What is Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is when you have a low amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin. This happens because you have too little iron in your body. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to parts of the body.

Anemia can cause your body to not get enough oxygen. It may or may not cause symptoms.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor. This includes iron pills (supplements) and vitamins.
• If you cannot handle taking iron pills by mouth, ask your doctor about getting iron through:
  • A vein (intravenously).
  • A shot (injection) into a muscle.
• Take iron pills when your stomach is empty. If you cannot handle this, take them with food.
• Do not drink milk or take antacids at the same time as your iron pills.
• To prevent trouble pooping (constipation), eat fiber or take medicine (stool softener) as told by your doctor.

Eating and drinking

• Talk with your doctor before changing the foods you eat. He or she may tell you to eat foods that have a lot of iron, such as:
  • Liver.
  • Lowfat (lean) beef.
  • Breads and cereals that have iron added to them (fortified breads and cereals).
  • Eggs.
  • Dried fruit.
  • Dark green, leafy vegetables.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C. They help your body to use iron. Foods with a lot of vitamin C include:
  • Oranges.
  • Peppers.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Mangoes.

General instructions

• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Keep yourself clean, and keep things clean around you (your surroundings). Anemia can make you get sick more easily.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous).
• You throw up (vomit).
• You feel weak.
• You are sweating for no clear reason.
• You have trouble pooping, such as:
  • Pooping (having a bowel movement) less than 3 times a week.
  • Straining to poop.
  • Having poop that is hard, dry, or larger than normal.
  • Feeling full or bloated.
  • Pain in the lower belly.
  • Not feeling better after pooping.

Get help right away if:

• You pass out (faint). If this happens, do not drive yourself to the hospital. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• You have chest pain.
• You have shortness of breath that:
  • Is very bad.
  • Gets worse with physical activity.
• You have a fast heartbeat.
• You get light-headed when getting up from sitting or lying down.