Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women: Signs, Tests and Iron Supplements
Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common health problems among women in Pakistan; national surveys have found it in roughly four in ten women of child-bearing age. Heavy periods, pregnancy, closely spaced births and diets low in iron are the usual causes. This guide is prepared by the Medicine Online pharmacy team under the medical oversight of Dr. Farhan Rashid Abbasi.
Signs of anaemia
- Constant tiredness and weakness
- Breathlessness or a racing heart on climbing stairs
- Pale skin, inner eyelids or nails; brittle or spoon-shaped nails
- Headaches, dizziness and poor concentration
- Hair fall, and cravings for ice, clay or uncooked rice (pica)
Tests to ask for
- CBC: shows haemoglobin (Hb) and whether the red cells are small and pale, as in iron deficiency.
- Serum ferritin: the best measure of your iron stores.
Anaemia has other causes too, such as thalassaemia trait, B12 or folate deficiency, and blood loss from the stomach or bowel. Your doctor should find the cause rather than just treat the number, especially in men and in women after menopause.
Iron supplements available in Pakistan
| Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Tablets and capsules | Ferosoft FA, Maltofer Fol, Sangobion, Iberet Folic-500 |
| Syrups | Ferosoft syrup, Sangobion syrup, Iberet 500 syrup |
| Drops for children | Ferosoft drops, Maltofer drops |
| Intravenous iron (hospital or clinic only) | Venofer, used when tablets do not work, are not tolerated, or iron is needed quickly |
How to take iron so it works
- Take it on an empty stomach if you can, or with a little food if it upsets your stomach.
- Take it with vitamin C, such as orange juice or a guava, which improves absorption.
- Keep tea away from iron. Leave at least an hour between your iron dose and doodh-patti or green tea, which block absorption.
- Separate iron from calcium, antacids and some antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin) by at least two hours.
- Many doctors now advise iron once daily or on alternate days, which can be absorbed as well with fewer side effects. Follow your doctor's plan.
Black stools are expected with iron. Constipation and nausea are common; tell your doctor if they stop you taking it, as a different form may suit you better.
How long treatment takes
Haemoglobin usually starts to rise within 2–4 weeks, but you need to continue for about three months after it returns to normal to refill your iron stores.
Folic acid before and during pregnancy
Women planning a pregnancy are advised to take folic acid daily from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy to lower the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
Iron-rich foods
Liver, red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, daal and chickpeas, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, dates and jaggery (gur).
Browse anaemia and iron medicines, multivitamins and supplements and feminine care.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take iron and calcium together?
It is better to separate them by at least two hours, because calcium reduces iron absorption.
Are iron supplements safe for children?
Yes, at the right dose, but iron overdose is dangerous for children. Keep all iron products locked away and out of reach.
Related guides: Vitamin D deficiency in Pakistan · Baby and mother care essentials
Medically reviewed under the oversight of Dr. Farhan Rashid Abbasi. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice.
