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Question: "How to increase hemoglobin?" worries people who are faced with anemia. Anemia is a persistent, pathological decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood below normal limits.

It should be understood that the diagnosis of anemia is established on the basis of a laboratory analysis that reveals a decrease in hemoglobin concentration below normal for several times in a row. Typically, blood is donated 3–4 times every 4–7 days, and if each test reveals a decrease in hemoglobin concentration, a diagnosis of anemia is made. If a low hemoglobin concentration is detected in only one blood sample, and is normal in the rest, then we are talking about a functional disorder, not anemia.

Anemia can be combined with a reduced or normal number of red blood cells. That is, a low hemoglobin concentration is a mandatory symptom of anemia, and a decrease in the total number of red blood cells may or may not be present.

According to modern concepts, anemia is a pathological syndrome, and not an independent disease. Therefore, to treat it, it is necessary to find out the cause of the pathological decrease in hemoglobin concentration. You can begin treatment for anemia only after finding out the cause of its development, since the general treatment method depends on this.

The fact is that in addition to increasing hemoglobin with the help of various drugs, for successful treatment of anemia it is also necessary to eliminate the causative factor. It is the combination of methods aimed at increasing hemoglobin and eliminating the cause of anemia that is called complex treatment of the syndrome. After all, if the cause is not eliminated, then, despite the treatment to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood, anemia will periodically return again, that is, recur.

However, in addition to eliminating the cause of anemia, the rest of the methods for increasing hemoglobin concentration are completely the same for different varieties of this pathological syndrome. Therefore, we will consider ways to increase hemoglobin that are suitable for any type of anemia. But when applying these methods, it should be remembered that they must be supplemented with treatment aimed at eliminating the causative factor of anemia.

Clinical classification of anemia - which types require an increase in hemoglobin

The entire set of anemias, depending on the causative factor, is divided into four large categories:
1. Deficiency anemia associated with a lack or disturbances in the metabolism and utilization of iron, vitamins and other substances necessary for the process of hematopoiesis;
2. Posthemorrhagic anemia caused by blood loss as a result of acute or chronic bleeding;
3. Hemolytic anemia associated with increased destruction of red blood cells, caused either by hereditary diseases or the influence of negative factors, such as poisons, poisoning, radiation, long walking, etc.;
4. Hypoplastic anemia associated with bone marrow dysfunction.

Currently, the majority of anemias (from 80% to 85%) occurring in people belong to the class scarce. This group includes anemia caused by a deficiency of iron, vitamins B12, C and folic acid, copper and proteins necessary for the formation of heme. In addition, deficient ones include anemia that occurs against the background of severe chronic diseases of various organs and systems that impair metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. Thus, deficiency anemia can be provoked by chronic pathologies of the kidneys or liver, any long-term infectious or inflammatory disease, hypothyroidism, malignant tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus and some other pathological processes.

The second place in frequency of occurrence is shared by posthemorrhagic and hemolytic anemia. Posthemorrhagic may be caused by immediate large blood loss resulting from injury, stroke, surgery or other action associated with vascular damage. Also, posthemorrhagic anemia can be triggered by chronic, long-term blood loss, for example, with bleeding from internal organs, heavy menstruation, etc.

Hemolytic anemia always associated with some factor causing rapid destruction of red blood cells. There is a small group of hereditary hemolytic anemias (for example, sickle cell, thalassemia, etc.), which are associated with a breakdown of the genetic apparatus and are passed on from generation to generation within the family. Such hereditary hemolytic anemias are rarely diagnosed and are treated only by a hematologist. However, in addition to hereditary ones, there are also acquired hemolytic anemias, which, as a rule, are provoked by exposure to some toxic factor, for example, salts of heavy metals, venoms of snakes, insects, mushrooms, etc., as well as long walking (marching anemia), alcohol poisoning , acids, alkalis, etc.

Hypoplastic anemia associated with impaired production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Such anemias are severe, develop under the influence of various factors that damage the hematopoietic organs, and require serious replacement therapy, including bone marrow transplantation.

All types of anemia, with the exception of hypoplastic ones, require, as a complex therapy, an increase in hemoglobin in the blood and elimination of the causative factor. Eliminating the cause for posthemorrhagic anemia is to stop bleeding; for hemolytic anemia, it is to remove the factor that caused the breakdown of red blood cells; and for deficient anemia, it is to compensate for the lack of vitamins and microelements necessary for the production of hemoglobin. And the method of increasing hemoglobin for all of these types of anemia is the same and consists of stimulating hematopoiesis. Let's consider the general rules for increasing hemoglobin in various anemias.

How to increase hemoglobin - general rules

If hemoglobin has dropped below 60 mg/ml, then you should be hospitalized in a hospital for emergency measures to combat anemia. In such situations, doctors resort to blood transfusions, blood substitutes or red blood cells to increase the concentration of hemoglobin. After hemoglobin reaches 80 - 90 mg/ml, the transfusion of blood or its substitutes is stopped and the person is transferred to taking various medications that promote accelerated synthesis of red blood cells and heme, and, accordingly, eliminate anemia.

In all other cases, increasing the level of hemoglobin in the blood is done at home by following a diet and taking various medications that replenish the body's need for microelements and vitamins necessary for hematopoiesis.

The general scheme for increasing hemoglobin in various types of anemia is as follows:
1. Medical nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals;
2. Taking iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements;
3. Treatment of existing chronic diseases.

Therapeutic nutrition for anemia is a daily menu containing foods rich in various minerals and vitamins, primarily iron, copper and B vitamins, especially B 12 and folic acid. The menu must include red meat (veal and beef), meat by-products (liver), legumes (beans, soybeans, lentils, peas, beans, etc.), dried fruits (raisins, prunes, dried apricots), herbs (spinach, parsley) , pomegranates, buckwheat porridge and whole grain bread. Daily consumption of these foods for anemia is mandatory, since they contain various microelements and vitamins necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin, and therefore help increase its level in the blood. However, unfortunately, a therapeutic diet alone will not help increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood within an acceptable time frame (within 3 to 6 months), and therefore, in combination with it, a person must take iron, folic acid and cyanocobalamin supplements.

When following a special therapeutic diet, it is recommended to combine foods rich in iron compounds with vitamin C, since the latter improves the absorption and assimilation of iron. That is, it is optimal to drink buckwheat porridge with orange juice, and a cutlet with lemon or tomato juice, etc. Since black tea reduces the absorption of iron from the intestines, it is recommended to either exclude it from the menu completely or drink it an hour before or after a meal. It is not recommended to use animal liver every day to increase hemoglobin, since in addition to iron it contains large amounts of vitamins A and D, which can cause an overdose. Doctors believe that it is optimal to consume liver 1–2 times a week as part of a therapeutic diet aimed at increasing hemoglobin. Such a well-known product as pomegranate juice really does an excellent job of increasing hemoglobin, but at the same time increases the risk of developing constipation, which should be kept in mind when including this product in your menu.

That is why, to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood, it is necessary to take medications with iron, folic acid and cyanocobalamin. Moreover, it is recommended to take cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12), folic acid (vitamin B c or B 9), and iron supplements for the fastest and most effective increase in the level of hemoglobin in the blood during the first 25 days. Then the intake of cyanocobalamin and folic acid is stopped and only iron supplements are left, which must be taken for 3 to 6 months. Depending on the severity of anemia and the speed of its correction, the doctor can select the optimal iron supplements, both in tablets and in the form of intravenous or intramuscular injections. In principle, doctors usually prescribe several injections of iron supplements to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood as quickly as possible, followed by switching to taking tablet forms of the drug for a long period of time (at least three months).

How to increase hemoglobin at home

At home, you can increase hemoglobin in two ways - the first is taking iron, folic acid and cyanocobalamin supplements, and the second is therapeutic enhanced nutrition, which includes products containing elements and vitamins necessary for hematopoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis.

Nutritional therapy is a completely possible way to increase hemoglobin at home, but it takes a very long time. It should be understood that the absorption of iron from food is no more than 3 - 5 mg per day, and therefore it will take a fairly long period of time to increase hemoglobin only with medical nutrition - at least 8 - 12 months.

From the point of view of modern methods, increasing hemoglobin only with therapeutic nutrition is irrational, since it takes too much time. That is why, in order to successfully and relatively quickly increase hemoglobin (within 3–6 months) at home, it is recommended, along with a therapeutic diet, to take tablet forms of medications containing iron. Currently, there is a wide range of different medications containing iron compounds, from which you can choose the best drug for yourself and take it according to the instructions at home for 3 to 6 months.

Unfortunately, there are no other “folk” methods for increasing hemoglobin at home. All miraculous recipes for decoctions and numerous potions are, in fact, just options for therapeutic nutrition, which, of course, increases hemoglobin in the blood, but does this for a very long time.

Foods that increase hemoglobin

All foods that increase hemoglobin

Foods containing large amounts of iron, copper, folic acid and cyanocobalamin can increase hemoglobin levels. These products include the following:

• Pistachios (60 mg);
• Pomegranate (40 – 50 mg);
• Dried mushrooms (30 – 35 mg);
• Boiled mussels or other shellfish (25 – 30 mg);
• Wheat bran (18 – 20 mg);
• Pork liver (18 – 20 mg);
• Brewer's yeast (16 – 19 mg of iron per 100 g of product);
• Sea kale (15 – 17 mg);
• Cocoa (12 – 14 mg);
• Spinach (12 – 14 mg);
• Lentils (11 – 13 mg);
• Veal or beef liver (9 – 11 mg);
• Peas (7 – 10 mg);
• Buckwheat (7 – 8 mg);
• Barley groats (7 – 8 mg);
• Egg yolk (6 – 8 mg);
• Heart (6 – 7 mg);
• Oatmeal (5 – 7 mg);
• Beans (5–6 mg);
• Peanuts (5 – 6 mg);
• Fresh mushrooms (5 – 6 mg);
• Beef tongue (5 – 6 mg);
• Rabbit meat (4 – 5 mg);
• Dogwood (4 – 5 mg);
• Almonds (4 – 5 mg);
• Peaches (4 – 4.5 mg);
• Turkey meat (3 – 5 mg);
• Cashews (3 – 5 mg);
• Wheat flour (3 – 3.5 mg);
• Walnut (2.8 – 3.0 mg);
• Pine nut (2.8 – 3.2 mg);
• Apricots (2.0 – 2.6 mg);
• Persimmon (2.5 mg);
• Apples (0.5 – 2.2 mg);
• Raspberries (1.6 – 1.8);
• Beetroot (1.0 – 1.4 mg);
• Boiled broccoli (1.0 – 1.2 mg);
• Pasta (1.0 – 1.2 mg);
• Semolina (1.0 – 1.2 mg);
• Honey (0.9 – 1.0 mg);
• Carrots (0.7 – 1.2 mg);
• Potatoes (0.8 – 1.0 mg);
• Prunes (0.9 – 1.3 mg);
• Dried apricots (0.96 – 1.4 mg);
• Corn (0.8 – 1.0 mg);
• Bananas (0.7 – 0.8 mg);
• Fried chicken (0.7 – 0.8 mg);
• Tomatoes (0.6 – 0.7 mg);
• Salad (0.5 – 0.6 mg);
• Egg white (0.2 – 0.3 mg);
• Pears (0.1 – 1.2 mg).

The above foods contain the maximum amount of iron. In addition to those listed, relatively large amounts of iron are found in vegetables and legumes (for example, onions, turnip tops, radishes, mustard, carrots, lettuce, parsley, dandelion leaf, nettle, sorrel, green peas, tomatoes, cabbage, garlic, lentils, horseradish, beans, cucumbers). In addition, relatively large amounts of iron are found in the following fruits and berries - currants, apples, plums, peaches and apricots.

You should know that iron in fruits and vegetables is in a poorly digestible form, so even consuming them in large quantities does not provide the body with a sufficient amount of this element, and therefore does not increase hemoglobin. Iron in a highly digestible form is found only in products of animal origin (with the exception of eggs), so they must be included in the diet in order to increase the concentration of hemoglobin.

Fruits that increase hemoglobin

Fruits that increase hemoglobin are those with the maximum content of iron compounds, folic acid and cyanocobalamin. Therefore, fruits and berries that increase hemoglobin include the following:

• Apricots;
• Bananas;
• Cherry;
• Pomegranate;
• Pears;
• Dogwood;
• Dried apricots;
• Peaches;
• Plums;
• Currant;
• Dates;
• Persimmon;
• Prunes;

The listed fruits contain relatively high amounts of iron, more than other fruits, but it is still much less than in cereals, legumes and animal products. Therefore, just eating fruits that increase hemoglobin is not enough to eliminate anemia. You should definitely eat animal products and take medications containing iron, folic acid and cyanocobalamin.

Does pomegranate increase hemoglobin?

Yes, pomegranate really does an excellent job of increasing hemoglobin in the blood, but its frequent use causes constipation. Therefore, the inclusion of pomegranate in the daily menu should be approached carefully and carefully.

Foods that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy

Foods that increase hemoglobin during pregnancy are exactly the same as for non-pregnant women, men and children. A pregnant woman can use all of them if she has no contraindications for any product.

How to increase hemoglobin quickly

There is only one way to quickly increase hemoglobin - to make several intravenous or intramuscular injections of an iron preparation in combination with folic acid and cyanocobalamin. Usually, 2–3 injections of folic acid and cyanocobalamin are sufficient, as well as 1–2 intravenous or 2–3 intramuscular injections of iron supplements. Injection of vitamins and iron can quickly increase hemoglobin levels, but in the future, to achieve a lasting effect, it is necessary to continue taking iron supplements in tablet form.

Another way to quickly increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood, used only in hospitals, is the transfusion of blood, blood substitutes or red blood cells. This method is used to quickly increase hemoglobin levels in a person who has lost a lot of blood due to injury, surgery, or bleeding.

How to increase hemoglobin during pregnancy, in infants and in children

Since infants, children and pregnant women have an increased need for microelements and vitamins, including iron, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, even with a slight deficiency in food they develop anemia. Since for pregnant women, infants and children, a deficiency of any element or vitamin, as well as anemia can be critical and negatively affect growth and development, it is necessary immediately after identifying a lack of iron in the blood to begin eliminating it and, accordingly, increasing the level of hemoglobin .

In these categories of people, the level of hemoglobin in the blood should be increased exclusively with pharmaceutical preparations of iron, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, since a lack of microelement can lead to irreversible consequences. Pregnant women and children should take iron tablets for at least six months, and folic acid and cyanocobalamin for one month. To increase hemoglobin in infants, you will have to resort to intramuscular injections of iron preparations, produced in the form of solutions. To achieve a lasting effect, approximately 25–40 injections will be required.

Eating foods rich in iron for children and pregnant women does not replace taking specialized medications, but complements them. Remember that taking iron supplements without dieting can increase hemoglobin. But just by consuming foods rich in iron, without taking medications, it is almost impossible to increase hemoglobin.

When do children have low hemoglobin, and how to increase it - video

How to increase hemoglobin with medications (general rules)

To increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood with the help of medications, you must take the following types of drugs:

• Iron preparations in tablet or injection form;
• Folic acid preparations in tablet form;
• Cyanocobalamin preparations in tablet or injection form.

Moreover, to increase hemoglobin, in the vast majority of cases, it is necessary to take iron supplements. It is only recommended to take folic acid and cyanocobalamin, but in most cases this is not necessary. It is necessary to take cyanocobalamin and folic acid only if anemia and low hemoglobin levels are caused by a deficiency of these vitamins. Moreover, in such situations, you do not need to take iron supplements to increase hemoglobin.

Selection of dosage form iron supplement(tablets or injection solution) depends on the level of hemoglobin in the blood. If the hemoglobin concentration is below 70 mg/ml, then you should start with intramuscular or intravenous administration of iron supplements. When the hemoglobin concentration rises to 90 mg/ml or more, you can switch to taking iron tablets. If anemia was detected at a hemoglobin level of 90 mg/ml or higher, then to increase it, you can immediately take iron supplements in the form of tablets or syrups. It is recommended to use iron supplements in the following dosages:

• Tablets or syrups - take 200 mg 2 - 3 times a day;
• Solutions - administered intramuscularly or intravenously at 100 - 200 mg per day.

The administration of iron solutions is usually resorted to either in cases of severe anemia, or when it is impossible to take tablets or drops (syrups). As soon as it becomes possible to take iron supplements in tablets or syrups, you should immediately switch to them and, accordingly, stop intramuscular or intravenous administration of solutions.

The total duration of taking iron supplements to increase hemoglobin is 3 – 6 months. After achieving the result (increasing hemoglobin to normal values), it is necessary to continue taking iron supplements 200 mg once a day for another 2 to 3 months to replenish the reserves of the microelement in the body. In the future, to prevent relapse of anemia, you should take iron supplements 200 mg once a day for a week at the beginning of each month for one year.

Cyanocobalamin for the treatment of B 12-deficiency anemia, 1 mg is administered intramuscularly for 6 to 7 days. However, such a high dosage of cyanocobalamin may be poorly tolerated, and therefore practitioners prefer a different, longer treatment regimen in which vitamin B 12 is administered longer, but in smaller quantities. According to this scheme, cyanocobalamin is administered intramuscularly for 1 - 3 days, 100 mcg, and then for another 25 days - 200 - 400 mcg per day. After one episode of B 12-deficiency anemia, cyanocobalamin solutions are administered intramuscularly according to one of the indicated regimens once a year for life, to prevent relapse.
Folic acid To increase hemoglobin, it is prescribed when cyanocobalamin injections are ineffective. It is recommended to take 5 mg once a day for several months. The end of treatment occurs when hemoglobin rises to normal values.

Drugs (medicines, medicines) that increase hemoglobin (list)

Currently, the domestic pharmaceutical market has a wide range of iron preparations that increase hemoglobin. These drugs are available in various dosage forms - tablets, syrups, capsules or drops for oral administration and solutions for injection. Here is a list of the most common and effective iron supplements in various dosage forms:

Problems with hemoglobin among the population of our country are quite common. Poor environment, disrupted diet, frequent stress - all this can lead to disturbances in blood formation. A decrease in hemoglobin is one of the clear indicators of a hematopoietic disorder in the human body.

The lack of hemoglobin is directly related to a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the liquid composition of the blood and in medicine has received the general name - iron deficiency anemia. The name of the pathological process itself speaks of iron deficiency in the cells of the body. This also includes a low content of vitamin B 12 and folic acid, which are the main components in the production of hemoglobin.

Methods of drug therapy for low hemoglobin

Drug therapy for low hemoglobin corresponds to the general principles of treatment of iron deficiency anemia and consists mainly of taking iron supplements. The pharmaceutical market in this area is quite saturated and offers a large selection of medicines.

• Medicines containing ferrous iron. These include the well-known sorbifer, fenotek, ferroplex and totem. These drugs are mainly used for oral administration, and only Totema can be used in hospitals and intensive care units, as it is in a form for intravenous administration.

Causes, symptoms and stages of iron deficiency anemia:

• Representatives of the ferric iron group are also widely represented in medical practice. Their most prominent representative is Ferrum Lek, marketed in our country in the form of tablets and sweet syrup. The latter form is quite popular in the treatment of low hemoglobin in children.

• Recently, the most common group of multivitamin preparations for the treatment of anemia has become, where iron supplements are used in combination with a set of vitamins. A distinctive feature of these drugs is their good absorption in the human digestive tract and a low percentage of side effects, in contrast to the first two groups. This includes various Vitrum multivitamins, Multibionta Junior and other multivitamin complexes.

The positive result of treatment with iron-containing drugs can be judged using laboratory diagnostics. Based on medical canons, after a week the level of red blood cells in red blood should increase by 70%, by the 12th day the hemoglobin level will stabilize, and two weeks after the start of drug therapy it will return to normal.

It should be remembered that any drug therapy can lead to various complications and allergic reactions, and therefore requires constant monitoring and correction by specialists. In severe and advanced cases of iron deficiency anemia, patients require hospital treatment, since monotherapy with iron supplements does not always give the desired result. Sometimes the attending physician even has to raise the question of the need for blood transfusion and its preparations. But more often than not, these dangerous complications can be avoided, and stabilization of hemoglobin levels in the blood is achieved through diet and folk remedies.

Treating anemia with diet

To create an appropriate diet, doctors usually recommend that patients consult a nutritionist. However, the general principles of nutrition with low hemoglobin remain unchanged.

When independently developing a therapeutic diet, it is necessary to take into account that the iron in our products can be of animal (blood) and plant origin. In the first case, the level of absorption in the body is 25%–40% and is 2 times higher than the digestibility of plant iron-containing products. The animal group of products includes liver and lungs, tenderloin, various types of fish, and chicken eggs. It must be remembered that heat treatment of products should be minimal; in other words, barbecue or roast beef with blood is much healthier for people with low hemoglobin than carefully stewed meat or stew.

The second group of products is also quite numerous. For a complete picture of the usefulness of products for low hemoglobin, the following data can be offered:

• 100 g of porcini mushrooms contain 30 mg of iron,
• 100 g of pork liver contains 25 mg of iron,
• 100 g of green beans corresponds to 10 mg of iron,
• 100 g of rabbit meat – 4.5 mg, and beef tenderloin – 2.8 mg,
• 100 g cocoa – 15 mg,
• 100 g of blueberries corresponds to 7.8 mg of iron.

In addition to these products, nutritionists recommend that people suffering from anemia include black bread, buckwheat porridge mixed with muesli and dried fruits, fresh apple and grape juice, greens and spinach in their daily meals. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice and the fruits themselves is extremely beneficial for patients with low hemoglobin.

Foods that help increase hemoglobin levels in the blood:

It is also necessary to constantly consume foods rich in ascorbic acid, which stimulate the saturation of blood cells with dietary iron. For this purpose, it is recommended to replace the usual tea and coffee with freshly prepared vegetable or fruit juices at the end of the meal.

However, there are foods that slow down the flow of iron into the human blood. This includes white bread, natural chocolate and coffee, dairy products, including cheese and condensed milk. Individuals prone to low hemoglobin should eliminate these foods from their diet.

Traditional medicine products and preparations

Recipes for various infusions and salads for the prevention of anemia are varied and include various components. The main negative quality of all folk remedies is the duration of use to achieve the desired effect. Here are some of them:

• Take a glass of boiled hot milk and a glass of freshly prepared carrot juice. Mix and consume 1–1.5 hours before meals.
• Rose hips are infused for 5 days, then 50 g of linden or May honey and the juice of one lemon are added to 250 g of infusion. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and used half an hour before the first meal.
• An excellent remedy is a breakfast of a mixture of buckwheat porridge, muesli and walnuts. Such a tasty and healthy start to the morning will allow you to normalize your red blood counts in 2-3 weeks.
• Do not forget about including a large number of vegetable salads from cabbage, bell pepper, and beets in your diet. Nutritionists recommend seasoning this work of culinary art with olive oil with the addition of fresh herbs and dandelion leaves.

Well, taking certain vegetables and fruits can have a positive effect on increasing hemoglobin levels. Daily consumption of plum fruits as a dessert makes it possible to stabilize the composition of the patient’s red blood within 3–4 weeks. The only obstacle in this case may be problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, unripe walnuts, a mixture of red rowan and rose hips, and an infusion of red clover heads are widely used in various herbalists. It seems interesting to prepare a collection from a mixture of St. John's wort, blackberry and pale damselfish. An infusion prepared on the basis of these components, when used regularly (5-6 times a day, 40 g), will completely normalize the hemoglobin content in the patient’s body in 15-20 days.

We must not forget about such a folk remedy as aloe. This plant is used for many diseases of the human body. Iron deficiency anemia was no exception to the rule. Aloe leaves are frozen in the freezer for a week, and then mixed using a blender with honey and lemon in the proportion of 5 aloe leaves per 300 g of honey and one lemon. The resulting mixture is recommended to be used for 25–30 days.

Iron deficiency is one of the conditions for a decrease in hemoglobin levels and the development of iron deficiency anemia. This is the state manifests itself as a decrease in the supply of iron to the bone marrow and depletion of its reserves in the blood serum and depot organs.

• micronutrient-poor diet;
• chronic blood loss through bleeding intestinal defects due to peptic ulcers, hemorrhoids;
• microelement absorption disorders;
• increasing the need for it in children and.

Read more about low hemoglobin

Medicines to replenish iron deficiency

To increase hemoglobin levels, it is necessary to eliminate iron deficiency in the blood and tissues and replenish the reserves of the microelement in the depot organs. Treatment is based on taking iron supplements and dietary supplements, and courses of vitamin therapy.

Through the gastrointestinal tract, iron is absorbed in the form of a divalent ion, which is released from its complex with lactate, sulfate or chloride contained in the preparation. Modern drugs contain trivalent ion complexes.

Advantages:

• modern medicines have high bioavailability and prolonged action;
• the oral route of iron penetration is more physiological than parenteral;
• painless appointment;
• no serious side effects;
• excluding the deposition of excess iron in organs and tissues, even if the diagnosis of “iron deficiency anemia” was established incorrectly;
• there is no risk of infection at the injection site.

Flaws:

Ask your question to a clinical laboratory diagnostics doctor

Anna Poniaeva. She graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod Medical Academy (2007-2014) and Residency in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (2014-2016).

• hemoglobin levels increase 3-4 days after the start of treatment;
• It is necessary to avoid contact of the drug with tooth enamel (with the exception of drops, syrups and capsules) to avoid its darkening.

How to increase hemoglobin is not an idle question. Although it is most often asked by people who already know why the body needs hemoglobin in the blood and what happens if low hemoglobin is diagnosed. The functions of the hemoglobin protein are worth reading for those who are not familiar with them.

In life, we often encounter a decrease in hemoglobin through external manifestations. Suddenly we discover that cracks have appeared in the corners of the mouth. Or suddenly you noticed that your hair began to grow slowly. Moreover, they break and thin out. These are the signs that we can pay attention to.

But there are signs that we perceive as simply working moments in life. And the reason actually again lies in the deviation from the norm of hemoglobin.

Symptoms to watch out for include the following:

• ease of development of viral diseases;
• causeless decrease in blood pressure;
• severe dizziness with short-term loss of consciousness when standing up suddenly
• tachycardia that has no logical cause

These symptoms are important. Of course, they can talk not only about low hemoglobin in the blood, but such manifestations, especially if they appear more than once, give reason to visit a therapist. Naturally, the therapist will write out a referral to a general doctor, which will give a picture of what is happening.

Also pay attention to “simple” symptoms that may go unnoticed:

• pale skin
• frequent headaches with accompanying dizziness
• decreased appetite
• manifestations of weakness, lethargy and increased fatigue
• increased drowsiness
• undue memory problems
• possible manifestation of leg cramps

These symptoms are more like “everyday” ones, which no one pays attention to in the turmoil. However, the regular occurrence of the described manifestations should not be ignored if you want to maintain health for a long time.

The human body is a complex system in which all processes are regulated. The symptoms described do not appear suddenly. Small changes that develop gradually can eventually be perceived as normal.

Attention! Reduced hemoglobin in the blood, if not brought back to normal, can gradually produce even irreversible changes in the body. This ending is scary.

Note that when the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, the first blow falls on the brain, as the most important consumer of oxygen. Secondly, the nervous and immune systems begin to suffer. And these are the most important components of the body.

What is anemia

If the results of a general blood test that you took at the direction of your therapist really showed low hemoglobin, you need to understand that you have been diagnosed with anemia. Yes, this is what was previously called the condition that is now called anemia.

Why a condition and not a disease? In the medical community, low hemoglobin is considered to be a set of symptoms, which is ultimately understood as a syndrome. The syndrome is precisely a complex of interconnected signs (symptoms).

This is bad? Yes, because behind every syndrome there is a disease. Anemia may simply be due to iron deficiency, or it may be bleeding. Although sometimes there is a hereditary reason. But most often anemia is characterized by an iron deficiency state. Here it is important to identify the cause in order to understand how to raise hemoglobin to normal.

In fact, anemia has its own classification, in which iron deficiency anemia has the most common statistics.

Causes of low hemoglobin in the blood

Let us recall that the norm of hemoglobin in men is 125-145 g/l (although currently considered the norm is 140-160 g/l), and in women 115-135 g/l.

Reduced hemoglobin can be counted as a problem situation only if the decrease is not a daily change. That is, if the recorded decrease will be observed for several days. The best way out in this situation is to contact a specialized doctor - a hematologist. A comprehensive examination prescribed by a hematologist will show the cause of the decrease.

The main reasons for the decrease in level, which are not associated with gender differences, include the following:

• deficiency of iron, which is involved in oxygen transport in the body
• acute conditions of hemorrhoids
• deterioration in food quality
• vitamin B12 deficiency
• severe bleeding during operations (especially abdominal ones)
• blood diseases (for example, leukemia)
• disruption of the absorption of iron in the intestines.

It is believed that the following diseases that have already been diagnosed can develop iron deficiency:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases in which chronic blood loss is observed:
   • stomach ulcer, as well as duodenal ulcer;
   • ulcerative colitis;
   • haemorrhoids;
   • diverticulosis;
   • oncological neoplasms.
2. Liver diseases, most often cirrhosis.
3. Kidney diseases:
   • urolithiasis disease;
   • alcoholic nephropathy;
   • kidney cancer
4. Helminthic infestations.
5. Severe infectious diseases.

If you have these diagnoses, you should pay special attention to the issue of bringing hemoglobin to normal.

Reduced hemoglobin in women

The female body has additional reasons:

• heavy periods
• childbirth, abortion, accompanied by large loss of blood
• uterine bleeding
• diets for weight loss

You should also consider diseases of the reproductive system that add low hemoglobin to the medical history:

• ovarian dysfunction;
• endometriosis;
• uterine fibroids;
• cancer of the cervix, as well as the body of the uterus.

How to increase hemoglobin in the blood quickly

The subtitle contains the keyword “fast”. The question is, why? The fact is that long-term anemia in any case causes harm to the body and not every body will be able to cope with this harm, that is, to fully recover. This is especially true for organisms weakened by disease, or aged people with weakened body functions.

Important. The longer the low hemoglobin persists, the more difficult it will be to restore health and get rid of diseases.

To effectively bring hemoglobin to normal, you need to understand some subtleties. Of course, the most natural way is to adjust your diet. Many sources of information will convince you that it is enough to include iron-containing foods in your diet. However, everything is not so simple.

First of all, you need to know that the products that are proposed to be included in the menu contain so-called heme and non-heme iron. Without delving into the chemical subtleties, we note that heme iron is absorbed easily and quite quickly, but with non-heme iron it is not so simple - it must first be converted into heme iron and after that it will be absorbed.

Have you ever wondered why the phrase “balanced” nutrition is often used? But precisely because of the impact of some products on others (more precisely, the components of the products). For example, non-heme iron is converted into heme iron, that is, easily absorbed in the presence of vitamin C (a universal vitamin that saves, for example, from scurvy). This vitamin can be found in decent quantities, for example, in a mixture of beetroot and carrot juice, which you can use to wash down your traditional food. Orange or grapefruit juices also work well.

What about fresh herbs for the table? In addition to the fact that it itself is a carrier of vitamins, it is the substances found in greens that help in the processing of basic protein foods. This must be taken into account.

Let's return to the rapid increase in hemoglobin. Use meat in your diet. It contains heme iron. However, not everything is simple here either.

Important! In order for the process of iron absorption to be fast and as complete as possible (in this case, absorption of 20–30 percent would be considered a good result), meat should be cooked with minimal heat treatment so that the iron remains in maximum quantity.

To preserve iron, you can cook meat in the form of a kebab or chop, but not cutlets or goulash.

To be fair, we note that not all people can eat a lot of kebab, and even every day until the norm is restored. And where is the way out then? You can turn to traditional medicine, for example, nettle, parsley and dill, which can help.

Yes, ordinary large-leaved stinging nettle has been known for a very long time for its composition. It was nettle that was used by healers for centuries to treat anemia. Moreover, during the season, nettle may well become a replacement for synthetic iron medications. It is important to use freshly picked leaves and stems of young nettles, which must be collected before flowering.

Rinse the collected nettles thoroughly, squeeze out the juice, strain it and take a tablespoon three times a day. The juice is not tasty, so you can add a little honey. The prepared portion of juice will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

Parsley and dill can now be found in the grocery store year-round. So, one hundred grams of parsley contains 5 mg of iron, and one hundred grams of dill contains 7 mg. There are stories when long-term treatment for anemia (anemia) did not produce results, and switching to daily consumption of a bunch of greens for several weeks brought the hemoglobin content back to normal.

Nutritional rules to increase hemoglobin

A rapid increase in hemoglobin should not become the norm in nutrition. At any age, you should strive for a varied diet, but there are subtleties in maintaining hemoglobin levels. It is especially important to understand (or at least know) the interaction of products consumed at the same time. Since we are considering iron-containing products, we are also considering the interaction in relation to these products.

Important. There are foods that can help the body absorb iron (these are iron synergists), and there are foods that will interfere with absorption (these are antagonists).

Synergists include the juices mentioned above (orange and grapefruit), and most citrus fruits. Therefore, it is advisable to eat iron-containing foods (the list can be found on the Internet), and it is important to supplement the food with juice or citrus fruits to absorb iron. In this case, you can be sure that iron will be absorbed in the maximum possible amount.

We especially note the microelement calcium. Yes, this trace element helps the absorption of iron, but in the case of very large doses, calcium becomes an antagonist and begins to interfere with absorption. This should be remembered. As an example, my favorite buckwheat with milk. It is in this combination that the benefit from the dish can only be obtained in the form of taste sensations. It would be more correct to eat buckwheat with its iron separately.

Coffee and tea (black and green) also do not promote iron absorption. It is better to drink these drinks a couple of hours after the main meal. Although it is advisable to drink real green tea in other therapies (for example, for oncology) more than once a day, you should not mix the process of increasing hemoglobin with the same oncological therapy.

Attention! If you have low acidity of gastric juice (for example, you have been taking antacids such as Zantac or Tagamet for a long time), then you should expect that the absorption of iron from food will be greatly reduced and it will not be possible to increase hemoglobin within the expected time frame.

Iron in food

If you do not take iron-containing synthetic drugs, then iron can only be obtained from food. The average daily requirement for iron in women is considered to be 15 mg, and for men this figure is slightly less – 10 mg.

In the first place among the recommended iron-containing products are: meat and meat by-products. The older generation remembers that doctors have long recommended that in case of anemia, eat the tongue, liver, and heart, which quickly restored the hemoglobin level. It’s good to have fish and eggs in your diet at least sometimes (although eggs are questionable - you shouldn’t abuse them).

The situation is worse with the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. This is due to the fact that they contain iron in non-heme form. Keep in mind that, for example, popular apples significantly lose both vitamin C and iron during storage. Losses can be up to 70 – 80%. That is, you expect a positive effect, but there is none.

Vegetables you can pay attention to are beets, celery, and turnips. To make the iron available for absorption, it is recommended to add greens and bell peppers, which contain a lot of vitamin C.

Important! Soy products (for example, Tofu cheese), as well as those containing soy flour (sausage, sausages), exclude the absorption of iron. These are the strongest antagonists.

Iron supplements

There are times in life when low hemoglobin, especially after certain operations, cannot be corrected by any changes in diet. You should not have any illusions about the omnipotence of natural methods and should include medicinal iron-containing preparations in your therapy.

Most often, the proposed preparations contain heme (ferrous) iron, which is quite easily absorbed. However, as we discussed above, it is still better to supplement such preparations with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for more complete absorption.

Naturally, you should not self-medicate with iron-containing drugs - this is the prerogative of at least a therapist or, better yet, a hematologist. The doctor will select the daily dose based on objective indicators (based on the results of a general blood test). You should keep in mind the possible intolerance of a particular drug for you personally. In this case, the doctor will suggest switching to another drug.

Here is a sample list of drugs for oral use:

• feramide
• ferrocerone
• ferroplex
• hemostimulin
• ferrogrademet
• ferrocal

For intramuscular injections use:

• ferrum lek
• ferbitol
• ectophere

The list of medications is far from complete - ask your doctor.

While using iron supplements, you still need to change your eating style. At least for the time of bringing the hemoglobin content to normal.

When the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, a person develops iron deficiency, which is dangerous due to a number of symptoms. That is why various iron preparations are indicated for low hemoglobin in adults, which can be taken in the form of tablets, suspensions and injections. With the help of hemoglobin, the body is saturated with oxygen, that is, oxygen is transported from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide is removed.

Iron deficiency develops with a decrease in hemoglobin

In general, hemoglobin is a complex element consisting of a protein structure and iron itself, and it is found in red blood cells. If there is a decrease in the level of iron in the bone marrow, then its reserves in the blood itself and depot organs, that is, the spleen, liver and skin, which begin to suffer, decrease. With anemia, attacks of shortness of breath occur, and sleep is often disturbed.

If the diet is not followed, during an exacerbation of chronic diseases or after injuries, iron deficiency anemia can develop, which, in turn, leads to the development of more serious conditions. When prescribing medications for low iron levels in the blood, you need to remember that there are differences for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. That is why preparations in the form of di- and trivalent iron are presented on the market. To detect anemia, you need to take a blood test. Let's look at the common drugs in this group of drugs, their features and contraindications.

Reasons for decreased hemoglobin

There are a number of reasons for which anemia develops. A slight decrease in hemoglobin levels most often occurs due to malnutrition, when a person consumes little of the following foods:

• meat;
• dairy products;
• fresh vegetables and fruits.

Vegetarians and people on a strict diet often suffer from anemia. A woman experiences temporary phenomena when the iron content in her blood decreases - during her period, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding a child.

Women may experience low levels of iron in their blood during pregnancy.

Important! Normally, the hemoglobin content in an adult is in the range of 130-160 g/l in men and 120-140 m/l in women. If a blood test reveals abnormalities, a comprehensive examination of the body should be performed.

Iron deficiency anemia is often the first sign of the presence of a neoplasm in the human body. Most often, along with decreased hemoglobin in such cases, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) increases and leukocytosis (increased white blood cell level) is observed. A decrease in hemoglobin levels is observed after operations, after injuries, especially with open fractures and injuries to internal organs.

If anemia develops, then you need to suspect diseases associated with the appearance of internal bleeding, as happens with the duodenum, with blood diseases, with. Rarer causes include the presence of infectious diseases.

There are 4 types of anemia:

1. The hemolytic type of anemia is associated with the destruction of hemoglobin cells by red blood cells. This condition is often associated with taking certain medications or with cancer and infectious diseases.
2. The aplastic type of anemia is associated with a decrease in the functioning of cells located in the bone marrow. This form of pathology is caused by infections and intoxication with chemicals.
3. The iron deficiency type of anemia is associated with a lack of iron itself, which occurs during pregnancy, during breastfeeding and during blood loss.
4. B-12 deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B-12 and folic acid in the body. The causes are similar to the iron deficiency type of anemia, in addition, the condition develops in people who do not follow a diet.

Only a doctor can identify the exact type of pathology, so you cannot engage in self-diagnosis and, especially, self-medication. Let's consider what symptoms predominate in anemia.

Signs of anemia

The first signs of iron deficiency anemia are a state of hypotension, that is, the appearance of weakness, fatigue and discoloration of the skin. The skin becomes pale and collapsed veins are visible. In some cases, the skin peels and becomes dry. A person suffers from attacks of dizziness, his performance decreases, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat appear.

A decrease is often observed. External signs include deterioration in the quality of hair and nails and delamination of nail plates. Each person's symptoms manifest themselves individually.

Note! If you do not start treating anemia in a timely manner, it threatens the appearance of fainting, and there is also a disruption in the functioning of the taste and olfactory receptors.

It is the decrease in performance and low performance that should be a signal to visit a doctor and take a blood test. After the research, the doctor will select the optimal course of therapy, which necessarily includes iron supplements, which we will discuss below.

Products for internal use

Most often, patients with mild to moderate anemia are prescribed oral medications, that is, tablet forms, syrups, capsules. These drugs include divalent iron, released from lactate, sulfate or chloride, which are additionally contained in the drugs. There are also more modern products in the form of ferric iron, which are considered prolonged and have high bioavailability.

There are a number of advantages to taking medications internally:

• natural supply of iron, since absorption occurs directly in the gastrointestinal tract;
• painless introduction;
• a minimum of such actions;
• low risk of overdose and excessive iron deposition in the body.

There are also disadvantages to taking medications this way. It takes several days for the drugs to start working, and in emergency situations this is too long. In addition, many products negatively affect tooth enamel.

Important! That is why, in order to avoid damage to tooth enamel and changes in its color, it is better to use syrups and drops.

Old generation drugs include taking Gemostimulin, Ferrocal, Ferroplex, Hemofer and Ferrocetone. These drugs are prescribed infrequently, but have low prices compared to ferric iron.

Modern preparations with ferrous iron

Among modern products for oral administration, one can highlight Heferol, which contains divalent iron ions and fumaric acid. The drug is contraindicated for non-iron deficiency anemia, neoplasms in the body, peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease.

A drug similar in indications and action is Tardiferon, which contains 80 milligrams of iron, supplemented with ascorbic acid and iron mucoprotease. This composition protects the gastric mucosa. One of the advantages of the medicine is its price.

A combined preparation based on ferrous iron is Sorbifer, which contains iron (100 mg) and ascorbic acid (60 mg). The main contraindication for use is age under 12 years. Similar drugs include Totem, Ferretab, Fenyuls.

Modern preparations with ferric iron

Ferrum Lek is considered a popular modern remedy, available in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration and in the form of tablets and syrup. The drug is quickly absorbed in the body and allows you to treat all types of anemia, except non-iron deficiency. It is contraindicated in case of incompatibility and excess of iron in the body, therefore it cannot be prescribed without special blood tests.

Ferrum Lek is a popular modern remedy for iron deficiency anemia

Monopreparations with ferric iron include Fenyuls, produced in the form of drops and syrup, as well as Malfofer (syrup). From this group there are also combined products, such as Biofer. It contains polymaltose hydroxide and folic acid. Available in tablet form.

One of the disadvantages of this group of drugs is their high cost. If a person has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then it is necessary to prescribe drugs for parenteral administration, that is, intramuscularly.

Preparations for parenteral administration

Medicines in this group have undoubted advantages. Among the advantages, one can note the rapid replenishment of iron in the body. This is necessary when a person is about to undergo surgery and his hemoglobin level is low. Also, drugs for intramuscular or intravenous administration are prescribed to people with gastrointestinal problems or intolerance to drugs for internal use.

There are also disadvantages to this type of drug administration:

• painful injection;
• rapid absorption leads to the development of allergic reactions;
• darkening of the skin at the injection site;
• post-injection complications such as abscess, phlebitis, infiltrate;
• high risk of iron oversaturation of depot organs, i.e. liver, skin.

Common remedies include the use of Venofer, which contains ferric iron. It is important to administer this medication through an IV, which allows you to quickly replenish your iron supply. Side effects include attacks of nausea, swelling of the legs, the risk of cramps and bowel dysfunction. An analogue of Venofer is Cosmofer, which also contains ferric iron. Available in the form of a solution for both intramuscular and intravenous administration.

From this group we can note such products as Ferinject, Zhektofer, Ferkoven and Ferbitol. These drugs are prescribed strictly by a doctor and when using them you need to have regular blood tests. As soon as the hemoglobin level rises to a minimum level, it will be necessary to discontinue the drug so as not to lead to oversaturation of the body.

Recently, the market has been dominated by a large number of dietary supplements and vitamin complexes that contain iron. These remedies are aimed at preventing rather than treating anemia. In any case, the treatment of anemia is the direction of doctors, so if there are signs of such a disease or there are indications for taking drugs to increase hemoglobin levels, then you need to visit the hospital.