What is the typical prescription for treating iron deficiency anemia with a hemoglobin level below 100?

The typical prescription for treating iron deficiency anemia, particularly when the hemoglobin level is below 100 g/L, is high-dose iron. This approach is necessary because significant iron deficiency often occurs at this level of anemia, and higher amounts of iron are needed to effectively replenish bodily iron stores and allow for the production of hemoglobin.

Iron plays a critical role in the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When hemoglobin levels are significantly low, as indicated here, higher doses of iron supplements are utilized to accelerate recovery and improve hemoglobin levels quickly.

While low-dose iron may be appropriate for mild deficiencies or as a long-term maintenance therapy, it generally does not provide sufficient iron to address more severe deficiency. Multivitamins and folic acid supplements can be beneficial in supporting overall health or if there are concurrent deficiencies, but they are not the primary treatment for iron deficiency anemia specifically. Hence, high-dose iron is the standard recommendation in this context.