Should I Be Taking an Iron Supplement?
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Certain groups may need to take supplemental iron, and whether it’s in the form of an over-the-counter supplement or via a prescription from your doctor may depend on your recent blood work, medical history, and physician’s preference. Nevertheless, it’s always important to have a conversation with your doctor or registered dietitian when seeking to understand if supplementation is right for you.
If you fall within these groups, it may be recommended for you to take an iron supplement:
- Pregnant people
- People with heavy menstrual cycles
- People with GI conditions such as celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Those with a history of weight loss surgery, or other GI surgeries
- Those taking medications that impact iron levels, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Those following a total vegetarian (vegan) diet
- People who donate blood regularly
- People with cancer
Your doctor and registered dietitian are here to help you understand if supplemental iron is needed as part of your care plan, and how much it may be advised you take.
*References available with PDF download