If a clear iron deficiency is already apparent from the blood count, a juice may no longer be sufficient. The excess iron is not absorbed and excreted by the intestine, which can turn the bowel movement black.
As a rule, iron preparations are only taken in phases. Once the iron stores are filled up, a longer break can be taken again. Floradix® or Kräuterblut® is a preparation which contains iron or the active substance iron (II) gluconate and can be purchased in pharmacies or health food shops.
There is Floradix® as juice, tablets or Dragees to buy. According to the package insert, the preparation should be taken for about 12 weeks. Floradix® is to be understood according to manufacturer as prophylactic.
This means that it is used in case of an increased risk of developing an iron deficiency – it should therefore prevent an iron deficiency.Some products also contain folic acid (good for pregnant women), vitamin B12 or are specially prepared for children, athletes or vegans. To control the iron content, a blood test should also be carried out after the end of the intake or already during it to check for an increase in the values. Ferro Sanol® is also the trade name of other iron preparations.
Tablets, dragees, drops and juices are available in different concentrations. Capsules are slightly better tolerated (ferro sanol duodenal®). The coating is resistant to gastric juice, i.e. iron is only released in the small intestine and thus cannot irritate the stomach lining.
Ferro Sanol® products can usually be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription. In the event of an iron deficiency, they should be taken after consultation with the doctor treating the patient. As with other iron medications, attention should be paid to the time interval between iron intake using Ferro Sanol® and certain foods.
To check the iron content in the body, regular checks by a doctor are advisable. The classic iron juice is herbal blood. It is available from various suppliers.
It is purely vegetable and consists of a mixture of hibiscus flowers, bitter fennel, carrot, couch grass rootstock, yarrow herb, angelica root, horsetail, ribwort leaves, juniper berries, chicory root, bitter orange peel. It contains 50% iron and is a food supplement. Among all iron juices, however, herbal blood has an extremely bitter taste.
In contrast to other iron-containing medications, herbal blood is mostly used preventively, which means that it is applied before iron deficiency occurs. This is the case, for example, with people whose iron requirements are temporarily increased, such as during pregnancy. As with other iron-containing medications, attention should also be paid to the time interval between the intake of the drug and certain foods.
The time interval is important because certain foods can lead to a poorer absorption of iron in the body. These include milk, coffee and pulses. If a person suffers from an enormously pronounced iron deficiency and/or already shows symptoms such as dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia and enormous fatigue or is being prepared for an operation, the iron stores must be replenished more quickly.
For this purpose, iron is administered as short infusions. The infusion contains a dark brown liquid (iron + saline solution) and may only be administered by medical personnel. This allows large amounts of iron to be administered quickly without loss through the intestines.
People with chronic inflammatory bowel disease also benefit from venous iron administration. Iron infusions should not be combined with oral iron. After an infusion, the patient must be observed for at least 30 minutes.
Side effects include headache, nausea, metallic taste in the mouth and even allergic shock. The homeopathic treatments are mainly aimed at nutrition. In particular, those affected are advised to eat foods that are particularly rich in iron.
Homeopaths also recommend dietary supplements such as Floradix®. In the case of a pronounced iron deficiency, it is questionable whether these measures are sufficient to adequately remedy the deficiency, since the food or dietary supplements contain comparatively little iron compared to iron-containing medications. If there is an iron deficiency, it is best to consult your doctor. Based on the blood values, the doctor can best assess which form of iron intake is most suitable for the patient
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