Iron Supplements

[dunnitall]

When elderly people are in need of iron supplements, tablets etc, do they take them for life or are they only for a certain time? I have heard that a lot of elderly people suffer iron deficiency for whatever reason and seem to be taking the tablets 'forever'. Would be interested to know. Thanks for any valuable comments.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm just guessing but one's normal diet should give all that's required so I'd think that supplements would only be prescribed to get over a particular circumstance. But the GP would know better.

[waterboatman]

I agree OG. Correct diet = supplements unnecessary.

[dunnitall]

I was referring more to those who don't get enough iron naturally, sorry if I mislead you. People with coeliacs disease or other ailments that deplete iron stores and have to take prescribed medication to bring levels to normal are the ones I have in mind. I just wondered if they are on them long term because of maintaining levels or the pills withdrawn at a certain stage. IMO I would have thought if the condition the medication is prescribed for and it was a chronic long term illness, the medication would be always available.

[albaqwerty]

father-in-law has been on iron tablets (along with loads of other medications) for many years now due to various health issues.

[waterboatman]

In that case dun, they could well be forever.

[dunnitall]

Thanks alba, I didn't think I was imagining it, I was sure if a life long condition prevailed which made someone iron deficient they wouldn't just withdraw the medication because they had reached 'normal range'.

[Buenchico]

From the Age UK website:

"The expert view:

Dr Liz Green says: 'Older patients should not routinely supplement with iron unless they have a known reason for any iron deficiency, for instance if they have just had an operation or suffered blood loss or are vegan.

'Also, iron deficiency in patients over 50 can be the first sign of an underlying health problem, so would we always want to investigate this fully.'

Fortunately, there are a couple of simple ways to improve iron absorption without taking a supplement. Priya Tew says: 'Drinking tea and coffee with a meal will reduce the amount of iron absorbed to keep these drinks to in-between meals.

'To boost iron absorption, have plenty of vitamin C in your diet and try having a glass or fruit juice with an iron-rich meal.' "

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/healthy-eating-landing/vitamins-for-older-people/

[Buenchico]

If anyone (of whatever age) actually needs iron supplements then they'll continue needing them unless the underlying condition which leads to that requirement ceases to be present (or, for example, if they give up a vegan lifestyle).

[fiction-factory]

There are a couple of typos in that link and hence in that extract, buenchico, so I thought I'd amend it here.

Dr Liz Green says: 'Older patients should not routinely supplement with iron unless they have a known reason for any iron deficiency, for instance if they have just had an operation or suffered blood loss or are vegan.

'Also, iron deficiency in patients over 50 can be the first sign of an underlying health problem, so would we always want to investigate this fully.'

Fortunately, there are a couple of simple ways to improve iron absorption without taking a supplement. Priya Tew says: 'Drinking tea and coffee with a meal will reduce the amount of iron absorbed SO keep these drinks to in-between meals.

'To boost iron absorption, have plenty of vitamin C in your diet and try having a glass OF fruit juice with an iron-rich meal.' "

[Buenchico]

Ta, F-F!

[albaqwerty]

just to mention, FIL is 82

[dunnitall]

Thank you to everyone for commenting.