Understanding Iron: From Dietary Sources to Infusions
Iron is a vital mineral crucial for oxygen transport, muscle function, energy production, and immune function. Iron is especially important in women's health and during pregnancy due to its role in maintaining optimal health of her and her baby.
The Iron Challenge
Iron deficiency is a widespread issue, affecting approximately 1 in 4 women. It is surprisingly common for people to be unaware that they are iron deficient, as symptoms like fatigue, cold extremities, brain fog, hair loss, weakness, and shortness of breath can be easily overlooked. Iron absorption can be challenging due to dietary restrictions and the body's internal environment, making it difficult for some to maintain adequate levels through diet alone.
Dietary Iron Sources
Iron content in food varies significantly between heme and non-heme sources:
Heme Iron: Found in red meat, fish, and poultry, heme iron is absorbed at a rate of 15-35%. Non-Heme Iron: Present in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and dairy, non-heme iron is absorbed at a lower rate of 2-5%.
For example: achieving 1,000 mg of iron through dietary sources alone would require consuming over 177 full-sized steaks, translating to about 20 steaks per month over 9 months. This can be achieved safely in one hour by one single iron IV!
Looking at the numbers, we can see that relying solely on dietary sources to meet iron needs can be difficult, especially during pregnancy.
Iron and Pregnancy
Pregnancy significantly increases iron requirements, with women potentially losing up to 1,000 mg of iron during this period. Up to 65% of pregnant women are iron deficient by the third trimester. Iron deficiency during pregnancy can lead to health risks for both mother and baby, including preterm delivery, low birth weight, and post-delivery infant health issues.
Before Conception: It's crucial to achieve optimal iron levels before conceiving to ensure a healthy pregnancy start.
During Pregnancy: Iron infusions can be a safe and effective way to address deficiency, especially if oral iron is not tolerated or effective.
Postpartum: Women can lose additional iron during delivery, making postpartum infusions beneficial for recovery.
Infusions vs. Oral Iron
Many people struggle with iron supplements due to side effects like constipation and indigestion, and most supplementation plans take 6-12 months (sometimes more) to normalize iron levels. Infusions offer a quicker, more effective solution for those who struggle with oral iron, typically requiring just one session to correct deficiency.
Process and Safety
To receive an iron infusion, a doctor's referral with recent ferritin results is necessary. The process involves:
Initial Visit: Includes a full hematology panel, costing approximately $100 if not covered by a healthcare provider.
Infusion Types:
- Monoferric: Used for non-pregnant women
- Venofer: Used for pregnant women
Duration: The first visit may take up to 90 minutes, with subsequent visits being quicker. Iron infusions are generally safe, with common side effects including headache, muscle cramping, joint ache, metallic taste, nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Many people have no side effects at all.
Conclusion
Iron infusions are an underrated and effective solution for rapidly addressing iron deficiency, especially for those who cannot achieve adequate levels through diet alone. They offer a faster route to replenishing iron stores, crucial for maintaining health during pregnancy and beyond.
Call or email us at Delbrook Integrative to see if this is right for you, or book online!
