Treatment of Iron Deficiency
Iron Deficiency

Treatment of Iron Deficiency with or without anemia

The symptoms of iron deficiency being often non-specific, iron deficiency is often not perceived to be a medical condition requiring treatment. Given the essential role of iron for normal cellular function, including oxygen transport, erythropoiesis, energy production, DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, it is crucial that iron deficiency is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. In other words, the body needs adequate stored iron to meet the body’s demands.37

Ensuring a healty dietary intake of iron is the key to getting the iron we need. Depending on the circumstances and medical conditions of the patient, a treatment may however be necessary for rapidly replenishing iron stores and correcting anemia in patients with iron deficiency (± anemia) of various aetiologies, including patients with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and women with iron deficiency during pregnancy, postpartum or associated with heavy uterine bleeding. Since the body has no mechanism for the active excretion of iron, body iron levels are controlled at the point of absorption in the small intestine.

The iron requirement depends on the hemoglobin level and is calculated by means of the Hb concentration and the amount of stored iron as follows:

Total iron deficiency [mg] = cumulative total dose [mg] =

body weight [kg] × (target Hb - actual Hb) [g / dl] × 2.4 + stored iron [mg].

Iron store is 500 mg for patients > 35 kg, or 15 mg / kg body weight for patients <35 kg.38

iron deficiency

References

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Treatment of Iron Deficiency | Ferinject CH
Given the essential role of iron for normal cellular function, including and oxygen transport it is crucial that iron deficiency is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.