Why Your Low Iron Levels May Not Improve Even After Taking Supplements

Iron supplements seem like a straightforward solution to low iron levels: identify the deficiency, repair what is lost, and wait until the human body catches up to health. But biology hardly ever follows through on these neat and clear equations.

For many people, low iron levels remain stubbornly low despite weeks of supplementation. On most occasions, the problem is due to the lack of absorbing capacity of iron. But even if that is not the case, persistent blood loss due to some reason, a gastrointestinal problem or even consuming a particular type of iron may be contributing.

The crucial issue is often not how much iron goes into the body, but how well the body is able to put it to use. Learning how to handle this situation could be the key in understanding why supplementation is not helping as expected and which ways we can take to tackle iron deficiency. 

1. Your Body May Not Be Absorbing Enough Iron

Sometimes, even if you are taking iron, it doesn't mean that your body absorbs all of it. The form of iron in the supplement plays a big role in its bioavailability and digestibility.

Ferrous bisglycinate is a form of "chelated" iron which is the result of combining iron and glycine molecules together. It may have a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract and in situations of poor iron absorption may be superior to other types of iron salts.

Vitamin C also helps in the absorption of iron, especially when the food is of plant origin, such as lentils, beans, and leafy vegetables.

What to do: If you continue to experience low iron levels, then the form of iron in your supplement should be checked along with a consultation from a healthcare professional.

2. Your Chai or Coffee Habit May Matter

For plenty of Indians, tea and coffee are staples of everyday survival. However, consuming both or even one alongside iron-rich foods or iron supplements can reduce iron absorption due to their polyphenol content.

In addition, taking calcium supplements at the same time may also hinder iron absorption. On the other hand, having vitamin C-rich foods, such as amla, guava, or oranges, may help increase the uptake of non-haem iron in the body.

A small step: Read approximately about the dosage and timing of your supplement and seek advice from a doctor or healthcare professional about managing interactions with other elements, including tea, coffee, calcium, and medicines.

3. The Cause of Iron Deficiency May Still Be Present

In some situations, your low iron levels remain the same if the reason has not been dealt with yet.

Different reasons include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding or other ongoing blood loss 

• Digestive disorders can hinder the absorption of iron

• Not consuming enough iron through diet is another potential cause

• High demand for iron during pregnancy or periods of growth

The World Health Organisation mentions that anaemia can also be caused by inflammation, infections, and deficiencies of nutrients other than iron.

If your blood reports still show low haemoglobin levels after some time of taking iron supplements as a treatment, your doctor may decide to do additional tests to get to the bottom of your problem.

4. Low Iron Levels Take Time to Recover

Taking iron supplements will not be a quick-fix. Iron is used by the body to form hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen within red blood cells. It takes some time to build up the iron levels and to re-establish the hemoglobin level in the body.

A study done in 2015 and published in The National Library Of Medicine compared iron dosing regimens in iron-deficient women and found that alternating-day dosing could increase iron absorption compared to consecutive-day dosing during the experiments. Yet, this finding is not a universal instruction; that is, everyone cannot just switch their dosing schedules.

Your blood reports and the way your body responds to treatment will help your doctor choose the right time and dosage to take the pills.

5. Serious Side Effects Might Interfere With the Regular Course of Treatment

Feeling sick in the stomach, constipation, abdominal pain, and stools changing colour are typical issues that people report after taking iron tablets.

These effects can make it difficult to follow a treatment routine.

Some people tolerate ferrous bisglycinate better than the standard iron salts, but it varies from person to person. If the side effects persist, discuss other formulations or schedules with your healthcare professional instead of discontinuing treatment on your own.

How To Address The Issue of Persistently Low Iron Levels?

A few steps you can take to help you deal better with the issue of iron deficiency:

1. Look into your blood results: Enquire about the haemoglobin levels, ferritin level, and other necessary indicators.

2. Check your eating habits: Ensure you are eating foods rich in iron (lentils, beans, leafy vegetables, fortified foods etc.)

3. Enhance your iron absorption: Combine plant-based iron sources with vitamin C-rich foods.

4. Look into your supplement: Learn what kind of iron is in your supplement and how much elemental iron it delivers. Make sure you do this under professional guidance.

5. Monitor your results: Stick to the prescribed course of treatment and repeat blood tests when advised.

Choosing Iron Supplement

In case the problem of iron deficiency persists, then this does not necessarily mean that you should take larger doses. It is crucial to understand if the matter has something to do with absorption, side effects, bleeding, or some other underlying health problems.

The Rasayanam’s True Form Iron contains iron bisglycinate, vitamin C, B complex vitamins, and digestion herbs. It may be worth exploring when comparing iron supplements, alongside advice from a healthcare professional.

The main message here is: Addressing iron deficiency is more than consuming one pill. Understanding the cause, choosing the appropriate supplement, and monitoring your growth will allow you to cope with low iron levels more accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can taking too much iron be harmful?

Yes. Excess iron can cause gastrointestinal side effects and, in significant amounts, toxicity or organ damage. Iron supplements should be taken at the recommended dose under appropriate medical guidance, particularly by children and people with certain medical conditions.

2. Can digestive problems cause iron deficiency even with a balanced diet?

Yes. Conditions such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can affect the absorption of nutrients. If iron deficiency persists despite adequate intake and appropriate treatment, a doctor may investigate possible digestive causes.

3. If my haemoglobin is normal what does low ferritin mean?

A low ferritin level is an indication of depleted iron levels, even though the haemoglobin level may still be within the normal range. This could mean that you have a condition of iron deficiency and would require further tests to determine this.

4. Can iron deficiency return after blood tests become normal?

Yes. Normalised haemoglobin does not always mean iron stores are fully replenished. Iron deficiency can also recur if its original cause remains unresolved. Follow-up testing can help determine whether treatment has restored iron stores and whether further management is needed.

5. Can inflammation make it harder for the body to use iron?

Yes. Inflammation can cause a rise in a hormone called hepcidin that reduces the amount of iron absorbed from the gut and restricts the release of stored iron. This means that a person can have a low iron availability even when storing some iron in the body.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for iron deficiency diagnosis and supplement dosage. Do not change your treatment without medical guidance.