If Hb levels are less than 10 grams per deciliter, side effects of oral supplementation are not tolerable (e.g., constipation), and/or Hb fails to rise from treatment sufficiently, intravenous iron is often prescribed. While less convenient, it can increase Hb more quickly and with less adverse reactions, which tend to include local pain, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.[1][2]
References
- ^Rogozińska E, Daru J, Nicolaides M, Amezcua-Prieto C, Robinson S, Wang R, Godolphin PJ, Saborido CM, Zamora J, Khan KS, Thangaratinam SIron preparations for women of reproductive age with iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy (FRIDA): a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Lancet Haematol.(2021-Jul)
- ^Govindappagari S, Burwick RMTreatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy with Intravenous versus Oral Iron: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Am J Perinatol.(2019-Mar)