From the Guidelines
The initial treatment for iron deficiency anemia in a vegan should be with one tablet per day of ferrous sulphate, fumarate, or gluconate. This recommendation is based on the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of iron deficiency anaemia in adults 1. The guidelines suggest that if the initial treatment is not tolerated, a reduced dose of one tablet every other day, alternative oral preparations, or parenteral iron should be considered.
When selecting an iron supplement, vegans should opt for non-animal-derived supplements, as some contain gelatin. It is also essential to take iron supplements with vitamin C, such as orange juice, to enhance absorption, while avoiding calcium-rich foods, coffee, tea, or antacids that can inhibit absorption.
Some key points to consider when treating iron deficiency anemia in vegans include:
- Increasing iron-rich vegan foods like legumes, tofu, fortified cereals, dark leafy greens, dried fruits, and seeds
- Using liquid formulations or iron bisglycinate to minimize gastrointestinal side effects like constipation, nausea, and abdominal discomfort
- Considering intravenous iron under medical supervision if oral supplements are not tolerated or effective
The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines provide a strong recommendation for the initial treatment of iron deficiency anemia, with a consensus of 92% and medium evidence quality 1. This guideline is the most recent and highest-quality study available, making it the basis for the recommended treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
Each tablet contains 324 mg of ferrous gluconate, equivalent to 38 mg of elemental iron, providing 211% of the U.S. recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron for adults and children 4 and older. Adult Serving Size: 1 tablet three to four times daily.
The recommended initial treatment for iron deficiency anemia in a vegan is ferrous gluconate (2). The initial dose is 1 tablet three to four times daily for adults.
- Key points:
- Drug name: ferrous gluconate
- Dose: 1 tablet three to four times daily
- Population: adults It is also important to consult a physician for children.
From the Research
Initial Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Vegans
- The initial treatment for iron deficiency anemia in vegans typically involves oral iron supplementation 3.
- A study published in 2020 suggests that oral iron doses of 60-120 mg given on alternate days may be an optimal regimen for women with iron deficiency and mild anemia 3.
- Another study published in 2017 found that ferrous sulfate was more effective than iron polysaccharide complex in increasing hemoglobin concentration in infants and children with nutritional iron-deficiency anemia 4.
- For patients who are intolerant to oral iron or have more severe anemia, intravenous iron therapy may be considered 5, 6.
Oral Iron Supplementation
- Oral iron supplementation can be an effective strategy to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia, but guidelines vary 3.
- A study published in 2023 found that the addition of vitamin C or ascorbate to oral iron supplementation did not significantly improve treatment efficacy for anemia 7.
- However, another study published in 2020 suggests that providing morning doses of 60-120 mg iron as a ferrous salt given with ascorbic acid on alternate days may be an optimal oral dosing regimen for women with iron-deficiency and mild anemia 3.
Special Considerations for Vegans
- Vegans may require special consideration when it comes to iron deficiency anemia treatment, as their diet may be low in iron-rich foods 3.
- A well-planned vegan diet that includes iron-rich foods such as legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as vitamin C-rich foods to enhance iron absorption, can help prevent iron deficiency anemia 3.