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 … Continue reading World Blood Donor Day

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 … Continue reading Iron Deficiency: From Symptoms to Supplements

When it comes to taking an iron supplement there are a few things that you should consider, like knowing the differences between the available products, avoiding iron absorption inhibitors, and so forth. So, without further ado, let’s get to the 5 Dos that you can follow to help you get the most out of your … Continue reading Iron Supplements: 5 Things You Should Do

So, you’ve started taking an iron supplement and now it’s not going so well. Maybe it’s the side effects, or you keep forgetting to take all of your doses each day, or perhaps you just don’t feel like it’s working. What should you do? Well, here are a few tips for you:

If you’ve been diagnosed with iron deficiency, you have a few different options when it comes to treatment. It is likely that your doctor will recommend a combination of an iron-rich diet along with an iron supplement. Here’s an overview of the options so that you, together with your doctor or pharmacist, can come up … Continue reading I’m Iron Deficient… What Are the Treatment Options?

Most of the time, your primary care physician will be the first doctor you see about iron deficiency. Depending on your symptoms, blood work results, and cause of your iron deficiency, you may be referred to a different healthcare professional or specialist. Let’s take a look at which healthcare professionals may be involved in diagnosing … Continue reading Who Do I Need to See to Diagnose & Treat Iron Deficiency?

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

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 … Continue reading Getting Your Iron Through IV Injection

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 … Continue reading 12 Iron-Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet Pronto

If your doctor has advised you to take iron, then you’re going to want to take it so that your body gets the most out of the supplement with the least amount of side effects. Here are some tips to help you do just that!

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), … Continue reading A Quick & Easy Guide to Choosing the Right Iron Supplement

You know what I love about this time of year? Everything! The cheery music, so many treats, and enjoying laughs with loved ones over delicious meals are all things that make this time of year special.

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

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms that may indicate anemia, then your doctor may run a series of appropriate tests to make a definitive diagnosis. Let’s get right to it and take a look at what you can expect when being tested for ID and IDA.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of working on a project for Canadian Health & Family, hosted by Dr. Marla Shapiro, for a segment called Understanding and Treating Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia – maybe you’ve seen this segment which originally aired on CTV, or you’ve seen it playing in waiting rooms across … Continue reading My Work With Dr. Marla Shapiro!