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What Is Ferrous Gluconate Dosage For Anemia?
I am taking ferrous gluconate for iron deficiency anemia....each pill is 325 mg with 34 units of elemental iron. The dosing is confusing....not sure if the therapeutic does refers to the actual pill or to the actual dose of elemental iron. I am currently taking 2 325 mg pills every 12 hours. That gives me 68 units of iron every 12 hours....Am I calculating this correctly?
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Hello.
Iron supplements are available in different forms one of which is the gluconate salt. This has better absorption and tolerance than the other forms.
The standard dosage of iron i.e. the dose at which the body can be expected to absorb iron most is not fixed as such. Usually followed is dosage is 65mg of elemental iron 3 times a day, but many people may not tolerate it as it may cause constipation and abdominal pain. Also the new studies indicate that absorption is equally good with about 15-20mg elemental iron per day, but not verified.
For now I suggest, you continue taking the same dosage if you donot have any symptoms relating to the gastrointestinal tract. If you do, consult your doctor to ascertain that it is due to the iron itself and not other causes, after which you may decrease the dosage.
Avoid taking tea and coffee and other beverages withing 2 hours of taking the tablet as they decrease the absorption. You may take Vitamin C alongwith the tablet as it increases the absorption.
Goal should be increase in the hemoglobin levels by about 2g/dl in 1-2 months.
Hope this helps. Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
Iron supplements are available in different forms one of which is the gluconate salt. This has better absorption and tolerance than the other forms.
The standard dosage of iron i.e. the dose at which the body can be expected to absorb iron most is not fixed as such. Usually followed is dosage is 65mg of elemental iron 3 times a day, but many people may not tolerate it as it may cause constipation and abdominal pain. Also the new studies indicate that absorption is equally good with about 15-20mg elemental iron per day, but not verified.
For now I suggest, you continue taking the same dosage if you donot have any symptoms relating to the gastrointestinal tract. If you do, consult your doctor to ascertain that it is due to the iron itself and not other causes, after which you may decrease the dosage.
Avoid taking tea and coffee and other beverages withing 2 hours of taking the tablet as they decrease the absorption. You may take Vitamin C alongwith the tablet as it increases the absorption.
Goal should be increase in the hemoglobin levels by about 2g/dl in 1-2 months.
Hope this helps. Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
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