Pregnant women who have anemia deficiency are advised to take iron supplements. People who have normal iron levels but are still taking iron supplements will not have any health benefits. They can get iron through their diet.
Iron can be found in many proteins and enzymes in our body to stay healthy. It is a mineral that is found inside hemoglobin which is known as the pigment in red blood cells. It transports oxygen to all the organs and tissues in our body. If the level of iron decreases in the blood, it will also decrease the amount of hemoglobin.
Being a mother of 2 kids, I can say from my experience that iron supplements for women should be taken only after a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Anemia occurs due to a low level of hemoglobin. At the beginning and towards the end of pregnancy, the level of hemoglobin should be over 11 gms per deciliter. This is considered to be the normal level of hemoglobin. A small drop to 10.5 gm per deciliter occurs between the third and sixth months which is also considered to be normal.
If the hemoglobin level gets lower, the iron level in the blood is also get measured. This also helps to know whether the low level of hemoglobin is due to iron deficiency. Our body stores a certain amount of iron. This can also be measured to find the stores of iron in our bodies. If your hemoglobin level is normal but it is showing empty stores of iron that means, you have non-anemic iron deficiency.
Women have to undergo several tests during pregnancy. One of them is a blood test. Blood tests include testing iron levels so that anemia can be detected in early-stage and can be treated using iron supplements.
Which food should pregnant women eat to overcome iron deficiency?
A lot of food that we eat provides iron. During my pregnancy, I ate meat as we get a lot of meat from hemoglobin in the animal’s body. The liver has a high level of iron. Plant-based food also contains iron but it is hard for our body to absorb it. For instance, cereals, whole grain flakes, legumes, green leafy vegetables, and herbs. All of them have a great amount of iron. It can be taken as a dietary supplement.
What are the Implications of iron deficiency in pregnant ladies?
In the initial stage of my pregnancy, I feel tired and exhausted all the time. After sharing this thing with my husband, he got me tested. The results show that I was severely anemic. My doctor warned me that it can lead to certain complications in my pregnancy. For instance, it can weaken my immunity, make certain infections, etc. It can also be dangerous for my baby too. This condition is rare in healthy pregnant women who eat a balanced diet. If you don’t eat a balanced diet, it can result in serious health problems.
When you should take iron supplements?
Sometimes, pregnant women take iron supplements without having full knowledge about their deficiency. They just know that their body needs it during pregnancy. Get yourself tested first. If your iron level in the blood comes normal, but still advised to take iron supplements in order to avoid anemia. If you have mild anemia, it will not harm the baby, though. It will be a huge problem if it is severe and lasts a long time. If you are anemic, the doctor will prescribe you a high dose of supplements.
According to some health authorities, pregnant or breastfeeding women require 20-30mg of iron per day. Vegetarians find it difficult to fulfill this requirement. Iron deficiency can be detected in the early stages of the blood tests. Iron supplements for kids are also required for their growth and development.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/baby/are-you-getting-enough-iron
Will it make a difference if women with normal levels take iron supplements?
There are various studies conducted on the use of iron supplements during pregnancy. Several women took part in those studies. The studies reveal that women with normal levels require 30mg of iron as a precautionary measure and there will not be any noticeable health benefits for them or for their children. However, iron supplements reduce the risk of anemia. It does not identify the number of babies with low birth weight or a number of preterm births or any infection in the women.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7193469/
What are the Side effects and how much dose is required?
Too much iron is also unhealthy. Although, our bodies do have iron stores. But too much iron has some side effects. For instance, gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, constipation, etc.
Source: https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-iron
Its dosage should be discussed with the healthcare professional. Only he can tell you the right amount. My doctor prescribes me Frunutta dissolvable vitamin supplements. It is very easy to take. It gets dissolved in the mouth quickly. If you also have a similar problem like me, get yourself tested first and do tell your health professional to recommend you similar supplement.
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