From the Research
Iron does not play a direct role in the blood clotting process, and its primary importance is for hemoglobin production in red blood cells for oxygen transport, not for clotting function. The primary blood clotting mechanism involves platelets, calcium, and clotting factors (proteins) working together in a cascade reaction, but iron is not one of these essential components. However, iron deficiency anemia can indirectly affect clotting by causing thrombocytosis (elevated platelet count), which may increase clotting risk in some patients, as seen in a study where intravenous iron treatment reduced coagulability in patients with iron deficiency anemia 1. Conversely, excessive iron (hemochromatosis) doesn't typically cause clotting disorders.
When treating patients with bleeding disorders, addressing iron deficiency may be important for overall blood health, but iron supplementation itself won't correct clotting abnormalities. Standard clotting treatments focus on vitamin K, clotting factors, or medications that affect platelet function or the coagulation cascade, depending on the specific disorder. It's also important to note that iron deficiency is a common cause of morbidity and can arise as a consequence or complication from many diseases, and the use of intravenous iron has increased significantly in the last decade 2.
Some key points to consider include:
- Iron deficiency anemia can lead to negative health consequences, including fatigue, atrophic changes in the epithelium, oral lesions, dysphagia, nail lesions, and reduced immune response 3.
- Iron supplementation is the most common strategy used to control iron deficiency, and oral ferrous salt in a prolonged-release tablet form is often recommended 3.
- Adherence to iron therapies appears to be facilitated by using ferrous sulfate due to its optimal absorption, and particularly extended-release forms due to their improved tolerability for iron deficiency 4.
- Treating iron deficiency anemia reduces the blood's coagulability, as evidenced by the change in thrombin generation and factor VIII activity levels 1.
Overall, while iron is not directly involved in the blood clotting process, addressing iron deficiency is important for overall blood health, and iron supplementation can have indirect effects on clotting risk. The most recent and highest quality study suggests that intravenous iron treatment can reduce coagulability in patients with iron deficiency anemia 1.