The benefits of iron pills

The health benefits of iron pills 

the doctor is the person authorized to dispense iron pills based on what the person's health condition calls for, and in general, iron pills have many health benefits, in the following axes a set of them:

The benefits of iron pills for anemia 

1. Iron pills benefit anemia cases in the following: improving anemia associated with some chronic diseases: many chronic diseases can cause anemia, such as: cancer, kidney problems, heart problems, so taking iron with other medications helps to build red blood cells, and improve the condition of anemia in this category of people with chronic problems, or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and receiving iron intravenously is more effective than taking supplements by mouth.
2. Improving anemia: anemia may also occur as a result of several factors; such as a low-iron diet, and blood loss in women during menstruation, in this case, the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can be improved by eating foods containing high iron content, in addition to its dietary supplements given by mouth, which the doctor prescribes depending on the severity of the deficiency.

The benefits of iron pills for hair

 Iron is an essential component of a type of enzyme that helps hair growth, and its low levels in the body may prevent the regeneration of hair follicle cells, so, the doctor may recommend taking iron pills to compensate for its deficiency in the blood in cases of iron deficiency-related anemia, which may be accompanied by hair loss.

The benefits of iron pills for the skin

Iron helps to stimulate B vitamins in the body and enhance skin glow and freshness, so it is recommended to get enough iron and eat foods rich in it, but iron pills are given to people who suffer from a lack of iron levels in the body based on the dosage determined by the doctor and the duration of use, as "excessive iron intake may damage the skin structures," according to Dr. Suhail simzar, a specialist in dermatology.

The benefits of iron pills for the brain 

Iron supplements may help to significantly improve short-term memory, positively affect psychometric test scores and attention according to a study conducted on pregnant women and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health Care, and the existence of some evidence about the role of iron supplements in improving cognitive functions was mentioned in the journal (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment) in 2014, but this effect should be confirmed by conducting more studies on different groups, and for sufficient periods of time.

In addition to the above, iron supplements were found to positively affect cognitive and psychomotor outcomes in infants and children with anemia, when taken for at least two months, according to a systematic review published in the annals of Nutrition and Metabolism in 2011

The benefits of iron pills for the heart 

It was found that iron supplements showed no effect on heart failure patients, while intravenous iron therapy improved exercise ability and quality of life, and alleviated heart failure symptoms, according to a review published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs in 2017, but more large-scale trials and studies are needed on this benefit.

The benefits of iron pills for restless legs 

Oral iron intake may help relieve symptoms of restless legs syndrome, such as: uncomfortable legs, sleep problems, so the use of iron is recommended to improve the symptoms of this syndrome, which is accompanied by low iron levels.

The benefits of iron pills for sports performance 

Iron has a key role in metabolic processes, the formation of proteins responsible for delivering oxygen to the cells of the body, such as hemoglobin contained in red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body, and myoglobin contained inside the muscles, responsible for transporting and storing oxygen inside them.

The intake of iron supplements by athletes also helps to enhance their athletic performance, as stated in the clinical study published in the Journal of Sports Health in 2018, [١٠] it was found that iron supplements increase endurance in women with iron deficiency according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2019, which was conducted on 73 women.

The benefits of iron pills for esophageal cancer

 The use of iron supplements may be associated with a reduced risk of esophageal cancer according to a preliminary study published in the journal (PLOS One) in 2014.

 The benefits of iron pills for fatigue

 Iron may help relieve unexplained fatigue in men or women, as it is indicated that iron deficiency may result in a decrease in energy levels, and fatigue associated with inability to perform activities and daily routine, so eating iron-rich foods, or taking iron supplements can help raise iron levels and relieve feelings of fatigue and fatigue.

 The benefits of iron pills for depression

 Postpartum it was found that women suffering from postpartum depression taking iron supplements early after their birth contributes to raising the levels of iron stores in their bodies, and noticing a clear improvement in the symptoms of postpartum depression by 42.8% within 6 weeks, because low levels of ferritin after childbirth may be associated with the occurrence of postpartum depression, according to a study published in the journal (European Journal of Nutrition) in 2017.

The benefits of iron pills for fertility 

Women who used iron supplements had a significantly lower risk of infertility associated with ovulation compared to women who did not use iron supplements, according to a study published in the journal (Obstetrics and Gynecology) in 2006, so the consumption of iron supplements can reduce the risk of infertility associated with ovulation.

Benefits of iron for children 

one of the benefits that a child may get from iron pills is the following: reducing apnea attacks in children: it was found that iron deficiency anemia can have a role in the occurrence of apnea attacks in children, and anemia treatment may help reduce the number of these attacks according to a study conducted on 42 children diagnosed with apnea and published in the journal (Iranian Journal of Child Neurology) in 2019.

Improving attention in children with ADHD: iron deficiency in children can cause Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and it was found that taking iron supplements at a concentration of 80 milligrams per day improved the symptoms of this disorder in children with low levels of ferritin (Ferritin) in the blood, according to a study published in the journal Pediatric Neurology in 2008, which was conducted on a group of children 12 weeks, the need to conduct large-scale studies on this benefit is also indicated.

Cases that need iron pills 

most people get enough iron by consuming a healthy and balanced diet, however some people need a higher amount of iron, which can be provided by pills, and the following points show the cases that may need iron pills:

People with iron deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when red blood cells do not contain enough iron, causing these cells to be unable to effectively provide oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women need to take iron pills at a higher percentage compared to non-pregnant women, however, it is worth consulting a doctor to find out the necessary dosage and how to avoid side effects to getthe maximum benefit of iron pills in pregnancy with minimal harm.

People prone to constant blood loss

Iron supplements are usually needed by people who are prone to excessive blood loss, including people who donate blood periodically, people with serious bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract that can result from ulcers, cancer, and taking certain medications.it is worth noting that regular blood donation is not recommended for people with persistent iron deficiency.

People undergoing hemodialysis

Many people undergoing dialysis need more iron, as the kidneys are the organ responsible for making erythropoietin, or the erythropoietic component, which is the hormone that alerts the body to the formation of red blood cells, so anemia is often a side effect of the kidneys not working properly, and dialysis diets may reduce the patient's ability to take iron. People taking iron-depleting drugs some drugs can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iron, among these are: quinolone, tetracycline), Ranitidine, ACE inhibitors, and colestipol.

Children

 Children and adolescents need a high amount of iron to support rapid growth during this period, and its deficiency can cause impairment in their ability to learn.

Some athletes 

High-voltage activities can lead to the destruction of red blood cells, such as activities and movement carried out by people who do long-distance running, people who do other endurance sports, especially women and vegetarians.

Doses of iron pills and tips for taking them 

The appropriate dose of iron pills varies depending on the condition and disease, so you should follow the doctor's instructions, or the instructions attached to the label, as determining the appropriate dose of the drug, the number of daily doses, the time allowed between doses, and the duration of the drug, depends on the effectiveness of the pills, and the health problems that necessitated their use،

The following is an explanation of some tips on taking iron pills:

• The absorption of iron by the body increases on an empty stomach, but it can cause some unpleasant symptoms in some people, so it can be taken with a small amount of food to avoid the occurrence of these symptoms. 
• You should not drink milk, calcium, or antacids with iron supplements, but you should wait at least two hours after eating these foods, and before taking iron supplements, and you should not combine high-fiber foods such as whole grains, bran, vegetables, and caffeine sources with iron supplements. 
• Vitamin C can help the body absorb iron, so it is advisable to drink orange juice, or take vitamin C supplements with iron pills.

Damage to iron pills

 The degree of safety of using iron

 iron is often safe for most people when taken orally in the right quantities, however it can cause some side effects; such as stomach upset and pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dark stools, heartburn, and taking iron supplements with food can help to alleviate these effects, but it can reduce the body's ability to absorb iron, the following points show the degree of safety of various forms of iron, and some special precautions:

1.  Iron pills: iron pills are available in various chemical forms, and some brands claim that their products containing the polysaccharide iron compound cause fewer side effects than others, but there is no reliable scientific evidence to support this claim, and it is worth noting that some products of coated, or release-controlled iron tablets can reduce the feeling of nausea in some people, however the body may not be able to absorb these products. 
2. Liquid iron supplements: liquid iron supplements may cause blackening of the teeth. 
3. Intravenous iron: iron is often safe when given intravenously in the right amounts
4. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: iron is often safe for pregnant and lactating women who have sufficient iron reserves when consumed in doses below the maximum acceptable level of iron, but it is often unsafe when pregnant and lactating women who do not have iron deficiency take high doses, as high doses can cause side effects in the stomach and intestines, such as nausea and vomiting, and cause high hemoglobin levels in the blood, and high levels are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes during childbirth.
5. Children: high doses of iron are often unsafe for children, as they are the most common cause of poisoning deaths in children.doses of approximately 60 milligrams per kilogram of a child's weight can lead to death. iron poisoning can cause many serious problems, such as: stomach and intestinal stenosis, liver failure, and dangerously low blood pressure.

Cautions of using iron 

The following points explain the cautions of using iron for some cases:

1.  Diabetes: there is concern about the Association of an iron-rich diet with an increased risk of heart disease in women with Type II diabetes, but there is no scientific evidence about this association, so diabetics should consult a doctor about taking iron supplements. 
2. Ulcer of the stomach and intestines: iron can cause irritation, aggravate the condition of the ulcer, so iron should be consumed carefully in this case. 
3. Intestinal inflammation: such as ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease, as iron may cause irritation, and may worsen the condition of intestinal inflammation. 
4. Hemoglobin diseases: such as thalassemia, iron intake may lead to high levels in the body in people with these diseases, so you should not take iron without consulting a doctor.
5. Premature babies: giving iron to premature babies with low vitamin E levels in the blood can cause some serious problems, so Vitamin E deficiency should be treated, and a doctor should be consulted before starting to give iron to these babies.
6. Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: it is a genetic disorder that affects the formation of blood vessels, and iron intake can cause an increased risk of nosebleeds, so it should be used with caution for people with this disease.

Pharmacological interferences of iron

 Iron may interfere with some types of drugs, causing some problems, and among these drugs are the following:

 Quinolone antagonists: iron may reduce the amount of some antibiotics absorbed by the body, and may also reduce their effectiveness, so it is recommended to take iron before or two hours after taking antibiotics

 Tetracyclines: iron can bind with tetracyclines in the stomach, and this leads to a decrease in the amount absorbed by the body, in addition to reducing its effectiveness, so iron should be taken two hours before, or four hours after taking tetracyclines. 

Bisphosphonates: iron can reduce the absorption of bisphosphates and their effectiveness in the body, so it is advisable to take bisphosphonates at least two hours before taking iron or later during the day.

 Levodopa medication: iron may reduce the absorption of this medication, and its effectiveness in the body, so it is recommended not to take iron and this medication at the same time.

 Levothyroxine: it is a drug used for impaired thyroid function, and iron can reduce its absorption and effectiveness in the body. 

Methyldopa: iron can reduce the absorption and effectiveness of this drug by the body, so it is advisable to take iron at least two hours before or after taking this drug.

Mycophenolate mofetil: iron can reduce the amount of the drug absorbed by the body, and it can also reduce its effectiveness, so it is advisable to take iron at least two hours after taking this medicine. 

Penicillamine: this medicine is used for Wilson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and iron may reduce the amount of the drug absorbed by the body for the drug, and may also reduce its effectiveness, so it is recommended to take iron at least two hours before or after taking this medicine. 

Chloramphenicol: chloramphenicol may reduce the production of new blood cells, as taking it for a long time may reduce the effect of iron in new blood cells, but most people need to take this drug for short periods, so this reaction is not a big problem.

Injection of iron into the muscles 

Iron injections can be given into the muscles, usually given in the muscles of the buttocks, and are characterized by their speed compared to intravenous injections, but they are not used most of the time they are painful, and can lead to the appearance of some side effects, such as: muscle bleeding, and permanently changing the color of the injection site to Orange.