How to Take Iron Supplements Before Surgery
Iron supplements are sometimes recommended to be taken before a surgery because of its ability to help in the healing process. If you are planning on having surgery soon, talk to your doctor to see if an iron supplement is right for you.
- Discuss taking an iron supplement with your doctor. You will want to make sure that you are healthy enough to take a supplement and also that extra iron will not interfere with other medications that you are already taking. Your doctor may suggest that you take a blood test to see how much iron is in your blood so make sure you do this before you start your supplement.
- Purchase an iron supplement at the store in an amount that is appropriate for your needs. These supplements can be found at your local drug store or pharmacy and are offered in a variety of different brands. Usually, iron supplements that are taken before surgery are recommended at a dosage of 65 mg so look for a brand that offers this dosage.
- Take your iron supplement daily with a full glass of water and shortly after you have eaten a meal. Supplements that are taken on an empty stomach can cause intestinal and stomach problems.
- Take your supplement everyday up until the day of your surgery. Iron that is taken everyday will help with overall iron levels in your blood stream. Make sure that you take your supplement around the same time every day as well to ensure that you are not taking too much iron in a 24-hour period.