A deficiency in iron and vitamin B12 are often connected.
Iron can be taken as a supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Iron comes in many "salt" forms. Ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most commonly used iron salt. Slow-release or coated products may cause less stomach problems. But, they may not be absorbed as well. Some products contain vitamin C to improve absorption. Talk to your doctor, though, because your iron level could get too high.
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of getting this condition, take the following steps:
Eating a diet rich in iron (eg, oysters, meat, poultry, fish, broccoli)
Eat iron fortified foods including cereal.
Avoiding foods that interfere with iron absorption, like black tea.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when the body needs more vitamin B12 than it receives from the diet. Alternatively, the condition may occur when the body is unable to use the vitamin B12 from the diet. A shortage of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia . Anemia is the insufficient delivery of oxygen by red blood cells from the lungs to the cells of the body. The sooner this anemia is treated, the more favorable the outcome.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Oral Vitamin B12 Supplement
This treatment consists of high doses of an oral vitamin B12 supplement.
Vitamin B12 Injections
The doctor may advise the patient to receive injections of vitamin B12 into a muscle. Injections of vitamin B12 may be given 2-4 days per week. When blood tests show improvement, the doctor may give injections on a monthly basis.
Treatment With Antibiotics
This type of medication may be needed in cases where bacterial overgrowth in the intestines exists. The bacteria compete with the body to absorb the vitamin B12 in the intestines.
Intranasal Vitamin B12
The doctor gives the patient a supplement of vitamin B12 that is placed in the nose.
Oral Iron Therapy
The physician will recommend this treatment when an iron deficiency exists. In this case, the doctor will tell the patient to take iron supplements before treating with vitamin B12.
Comment Reply
Hello Anon
A deficiency in iron and vitamin B12 are often connected.
Iron can be taken as a supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Iron comes in many "salt" forms. Ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most commonly used iron salt. Slow-release or coated products may cause less stomach problems. But, they may not be absorbed as well. Some products contain vitamin C to improve absorption. Talk to your doctor, though, because your iron level could get too high.
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of getting this condition, take the following steps:
Eating a diet rich in iron (eg, oysters, meat, poultry, fish, broccoli)
Eat iron fortified foods including cereal.
Avoiding foods that interfere with iron absorption, like black tea.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when the body needs more vitamin B12 than it receives from the diet. Alternatively, the condition may occur when the body is unable to use the vitamin B12 from the diet. A shortage of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia . Anemia is the insufficient delivery of oxygen by red blood cells from the lungs to the cells of the body. The sooner this anemia is treated, the more favorable the outcome.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Oral Vitamin B12 Supplement
This treatment consists of high doses of an oral vitamin B12 supplement.
Vitamin B12 Injections
The doctor may advise the patient to receive injections of vitamin B12 into a muscle. Injections of vitamin B12 may be given 2-4 days per week. When blood tests show improvement, the doctor may give injections on a monthly basis.
Treatment With Antibiotics
This type of medication may be needed in cases where bacterial overgrowth in the intestines exists. The bacteria compete with the body to absorb the vitamin B12 in the intestines.
Intranasal Vitamin B12
The doctor gives the patient a supplement of vitamin B12 that is placed in the nose.
Oral Iron Therapy
The physician will recommend this treatment when an iron deficiency exists. In this case, the doctor will tell the patient to take iron supplements before treating with vitamin B12.
Best,
September 12, 2017 - 4:48amSusan
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