Iron deficiency and iron therapy

Iron is essential for the body to make haemoglobin (Hb), a pigment that makes red blood cells red and carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body

Low iron levels (iron deficiency) in the body can cause low haemoglobin levels. Conversely, too much iron in the body can lead to iron overload (haemochromatosis) and cause damage in adults.

Iron deficiency is a much more common problem than iron overload.

There is further information below about iron deficiency and its treatment, including a range of fact sheets in languages other than English.

Iron deficiency

If your iron levels are currently low, or you are at risk of having low levels in the future, your doctor may advise you to increase your iron intake through food or prescribe iron therapy.

Causes of iron deficiency include:

  • blood loss, for example from heavy periods or gastrointestinal conditions or disease (eg an ulcer, a colon polyp or even bowel cancer)
  • not enough iron in the diet
  • poor absorption of iron in the diet, for example in untreated coeliac disease or after obesity surgery
  • increased demand for iron, for example in pregnancy or during rapid growth in children.

Often there is more than one cause. More information is available in the resources and links below.

Iron deficiency fact sheets

This fact sheet provides general information about iron for patients, families and carers (PDF166KB).

It is also available in the languages below:

Treatment options

Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

  • Iron tablets/liquids
  • Iron infusions

Iron tablets/liquids

Your doctor may recommend that you take iron tablets/liquids as they are a safe, effective and easy way to increase your iron levels.

Ask your doctor how long you need to take them for, and re-check your levels once the cause of your low iron levels has been determined.

Read the guide to taking iron tablets (PDF 121KB) to help explain:

  • why iron tablets are important
  • how they work
  • effective ways to take iron tablets
  • how to reduce any side effects.

This guide is also available in other languages. Please read the consumer fact sheets section to find the guide in your language.

Taking iron tablets fact sheets

This fact sheet is a guide to taking iron tablets for patients, families and carers (PDF 121KB).

It is also available in the languages below:

Iron infusions

Your doctor may recommend that you have an “Intravenous” or “IV” iron infusion. This means giving iron (a brown liquid) directly into the blood stream of the body through a vein. A needle is placed into a vein (usually in the back of the hand or arm) and attached to a drip. This brown fluid is slowly “dripped” (infused) into the vein and mixes with the blood in your body.

Read the Intravenous (IV) iron infusions fact sheet (PDF 108KB) to answer some common questions about IV iron infusions, including how the therapy is given, why you might need IV iron and its risks and benefits.

This guide is also available in languages other than English. Please read the fact sheets section to find the guide in your language.

Receiving iron infusions fact sheets

This fact sheet includes general information about intravenous (IV) iron infusions for patients, families and carers (PDF 108KB).
It should be read along with the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet specific for the type of IV iron being used in your case. Ask your doctor for a copy, as well as for information and risks specific to your situation.

The general fact sheet is also available in other languages below:

Further information

For more information about increasing your iron intake through food, please refer to the Nutrition Australia website.