Improving Mental Health Through Iron Deficiency Treatment

Appropriate testing and iron deficiency treatment can result in significant improvements in both mental and physical health. Unfortunately iron deficiency often goes undiagnosed and/or is not treated until someone becomes anemic (i.e., blood levels of haemoglobin drop). Numerous studies, however, show that reduced iron levels are associated with depression and other mental health problems. This article provides information about iron deficiency treatment and diagnosis.

Iron Deficiency Diagnosis | Testing for Iron

Blood tests for iron are the best indicator of iron status. Blood iron studies can be ordered by your doctor and results are usually reported for Iron, Transferrin, Transferrin Saturation and Ferritin.

Interpreting results can sometimes be a little tricky. For iron deficiency, it is the ferritin score - not the iron score - that is the best measure of iron stores in the body. A low ferritin score is a very reliable indicator of iron deficiency. However, sometimes ferritin levels can be high because of liver disease or inflammation and not because iron levels are adequate. The iron score in the test panel is NOT useful in assessing iron stores as it can be affected by such things as recent dietary intake or illness. Transferrin saturation, transferrin and blood haemoglobin levels can also provide further confirmatory information about iron levels as can a range of other blood test results.

What Do Iron Scores Mean?

Reference ranges for iron study results can vary a little across labs and also across sex, age and, in women, menopausal status. Iron deficiency is generally considered a ferritin level below 20 to 30 ug/L. However, from a nutritional and health optimisation standpoint levels just above this cut-off are far from optimal. Good levels for men are above 130 ug/L and above 120 ug/L for women.

Iron Deficiency Treatment

Adequate treatment for iron deficiency should always target the cause whether it is poor diet, excessive menstrual bleeding, poor absorption, medication use or excessive alcohol consumption (just to name a few). Repletion of iron levels is, however, necessary no matter what the cause. This can be achieved by the following methods:

• Oral iron tablets/capsules/liquid. For adults at least 100mg of elemental iron needs to be taken daily. Elemental iron refers to the amount of actual iron in each capsule/ serve. For example, even though a capsule may contain 30mg of 'iron amino acid chelate', the actual amount of elemental iron in it will be much less.

Iron supplements can sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems and constipation but this usually settles over time or through a gradual increase in iron supplementation. Iron comes in different forms with some types being better absorbed and tolerated than others. Recommended forms are amino acid chelate, picolinate, citrate, gluconate, and ascorbate. Studies also show that taking vitamin C with iron can improve iron absorption.

Iron supplementation can take months for stores to increase and will be ineffective if the cause is not identified and treated. It is also crucial to take sufficient levels in order to increase iron stores.

• Intramuscular iron injections. These are really no better than oral iron supplementation and can be painful often leading to skin staining (rust marks) from the iron deposits.

• Intravenous iron infusion. Iron can be given intravenously (directly through the vein) to replace iron in the body. Iron is delivered through an intravenous drip over 4 to 6 hours. Iron infusion has the advantage of rapidly (a matter of hours) delivering all the iron required to regenerate haemoglobin and red cell numbers. It also provides plenty of additional iron to store up for use in coming months to years. Iron infusion also has the advantage of avoiding the gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral iron supplementation and is not influenced by a person's digestive capacity. The disadvantages include the possible appearance of flu-like symptoms for 2-3 days after iron delivery and the need for day admission in a hospital or blood clinic. Although uncommon, it can also result in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis for some people (such reactions are carefully monitored by trained medical staff throughout the infusion process).

This page provides information on iron deficiency treatment and diagnosis. Iron deficiency is associated with poorer mental health and often requires intervention. If you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of iron deficiency and/or mental health problems please seek appropriate support from a knowledgeable and proficient mental & natural health practitioner.

For information about the iron deficiency symptoms and good food sources of iron, click here

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