Overcoming anemia in young females

I'm writing this post in response to many problems brought to my attention.

When girls have their menses, there is a tendency that they get anemic. Anemia takes a slow course before it manifests as tiredness (letih), fatigue (lesu) and movement becomes slow. When anemia manifests in this way, this is already extreme and an immediate measure needs to be taken.

What I normally tell my first-year female students is to go to the Staff Clinic at HUSM and request for anemia workup, and to ask for hematinics.

Actually it is better to take measures to avoid becoming anemic. Life feels so much better when the body is not anemic.

Young female students can take iron supplements and avoid becoming anemic (ie avoid feeling tired, fatigued and having less energy for normal movements).

Iron supplements come in basically 2 forms - chewable tablets and film tablets which are to be swallowed.

Below are some of the iron sources which can be taken to avoid from becoming anemic.


SAFERON

Saferon is a delicious chocolate flavoured uncoated chewable hematinic tablet containing iron(III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex equivalent to elemental iron (100 mg) and folic acid BP (500 mcg). Indications: Treatment of latent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Prevention of iron and folic acid deficiency before, during and after pregnancy (during lactation). For prophylactic therapy of iron deficiency to cover the recommended daily dietary allowances (RDA) during pregnancy and lactation. Dosage and Administration: Dosage and duration of therapy are dependent upon the extent of iron deficiency. The daily dose can be divided into separate doses or can be taken at one time. Saferon chewable tablets can be chewed or swallowed whole and should be taken during or immediately after a meal. In case of manifest iron deficiency the therapy takes 3-5 months until a normalisation of the hemoglobin value is achieved. Afterwards the therapy should be continued for several weeks with a dosage such as described for latent iron deficiency to replenish the iron stores.

Manifestation of iron deficiency: 1-3 Saferon tablets daily

Latent iron deficiency: 1 Saferon tablet daily

Saferon strip of 10 tablets each. Comes in a box of 3 strips.

Manufacturer:
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Plot No E-37, 39, MIDC Area, Satpur, Nasik - 422 007, Maharashtra, India.

OBIMIN

New Obimin is a film tablet, vitamins and mineral supplements meant for pregnant and lactating women but is safe for young menstruating females.

Each bottle contains 30 film tablets.

Dosage - Adult: One tablet daily or as prescribed by the physician.

A bottle of New Obimin

Manufacturer:
United Pharma (Vietnam) Inc, Hamlet No 2, BinhChanh Commune, BinhChanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Under the authority of Westmont Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Marketing Authorization Holder by:
Unam Pharmaceutical (M) Sdn Bhd, 11th Floor, Menara ING, 84 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.

Note: Some people may have adverse reaction to Obimin including headache. Please discontinue taking Obimin. Try Saferon or Ferromed.

FERROMED

Ferromed is what we give to our blood donors. But most blood donors don't need it and don't take it anyway, so we have a surplus of Ferromed which we give away with vitamin B.

Please enquire at Blood Bank, HUSM.

Ferromed