Treatment:

Taking supplements and eating iron-rich foods are important parts of treating iron deficiency anemia. However, you and your health care provider must first search for the cause of your anemia.

Iron supplements (most often ferrous sulfate) are needed to build up the iron stores in your body.

Patients who cannot take iron by mouth can take it through a vein (intravenous) or by an injection into the muscle.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women will need to take extra iron because their normal diet usually will not provide the amount they need.

The hematocrit should return to normal after 2 months of iron therapy. However, keep taking iron for another 6 - 12 months to replace the body's iron stores in the bone marrow.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Chicken and turkey
• Dried lentils, peas, and beans
• Eggs (yolk)
• Fish
• Meats (liver is the highest source)
• Peanut butter
• Soybeans
• Whole-grain bread

Other sources include:

• Oatmeal
• Raisins, prunes, and apricots
• Spinach, kale, and other greens

Expectations (prognosis):

With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. However, it does depend on the cause. Usually, blood counts will return to normal in 2 months.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of this disorder
• You notice blood in your stool