Who needs an Iron Supplement?

Who Needs an Iron Supplement

The most common users of an iron supplement are women.  A woman’s iron needs are greater than a man’s, especially during menstruation and in the later years resulting in a need for an iron supplement.

Anyone whose daily intake of iron is below the RDA may need an iron supplement.  More often, vegetarians need an iron supplement because of an imbalance in the foods they eat.

Anemic people need an iron supplement, and the cause of the anemia can be a serious deficiency in iron intake.  Additionally, a person who gives blood may suffer from a temporary iron shortage and need an iron supplement.

Indications of a Needed Iron Supplement

Signs of iron depletion that warrant an iron supplement may include:

* More susceptibility to colds or flu

* Dry and lifeless hair

* Thin and brittle nails

* Poor memory or concentration levels

* Pale skin

* Heavy blood loss during menstruation

* Low energy and exhaustion

The person in need of an iron supplement may experience an inability to perform the tasks that are relatively easy for a normal person, and concentration for long periods may not be possible.  As with any medication or supplement, consult a physician if you suspect you need an iron supplement.

Iron Supplement Dosage

The amount of an iron supplement is based on the need of the individual, not the age or weight, even though they do have some relevance to the quantity.  The following are averages of daily recommended allowances and are not intended to be the exact dosage for any iron supplement.

Iron Supplement for Males and Females:

6 months or less – 6 mg

6 months to a year – 10 mg

One year to 10 years – 10 mg

Iron Supplement Females:

10 years to 50 years – 15 mg

Older than 50 years – 10 mg

Pregnant, any age – 30 mg

Lactating – 15 mg

Iron Supplement Males:

10 years to 18 years – 12 mg

Over 18 years – 10 mg

Because some iron is absorbed by the body from foods, an iron supplement may be too much if a large amount is taken.  Dietary Reference Intakes list the Tolerable Upper Intake Level as 45 mg per day for adults.  Children who are under 14 should not have more than 40 mg per day.

Iron Supplement Overdose

An overdose of an iron supplement can be deadly under the right conditions.  Three grams of iron can be lethal for a child of age two.  An adult can also overdose on an iron supplement if care is not taken to control the intake.

Free radicals are produced when an iron supplement is taken to the extreme.  Aside from the damage that free radicals can cause, an overdose of an iron supplement can cause a number of disorders.

The body can store an excess iron supplement, but if for a long duration, polycythemia, hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, and iron related anemia can result.  Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are two conditions that can follow an overdose of an iron supplement.