The body normally contains 3000-4000mg of #iron. Daily losses are minimal (1-2mg). #irondeficiency can take several years to slowly develop, often due to increased losses (heavy periods 30-50mg per months or pregnancy (the baby takes 1200mg) or reduced absorption (#vegetarians, poor diet, #IBD, post bariatric surgery)
#Irondeficiency means you are often >1000mg low on iron (Ferritin < 15 severe, #Ferritin < 30 mild). Dietary modification is the first step and add iron supplements. Dietary #iron is absorbed at 4-16mg per day in a well-balanced iron rich diet, so do the math! it will take 3-9 months to restore your levels with a healthy diet and iron tablets.
In people where this does not work or increasingly people who have ‘problems with iron tablets’ an option is a #ironinfusion. An #ironinfusion enables a full treatment dose up to be given to correct you to normal levels in one 30-minute treatment; the whole 1000-1600mg (20mg/kg).
