Category: Treatment Options

World Blood Donor Day

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Blood Donation Day June 14 (IronMaiden Website)

Sunday, June 14th is World Blood Donor Day as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). I’ve written in the past about my need for blood donation and the importance of post-donation iron supplementation for those who donate blood regularly.

For those who donate blood, I am forever grateful for your help when I was in need. Thank you for saving my life.

In celebration of World Blood Donor Day and those who donate, here is an infographic for you showing the importance of blood donation.

Happy World Blood Donor Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content and advice provided on The Iron Maiden is for information purposes only and should not serve as a substitute for a licensed health care provider, who is knowledgeable about an individual’s unique health care needs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron Deficiency: From Symptoms to Supplements

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You know those days where fatigue just gets the better of you and you spend your day feeling sluggish and unable to concentrate? If you were up late the night before or have had an especially hard and stressful week, then having a day like this may feel pretty normal. But, if you can’t pinpoint a cause for the way you’re feeling or find yourself feeling like that far too often, then you could be experiencing the symptoms of low iron.

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I Wonder if MY 70 Blood Donors Know The Importance of Post-Donation Iron Supplementation

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As the recipient of 70 units of blood last year (for bone marrow failure), I know first-hand how important blood donation is, and I am forever grateful for those who helped me when I was in need. On the weekend, I heard an announcement from Canadian Blood Services (CBS); while they are always in need of donors, their current inventory of O-negative blood is very low and they are asking for donors to come forward.

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Getting Your Iron Through IV Injection

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Getting more iron by eating iron-rich foods and taking an oral iron supplement are effective ways to treat iron deficiency, and while this is the preferred method of iron therapy, there are certain circumstances where intravenous (IV) iron may be necessary.

IV iron therapy is beneficial when iron supplements are unsatisfactory or impossible, such as dialysis associated anemia related to chronic kidney disease. The British Columbia Ministry of Health Guidelines and Protocols state that oral iron supplementation (compared to IV iron therapy) is safer, more cost-effective and convenient.

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12 Iron-Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet Pronto

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Need to up your iron intake? Well, this list of the top 12 iron-rich foods should help! Generally speaking, foods with an iron content of 1 – 5 mg per serving size are considered to be “good” sources of iron, and those with more than 5 mg of iron per serving are considered to be “excellent” sources of iron. The following 12 foods are not only the highest in iron, but are also found at most grocery stores and can be easily incorporated into your diet.

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A Quick & Easy Guide to Choosing the Right Iron Supplement

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So, you’re in need of an oral iron supplement and head to the pharmacy where you’re greeted by an overwhelming selection. How do you pick the right one without resorting to an impromptu game of eeny, meeny, miny, moe? Keeping in mind that every body is different (and a one-size-fits-all iron supplement does not exist), I recommend that the “right” iron supplement is one that patients can tolerate with the least amount of side effects.

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So, I’m Feeling Fine… Should I Stop Taking My Iron Supplement?

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You know how the doctor always stresses that you should finish a round of antibiotics even if you feel better, yet you still sometimes stop the second your symptoms are gone? That’s pretty much how it goes for iron supplements too. People tend to take them as advised because they feel run down, but as soon as they start to feel like themselves again, they might push their iron supplement to the back of the medicine cabinet. Continue reading →

Available Iron Supplements for Your Kids

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If your child is diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, a doctor will likely recommend using an iron supplement as well as increasing the amount of iron rich foods in his/her diet. Iron supplementation can be a bit tricky in children. Let’s face it; kids can be finicky so trying to get them to eat foods that are rich in iron can be hard enough, let alone trying to get them to take an iron supplement.

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Supplementation Options for Adults

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If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, chances are you been advised to use oral iron supplements, along with eating more foods rich in iron. Though there are several available at your pharmacy, resist the urge to just pick up any supplement because iron deficiency is not something you should try to treat on your own. Working with your doctor or pharmacist will allow you to get the right type and dose, and hopefully limit the undesired effects you may experience.

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