Iron is an important raw material for the synthesis of hemoglobin. When iron intake is insufficient, absorption is reduced, demand is increased, iron utilization is impaired or lost excessively, it can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin synthesis, which in turn can cause anemia. Iron supplements are important drugs for treating iron deficiency anemia, but many patients often experience poor efficacy due to improper medication details, and even interrupt treatment due to side effects. It should be noted that the timing, contraindications, and individualized selection of iron supplements directly affect the absorption rate of drugs and the gastrointestinal tolerance of patients. Two types of iron supplements have their own advantages and disadvantages. Common oral iron supplements include ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous succinate, etc. It is recommended to take them on an empty stomach. In an empty stomach state, there is no food interference in the stomach, and iron can quickly enter the small intestine through the stomach. The small intestine is the main site of iron absorption, which is beneficial for the iron ions in the iron to fully contact the intestinal mucosal cells, resulting in a higher absorption rate and better effect. However, some oral iron supplements may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea; Some dosage forms (such as solutions) have a noticeable metallic odor, which may cause patient rejection. If you are intolerant on an empty stomach, you can switch to taking warm water with meals or 1 hour after meals, and combine it with vitamin C tablets to promote absorption. For those with good gastrointestinal function, priority should be given to fasting iron supplements combined with vitamin C; for those with gastrointestinal sensitivity, priority should be given to iron supplements taken during or after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Intravenous iron supplements such as sucrose iron and carboxymethyl maltose iron can be fully absorbed by the human body, have a fast onset of action, and have no gastrointestinal irritation symptoms. But the only drawback is that it is inconvenient to use and requires medical monitoring during administration. In addition, serious adverse reactions may occur, such as acute complications, oxidative stress damage, exacerbation of infection, inhibition of white blood cell function, and susceptibility to iron overload. The key to affecting iron absorption is to avoid taking nuts, milk, calcium tablets, antacids (such as sodium bicarbonate, aluminum hydroxide, etc.), strong tea, coffee (containing polyphenols and tannic acid) together with these foods or drugs, as they can inhibit the absorption effect of iron. If it is necessary to consume the above foods and medications, it is necessary to ensure that you eat 2 hours before taking iron supplements and 4 hours after taking iron supplements. The "golden partner" of vitamin C that promotes absorption can reduce trivalent iron to more easily absorbed divalent iron. It is recommended to pair it with 100-200mg of vitamin C, such as 1 orange or 1 piece of VC tablet. Patients with conditions such as atrophic gastritis may have insufficient stomach acid, which can be supplemented by oral lemon water. Special populations should pay attention to the high risk of anemia in pregnant women, and it is recommended to take small doses in divided doses. If divided into 2-3 times a day, choose a sustained-release dosage form if necessary; Children should prioritize choosing liquid or granular forms with good taste and low irritation. Common side effects include black stool, which is a normal phenomenon when dealing with gastrointestinal reactions. This is the result of the reaction between iron and intestinal sulfides, and there is no need to panic. Constipation sufferers can increase dietary fiber, drink more water, and use laxatives if necessary. Liquid preparations for tooth staining may cause teeth to turn black. It is recommended to take them through a straw and rinse your mouth promptly. It should be noted that after correcting iron deficiency anemia, iron supplementation should continue for 3-6 months to replenish stored iron. Regularly review serum ferritin (target value>50 μ g/L) to avoid excessive use leading to iron overload. Personalized medication enhances efficacy. Medication details are the "amplifier" of efficacy, and scientific iron supplementation can achieve twice the result with half the effort! For daily iron supplementation, priority should be given to iron supplements with high absorption rate and good tolerance, such as polysaccharide iron complexes. Adjust medication timing based on gastrointestinal reactions and communicate with doctors to change dosage forms if necessary. To avoid ineffective iron supplementation, if hemoglobin does not rise after two weeks of regular medication, it is necessary to investigate whether there is sustained blood loss, absorption disorders, or misdiagnosis. (New Society)