How to tell if oral iron is working?
0 comments
If you’re taking oral iron of any kind, give it 2 weeks to judge how well it’s working and will continue to work. ref
A ≥ 10 mmol/L increase in hemoglobin on day 14 most accurately predicted satisfactory overall hemoglobin response to oral iron on day 42/56 (sensitivity 90.1%; specificity 79.3%; positive and negative predictive values of 92.9% and 72.7%, respectively). Iron-replacement therapy improved quality of life and reduced fatigue.
Hemoglobin responses < 10 mmol/L at day 14 of oral iron identify subjects with iron-deficiency anemia who should be transitioned to IV iron supplementation.
Related Posts
How to best take oral iron
We know, it doesn’t make intuitive sense to take less iron when you need more of it. Our body does something interesting when it gets too much iron