What is the first treatment tried for iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia means the body does not have enough iron to make healthy haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. It can cause tiredness, breathlessness on exertion, headaches, paleness or palpitations. A Blood Test helps confirm anaemia and iron deficiency, while the clinical history looks for causes such as heavy menstrual bleeding, low dietary intake, pregnancy or blood loss from the digestive tract. Replacing iron may improve the deficiency, but the reason for it still needs attention.

Take prescribed Iron Supplementation exactly as directed and discuss troublesome nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort or dark stools rather than stopping without advice. Keep iron away from children. Include iron-containing foods in a balanced diet; Nutrition Counselling can help when intake is limited or dietary needs are complex. If tablets are not tolerated, are not working, or deficiency is significant, a clinician may discuss Iron Therapy. Heavy menstrual bleeding may need separate treatment, such as a Hormonal Coil or Tranexamic Acid for Heavy Bleeding, depending on your circumstances.

Arrange review for persistent fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations or recurrent deficiency. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness at rest, fainting, vomiting blood, or black tarry stools that are not explained by prescribed iron. Follow-up testing may be used to check whether treatment is helping and whether another cause needs investigation.

Ask what the blood results show, how long replacement should continue, what side effects to expect, whether bleeding or diet may be contributing, and when follow-up testing is needed.